Harajuku Cafe

I'm throwing a party this coming weekend; the first real party I have thrown in this apartment. It's a lot of work but I like throwing parties. I like seeing a lot of the people I know all in one place; this really is the thing I like about throwing a party. A person knows many people but how often do they see so many of them in one place. There's also those two people that you know that you think would also be great friends but getting them together is difficult unless you throw a party and they come.

Here is my standard party announcement:

Follow up:

Bring food, wine, things to share--Potlucks are about sharing food and drink, and enjoying the company of people as we gather to give thanks for all the great things we have in our lives. I'll shove a brisket in the oven. If you want to cook, come over early and cook. I will be there because I will be knocking out some gumbo. Yes, GUMBO. Real, Nawlins-style gumbo action.

Remember: ...

1. Red wine is better than white wine.

2. Champagne is better than red wine, but real champagne, not some methode champanois from Lubbock, Texas.

3. Somebody should bring a bottle of tequila and somebody should bring a dozen and a half grapefruit.

4. Somebody should bring a fish to cook.

5. If you don't cook but would like to bring something remember that potlucks are all about sharing and consider getting a pumpkin pie from Costco. A giant bucket of KFC (original recipe--yum!) would be nice, too.

6. Nice bread is good.

7. A green bean casserole would be nice. Green beans are the bomb.

8. I'll have rice on hand.

9. People love cured meat. Proscuitto, salami, capicola, with some cheese-it's all good. Gouda is a great cheese to have on hand.

10. Bring an iPod if you don't like my music.

11. Bring a guitar or keyboard if you want fresh music as opposed to canned.

12. I have an oven with two shelves and a food processor if you want to make things like babaganoush, or other roasted veggie dishes.

13. If someone has a large cooler with which to use for beer, that would be great.

14. Hard alcohol is always welcome as well as Japanese sake. I like Tanqueray.

 

A map to my neighborhood can be found here:

http://www.harajukucafe.com/housemaps/haebangchon.pdf

A map to my home can be found here: http://www.harajukucafe.com/housemaps/housemap.pdf

I live two doors behind Phillies. If you have to call and ask for more directions, keep in mind that you have exact directions and two good maps outlining the whole area while I will have a house full of people and stuff on the stove. Hope to see you there.

I've learned that you can't have too many paper plates. Disposable cups are generally a bad idea because people tend to forget them and leave them all over your home in a variety of places. With real glasses people tend to put them in the sink.

I know that you have to stop and wash dishes every forty-five minutes or so; this pays off in the long run.

A large hunk of protein in the oven is a great thing. Even if it is a potluck you have to have a lot of food onhand. Some people won't bring food but rather bring drinks. They have to be fed as well. I usually have a brisket of about 15 pounds; a large pot of something like chicken afritada, caldereta, or gumbo; some beans in a crockpot; rice; and some mac 'n' cheese. I used to put out dips but they really are a failure, despite the fact that I make a killer tapenade. Who wants a dip with a celery stick when you can get a hunk of beef with some mac 'n' cheese?

Chopsticks as opposed to forks--I don't care if you are in the States or not.

I always have maps available for download so people have exact direction to my home. You will be surprised at how many people cannot find your home with exact directions and a map that places an "X" on your apartment.

I like to have a big pitcher of a beverage on hand. Parties are always more festive if you can hand someone an alcoholic beverage immediately. I know that seems obvious but think about how many parties you've been to where someone immediately hands you a festive-looking beverage?