Bday Lunch-Is this Over the Top?

Florida Grillin Girl

It was my friend’s birthday, and I wanted to make a nice lunch for her. We always have the bday lunches at my other friend’s retail store…in the teeny tiny messy backroom. I usually cook the food on the egg and pack it up and take it on the ½ hour drive to the store. I have done this 4-5 times by now. Everyone enjoys it, but I am always looking for ways to kick it up another notch.

I decided to make it a beachy/tropical theme.

Menu

Pork Belly with Bourbon Butter Mop

Shrimp and Scallop Ceviche

Glazed Salmon with a Mango Peach Salsa

Egged Asparagus with Grilled Lemon

Make it Yourself Smore’s Bar

Ok, so the pics of the food in prep of the party – I made the pork belly the day ahead~

Resting~


Sliced and put back on the egg for a few with the Bourbon Butter mopped on~ 


The morning of – the asparagus egging~

Right before leaving the house, the salmon goes on~

GENTLY Egged!

I flipped it, yeah, that move is controversial!

The backroom of the store is such a mess and the pics we take look terrible because of the ugly background, so I decorated it up, so it would look better in pictures.

The Bday girl knew we were having the lunch for her, but the rest was a surprise.  And more people got called to come when they saw what was going on in the back room~

The food:

Every party needs a signature cocktail, so I made Blue Hawaii's.

Bday girl!

For dessert, we made smore’s. In addition to the regular stuff, I brought chocolate covered raisins, fresh strawberries, blue M&M’s, and mini peanut butter cups, along with some chocolate striped cookies to use instead of graham crackers.

All this while the retail store was open for business!

So now my friends are teasing me, saying that I do everything “Over The Top”, but I don’t agree, cause that’s the normal way I do things. I know that many of you go overboard with your cooking, too, so I thought maybe you might agree with me that there is no such thing as over the top!  

Thanks for lookin, friends.

lousubcap

Definitely not over the top since you were the one doing the whole thing.  Obviously you wanted to roll it out there and your friends know your style.  Great menu, cook and party.
Do you cater??  

Eggdicted_Dawgfan

Sorry Girl but I have to agree with your friends. Every meal I've seen you cook for others is over the top and looks amazing. This one is a winner for sure. 

Spaightlabs

What a great and thoughtful gesture for your friend.  Your friends are fortunate to have someone that cares about them so deeply.  Well done!

blasting

You're clearly a good friend to go to all that work.  Nicely done.  Food looks great.

StillH2OEgger

That is definitely going above and beyond, which is why I'm sure it was enjoyed so much by everyone lucky enough to be there. Great work, right there!

pgprescott

Wow! Pretty nice gesture for sure. Bravo!

Focker

Such a nice post Faith.
Call it what you want, but you appreciate good people, and good food, and good times.  What it's all about IMO.  Keep doin' what you're doin'.  

thetrim

Can I please be your friend?  I know we haven't met yet, but I'm right down the road from you! 

This is a great tribute to someone who must be a great friend.

Awesome job!

Florida Grillin Girl

@lousubcap - No catering for me, that would take all the fun out of it!
@Eggdicted_Dawgfan - I was hoping all you crazy people here would agree with me.
@Spaightlabs - So nice of you to say that.
@Blasting - Thanks, it's not really work when you enjoy it.
@StillH2OEgger - Thanks for the compliment.
@pgprescott - Thank you so much.
@Focker - Brandon, it was definitely memorable and a good time for all. Thanks!
@thetrim - You are already my friend. Hopefully, we will cross paths one day soon since we live in the city.

tarheelmatt

I'm really evaluating my friends list right now and it needs an overhaul.  

Brisket_Fanatic

Very cool Faith! You have a heart of gold and it shows through your love of friends and family with "over the top" food.