Small cocktail party -- hor d'oeuvres and cocktails only

I've been asked to host a small, weekday cocktail party in the fall. Usually I pull this off with no issues but because it's hor d'oeuvres (hot and cold) only (mandate set by the committee), I'm having a bit of trouble figuring out where to get great snacks. When we have our holiday parties, I'm catering for 50+ people in a buffet style setting. It's a MEAL and not snacks. I don't know why this is vexing me so much. It's smaller. You'd think it would be easier. Any advice?

Lots of nice frozen appetizers at Trader Joes!

Thanks lizzie. I LOVE Trader's but wanted something a little more upscale. Besides, I'll be running around like a mad woman and honestly, don't want to cook or heat up anything if I don't have to. Was hoping to pick up several locally made hor d'oeuvres if possible.

Costco carries a nice variety for frozen hor d'oeuvres, don't know if they still do.

I hate to say it's a lot more $$$ than a big buffet! It's been awhile since I checked pricing but we did this for my 40th (Laura catered) and a buffet would have cost a lot less.

Depending on the number of guests you can do a few simple things like shrimp cocktail, veggie and hummus, cheese/nuts/fruit and buy items like a sushi (roll) platter from a local restaurant, something fancier from a caterer. Bakedsome bread, which used to be zen bakery (the place in Orange that makes fresh pita) has some interesting sounding pita squares with veggies, meat, etc. Also, their hummus was probably the best I've ever tasted. (I even think they offer Gluten free stuff now if that's a concern.) I think they go to the farmers market each week.

+1 for Costco's hors d'oeuvres (nice variety); the Millburn Deli makes wonderful crudite platters.

E.V.O Delicassies (across from Short Hills train station) does great hors d'oeurves.

tel:+19734671102

Theme party to the rescue. Dolmas, olives, feta, pita, dips and spreads, pickled vegetables and little spanakopita triangles from the Greek Store in Kenilworth. They sell trays of appetizer-size finger food frozen.

j_r said:
Theme party to the rescue. Dolmas, olives, feta, pita, dips and spreads, pickled vegetables and little spanakopita triangles from the Greek Store in Kenilworth. They sell trays of appetizer-size finger food frozen.

OMG! The dips at the Greek Store are to die for... I think this idea has some serious merit

I still vote for Tarder Joe's at least for some things. They have a really good goat cheese and cartelized onion puff pastry thingies that are delicious and more "upscale". They have mini pecan pies that were also really great. If you are serving hot and cold, won't you have tom heat up no matter where you get them from

And put some haloumi on the grill. And if you absolutely have to have a sweet, some baklava or a cookie tray. I think @marylago and I are free that night. ;^)

@shh, I agree that snacks add up to more pricey than a buffet.

Thanks for all the helpful hints and places to go. Some I've never heard of before so this was very helpful. Keep 'em coming! What I really want to do is set out some bottles of Macallan's and maybe they'd all forget about the food?