23rd birthday dinner $1500 15 guests or 1900 20 guests

edpkicf on 06/09/2015 - 22:44

Hi Ozbargain,

I am having a 23rd birthday party, or more a formal sit down dinner. I am planning on inviting around 15 or 20 people, at a cost of either 1500 or 1900 respectively.

This includes a three course menu and around 7 bottles of wine.

Do you think normally this is too much for a 23rd birthday party? (think of it like a 21st birthday party - except I was too busy to have one :/)

The place is quite fancy (it is essentially a room booked out, with a long table) and the three course meal includes (for example:):

MAiN CoUrses

Sea

Seared salmon, braised white bean, sauté chorizo, sauce vierge GF
Baked blue eye cod, prawn & pea mash, choron sauce
Pan fried barramundi, roasted kipfler, tarragon beurre rouge GF,DF

Land

Slow cooked corn fed chicken, field mushrooms, olive mash, thyme jus GF Medium rare beef tenderloin, pont neuf potatoes,
confit cherry truss tomato, sauté speck jus GF
Braised Wagyu beef cheek, roast garlic mash, Dutch carrots, reduction jus GF
Roast duck, baby spinach, sweet potato puree, glazed cherry emulsion GF
Chargrilled lamb rump, Dukkah spiced potato fondant, Rosemary jus GF

ENtrées

Sea
Smoked salmon, marinated prawns, celeriac remoulade, crisp sourdough Seared scallops, green beans, witlof, crisp pancetta,
warm mustard vinaigrette GF
Cured salmon gravlax, pencil asparagus, confit potato, Avruga, brioche crumbs Prawn & chilli ravioli, mild saffron broth, grana padano, herbs

Land
Confit pork belly, cauliflower puree, raisins, shaved fennel, bell radishes GF Char Siu duck, orange segments, candied walnuts GF
Seared lamb loin, grilled red capsicum & zucchini, Minted pea puree & cherry tomatoes GF,DF
Sesame roasted chicken breast, mushroom confit, grilled asparagus & spiced Soba noodles

Thoughts?

Sorry if this is in the wrong section

Food & Grocery

Comments

  • QuickToThePointless on 06/09/2015 - 23:14
    +19

    Sorry if this is in the wrong section

    I think you have the wrong website

  • Heizenberg on 06/09/2015 - 23:14
    +2

    That sounds not too bad, around $100 a head. Think about it this way, if you go to a reasonably fancy restaurant each course is like $25+ and bottles of wine that are like $10 at dan murphys sell for like $30.

    if you order a wagyu steak or lobster or whatever the price of the dish can be like $45, and in this case would easily be over $100 a person (over 3 courses).

    And thats even before drinks. 7 bottles in the price is good, but id be surprised if that was enough for 20 people lol.

    • edpkicf on 07/09/2015 - 21:41

      Oh, how many do you reckon? 10? I don't drink a lot so have no idea…

  • justaverage on 06/09/2015 - 23:18
    +2

    Are you paying for it all or are your guest paying their share?

    • edpkicf on 07/09/2015 - 21:36

      Paying for it all, I guess guests would bring presents too

      • justaverage on 08/09/2015 - 00:19

        Wow as a young person myself i wouldnt fork out that much on a birthday.
        The most I would do is invite them around provide some snacks and all the booze that would be far cheaper.

        • edpkicf on 08/09/2015 - 12:16

          yeah fair enough. However, as I mentioned later on there are some other reasons as well. but I understand so thanks!

  • eatwell365 on 07/09/2015 - 07:24
    +5

    Price wise is about right - 3 courses fine dining. Some may include wine package for 3 hours,

    Thoughts: personal preference - it is your money and you are young,
    you may or may not have reason/s to invite these special guests Important to your life.
    If It is to shout friends just to impress, I would rather go for a holiday with few real buddies.

    One day if you do fine dinning often for business, you would rather stay at home, have Vegemite toast and watch TV.

  • 2jzzzz on 07/09/2015 - 09:34
    +1

    You're paying more than I did for my wedding. And our food was incredible!

    I'd try find a place around $60 a head, then blow the rest on a bar tab. If it really is meant to be like a 21st, all I went to was about drinking. No idea what the food was like.

  • uggugg on 07/09/2015 - 10:48
    +3

    Personally I think it's a little overkill but each to their own.

    At the end of the day I would like to think it's the occasion that should be celebrated, and while that might include good food, it doesn't necessarily have to include great food. In 5, 10 years time, will the guests even remember the food they had or will they be reminiscing about the great edpkicf's great 23rd birthday bash because everyone had a great time in good company.

  • edpkicf on 08/09/2015 - 12:15

    Thank you for the perspectives everyone. I do admit it may be a bit overboard. However, the other factors I am taking into account is that:

    • I didn't have a 21st, or any birthday party (not because I have no friends but because I is always close to exams and I am always quite busy)
    • It is also like a semi-farewell party, I am leaving for another state to work
    • Some of them will be my work colleagues and therefore it is beneficial to have a good start in the same industry where it is very cut throat.
    • Others are family, mentors, very close friends that I really want to thank for all their help and support.
    • Also (semi-related) my finances are not going to take much of a hit with this, but I just want to know how much it is outside of the norm. Also its not like I'm asking my parents to pay for it.

    It will be great company and food. ;) that bit is guaranteed.

    Thanks!

    • samfisher5986 on 09/09/2015 - 11:37
      +1

      Honestly I think unless you parade the menu in your guests faces you could spend a lot less and have people equally as happy.

      Also at that age I think a lot of people will have better memories of the birthday with a wide and plentiful selection of alcoholic drinks. Maybe some fancy cocktails?

      I also think people respond better to a lot of drinks rather then a lot of food.

      • edpkicf on 10/09/2015 - 14:33

        I understand where you're coming from and it does make sense. However the guests are probably not from the same demographic that you have in mind.

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