Party Perfect
Websites make entertaining a snap
August 22, 2008
By Jen Gaffney
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Warm, sunny weather lends itself to so many kinds of parties — barbecues, backyard get-togethers, dinners on the deck, picnics in the park, Fourth of July festivities, you name it. The lazy, laid-back mood is a welcome break after the high-pressure winter holiday season.
You don’t need to be Martha Stewart. All you need to throw a great bash are a few fantastic online resources. Here are some of our favorite sites for tips on cooking, dining out and entertaining.
Epicurious.com calls itself “the site for people who love to eat.” The “My Epi” community gives users free access to all kinds of food-lover features. You can create your own “Recipe Box” to save favorite recipes, upload and share your own recipes, rate and review recipes, and chat with others on the forums who share your interest in food and cooking.
Slashfood.com is a popular blog that covers trends in the food and restaurant industries. It also keeps up with reality shows such as Hell’s Kitchen and Top Chef and provides healthy eating tips. Running features include the “Essential Kitchen,” a series of posts on the best kitchen gadgets on the market, as well as reviews of the “Cookbook of the Day.” The busy blog is updated with a new post 10 to 15 times a day.
FoodNetwork.com is another site with an expansive library of recipes. One particularly useful feature for frequent Food Network viewers is “Find on TV,” an easy way to get the recipe you just saw prepared on one of the network’s programs. If you are entertaining guests for a special occasion, FoodNetwork.com has you covered. Select the kind of party you’re throwing — a bridal shower or housewarming party, for example — to find appropriate dishes and entertaining tips.
Snooth.com, a comprehensive wine database, can help you choose the ideal wine to serve at your next party. Read users’ reviews and ratings and sign up to receive personalized recommendations based on your tastes.
Peapod.com and Safeway.com allow you to do your grocery shopping from home. No need to stress out with a cart in a crowded store! Peapod (Giant’s online home) and Safeway.com both offer a huge inventory and home delivery to simplify your party prep.
Papajohns.com and Dominos.com are the solution when unexpected guests pop in and you need to come up with food quickly. You can order pizza online — all you need are a couple of minutes and a credit card. The Dominos website even allows you to track your pizza so you know exactly when it will arrive at your doorstep.
Localharvest.org is a directory of small farms, farmers’ markets and other local food sources. The site aims to help readers find locally grown food; it also emphasizes the Buy Local movement, which stresses social and economic responsibility when buying food.
Evite.com is the place to go before you throw your dinner party, barbecue or casual get-together. E-mail invitations to your guests using a template to match the party you plan to hold; you can also design your own invitation and track RSVPs to plan how much food you’ll need. If it’s a last-minute event, use Evite Mobile to text message your plans. While you’re visiting Evite, check out its entertaining blog for novel party themes, foods and decor.
BaltimoreRestaurantWeek.com tells you all you need to know about the annual celebration, which begins July 30. If entertaining friends at home isn’t your thing, this is a wonderful way to go. Meaning to try a new restaurant or two but haven’t found the time? By all means take advantage of the fantastic weeklong prix-fixe deals. Three-course dinners at many popular and high-end restaurants will set you back only $30.
OpenTable.com allows you to reserve a table at your favorite spot without the hassle of calling the restaurant. The service is free, and for every reservation you make and keep you earn reward points toward Dining Cheques redeemable at any OpenTable restaurant. Currently there are more than 100 Baltimore-area restaurants listed on the site, with new ones frequently added.
FIQL.com can help you set the mood for your next event with the perfect music. FIQL has thousands of user-uploaded playlists that you can hear for free. The playlists fit every possible theme and occasion and are searchable by genre, mood/tempo or category (for example, dancing, holiday or relaxing).
Now it’s time to pour yourself a margarita and enjoy the warm days we still have left!
