"The Baron's Hospitality!"
by Nymme

In the last issue, we discussed how to begin planning your event. Who to invite and where to hold your party were two of the issues we entertained. We also took a look at various menus that could be planned with food from in and around Crossing. This time we shall peek into the many kitchens in and around Langenfirth, Therenborough, and Riverhaven. Remember that if it's time to plan that romantic picnic in Therenborough, you should prepare a meal that is appropriate for the type of setting you will be in. If instead of a casual picnic, you know that the Baron or perhaps Lord Hedeon will be gracing your party, you need to ensure that only the best foods are served. There are many excellent catering choices available throughout these fine towns for any type of party that you plan on holding.

For those of you who plan on having formal events in the near future, the variety and number of catering choices obtainable seems limitless. Major parties like a wedding reception, an awards ceremony, or a formal dance require much planning. Usually there are appetizers available before the meal, a salad, an entrée, a main course, and finally a dessert course. Let's take a look at some menu ideas with this idea in mind.

Appetizers abound in Theren. I suggest starting with bacon-wrapped pheasant pate on butter crostini. It simply melts in your mouth and can be found in Telomin Hall in Therenborough's Northeast quadrant. The Baron's Table offers some stuffed glayskers that are filled with cheese and herbs, an exquisite blend of tastes that will leave a smile on every guest's face. If you are planning your party in Riverhaven, or you don't mind sending for food, you might start with the cheese croquettes from Lokthal's Bakery Shop. They are baked on site and are quite light and delectable.

When you move onto the salad course, Telomin Hall also has an excellent spinach salad served with grapefruit segments and avocado slices. It is a cool and satisfying start to any meal. If spinach does not appeal to you, I suggest trying the green tomato chutney served at the Keep itself, a tad spicy but delicious nonetheless.

For an entrée, try the scrumptious oyster and artichoke soup served again at Telomin Hall, or perhaps the peapod potage at the Baron's Table. This creamy soup has a hint of mint and is quite cool and satisfying. Riverhaven offer oxtail soup from the Saltfisher Inn. It is has a mild flavor that is delicious.

You have many choices for your main course. If you prefer meat, you might sample the spice crusted beef, a filet is coated in cardamon and peppers. It is quite spicy and very satisfying. If you prefer a lighter meal, you can try the saffron grilled swordfish, which is marinated in lime and saffron, a light meal with subtle flavoring. Both of these courses are found at the Baron's Table. The Saltfisher Inn in Haven offers us barbecued spareribs that have a spicy flavor that tempts the palate.

As you move onto dessert, there are many delectable choices throughout Theren, and even more in Riverhaven. Sweet Delights near the Therenborough quadrangle offers a sinfully delectable caramel buttercream cake. If you prefer something lighter, consider their lemon raspberry torte. Lokthal's Bakery Shop makes S'Kra fig pastries that melt in one's mouth and a chocolate walnut torte that is to die for.

For a simple gathering of friends, the menu is usually less formal than that which we've just considered, though if you plan a sit-down meal, there are still some conventions to follow. These usually include an appetizer before the meal, a soup or salad course, the main course, and dessert. With this in mind, let’s take a look at some menu choices for the more formal event.

There are many choices available to you in this fine area. For pre-dinner hors d'oeuvres, I would suggest the green-veined gruenyel cheese and nut canapés served at Telomin Hall. Therenborough also offers a choice that other cities do not. The Wycliffe Harvest Market has a fine selection of fresh vegetables that would make up a wonderful vegetable tray. Peppers, celery, carrots, and radishes are a few of their wares. In Riverhaven you might start the meal with a selection of seed-cakes from Noot's Teahouse or some of the cheesy cornsticks from Lokthal's Bakery. The seed-cakes are very aromatic and tasty, while the cornsticks meld cheese and corn in a manner that will leave your guests wanting more.

Then I suggest starting your meal with the savory and spicy swordfish ragout served at the Keep. Its hearty flavorings are a great foundation of any meal. For a main course that will delight and surprise your guests, I heartily recommend the stuffed leeks from the Baron's Table. The mild flavor of the leeks sets off the pork while the spicy seasoning of the ginger completes the package. If you prefer a heartier main course, try the pan-seared squab, also from the Baron's table, served with carrots and black olives. A wonderful surprise in Riverhaven is the roasted turkey leg from the Saltfisher Inn. It is done to perfection and is simply delightful.

Finish off the meal with delectable strawberry shortcake from Sweet Delights; the ripe berries in their sauce complement the light and fluffy shortcake on which they are presented. For a lighter choice, the Baron's Table has a pear and custard tart served with a light raspberry sauce that simply melts on the tongue. The rum-glazed cream puff from the bakery in Haven is yummy, gooey, and sweet. . .an excellent choice to end the meal.

If a picnic is more to your taste, you have an indefinite number of choices that you can make. The first thing you might want to know is that the Fish Market in Langenfirth sells a picnic basket, not as fancy as those found elsewhere in Elanthia, but very useful. If a casual picnic is what you wish, I suggest you start at the Fish Market. Fill your basket with one of the proprietor's warm bread loaves, a mild cheese wheel, and for the brave, the home brew and the berry wine he sells there. Then run back to Theren and add a serving or two of the fish bisque from the Baron's table. For dessert, snatch up the honey-dipped melon and some plump purple grapes from the Keep.

For a romantic meal for two, you might want to fill the basket with cheese bread and honey-glazed duck breast from the Baron's Table, some crispy salmon croquettes, some long stemmed chocolate dipped strawberries, elven chocolate, and do not forget the champagne!

If you want a picnic that is just fun and has truly no rhyme or reason, here is a good menu to try. Grab your basket and these items to fill it: brown soda Bread (The Baron's Table), cheese wheel (Fish Market), dried apple-rings (Theren General Store), boiled boobrie egg (Langenfirth's Inn), grilled pike fish (Langenfirth's Inn), a honeycomb (Harvest Market), and some cream-topped gingerbread (Sweet Delights). For those picnicking in Haven, I found a crispy fried chicken at the Saltfisher Inn that is simply quite delicious. Combine that with their potato dumplings that will melt on your tongue. Finish the meal with either the delectable butter cookies from Noot's Teahouse or the crisp molasses wafers that are not only crunchy but also sweet!

I have yet to mention beverages for the meals. Each of the meals has one thing in common; they all will go well with the same beverages. The Keep has some first-rate elven wine and tasty champagne. If ale is more to your liking, try the Vykathi ale from the bar next to the fir tree in Langenfirth. The Saltfisher Inn in Haven offers a few nice drinks. The dark rum is very smooth and pleasant, while their Saltfisher Suds is quite effervescent and tickles your throat and tongue. Sweet Delights in Theren has a wonderful Arthe Dale mocha that will simply cap off any meal, or if you prefer a coffee that is richer but not as sweet, try the Therengian Roast. Noot's Teahouse in Riverhaven offers five varieties of tea, at least one to tempt most people. If you like sweet teas, try the Taffleberry, but for something more relaxing, their Bea Balm Tea is what you are looking for.

Food is a delight that brings people together and allows friends and family time to bond. Try not to always treat it as something that simply sustains you, and take pleasure in creating a meal for yourself and those that you care about. If you have never been on a picnic, I highly recommend that you try one! You will be surprised at how much fun you will all have.

Until next time, this is Nymme saying, Sann Sawra'!