The morning started out with Ian telling me that we had a personal chef coming over to prepare dinner for us at our friends' home. He did such a great job of researching local chefs and getting a menu selected... all as a surprise. Our friends were so gracious to open their home for this awesome dinner and had the dining room set up beautifully.
I was originally planning to wear a dress but ended up going with a favorite (non-maternity) top and some black satin capris.
This group ... I just love them so much. We had five couples for dinner and it was such a perfect way to end 2013.
The dinner was prepared by Chef Garrett Tallent at Bon Vivant Culinary. Chef Tallent and his sous-chef Chad were extremely professional and friendly. They refilled our cocktails and wine (and sparkling cider) and kept the kitchen clean and tidy while preparing an absolute feast. Menus were at each place setting describing each of the four courses. Chef Tallent and Chad also came to the table to present each course, describing it and seeing if there was anything we needed.
We started off with Maine lobster ravioli ...
... and then made our way to a beet salad ...
... and ended up with sorghum-glazed pork tenderloin with hoppin' john and collard greens with an onion marmalade.
Oh my goodness ... it was all so delicious. And as we ate and chatted, Chef Tallent and Chad washed all of the dishes and had the kitchen sparkling again. These guys were absolutely on it.
Dessert was a course that we went light on, but boy were these little tartlets tasty!
We will most definitely be using Bon Vivant again! If you are in or around Charlotte, I can't recommend this company enough. Everyone decided unanimously that we'll go this route for New Years next year, too!
Before midnight, we headed out to the patio and got ready for the countdown to midnight! I was thrilled that I made it this late ... especially with Welch's sparkling grape juice as my drink of choice (which hasn't been a part of my New Years tradition since I was 20 ... or 17 if we are really being honest, haha).
We all counted down together as the ball dropped, and we ended the night with smooches and hugs! I know 2014 will be a great one filled with a lot of new adventures. I can't think of a better way to ring in the new year!
a personal chef? awesome! and in the picture where your husband is dipping you, you can just tell he adores you! www.wearflowersinyourhair.com
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun idea!!! Filing this away in my Dinner Parties I Want To Host Someday folder :)
ReplyDeleteWe did a 'house party' also. I wore my new Lilly sweater that says "Tipsy" on it... and I ended up being just that! Happy New Year, or birthday, depending on which you want it to be! xx
What a fabulous idea - instead of you and your husband prepping and being in the kitchen - someone else does all the work so you can enjoy your company!!! Brilliant!! And the photo quality is just wonderful - seems like the new lens is coming in handy!! Wonderful start to your 2014!
ReplyDeletesuch a great idea! i'm definitely stealing this one for a future party.
ReplyDeleteany chance you can find out where your friend got her pretty brass orb chandelier? i love it!
ah so fun! the food looks so great! xo
ReplyDeleteThat dinner looks delicious, and I'm loving the pics with your new lens...I think I need one!
ReplyDeletegreat post! it looks like it was a fun evening!
ReplyDeleteThat is the perfect way to ring in a new year! Love this. And your 'full' pictures are too cute :)
ReplyDeleteSo fun! How far in advance did Ian have to book this for NYE???
ReplyDeleteYou look stunning! What a wonderful intimate idea among great friends, looks like yall had such a good time!
ReplyDeleteYou attend the best celebrations and parties! Your husband is a genius.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun evening! I absolutely love the group photo, the way your husband is looking at you <3
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fabulous NYE tradition!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet hubby, love this!! Happy 2014!
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What a great way to ring in the new year!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds fabulous! What an amazing way to ring in 2014!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! How creative and sweet of Ian. Those pictures are great and you can tell that it was a fun night and you were surrounded by love and joy.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome surprise and great night with friends!!
ReplyDeletewhat a fancy and perfect NYE!!! a personal chef is definitely the way to go! Great start to 2014! xo
ReplyDeleteLove the candid pics! The second photo, group pic is adorable, love the way he's dipping you! What a great NYE celebration, one I must try.
ReplyDeleteLooks like such a great time! What an awesome idea with having a chef! Looked delicious! :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like such a wonderful idea! I love the fact that y'all were able to stay in but still have a nice dinner with all your friends!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like the perfect way to ring in the New Year!
ReplyDeleteOh la la, you guys are so fancy!!! That personal chef sounds like such an AWESOME idea!! And love those sparkly gold shoes! You're such a fashionable prego!!
ReplyDeleteYour NYE sounds amazing! What a wonderful way to ring in the New Year!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lovely time! Such a good idea!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you all had a great time. I love top and you looked beautiful!
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Looks like lots of fun! Happy New Year, ericasrunningjourney.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteWow, what a great idea!!
ReplyDeleteYou looked gorgeous, love the pic of your hubby dipping you. So cute!
sounds like so much fun!! you look gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! You looked perfect!
ReplyDeleteYou are adorable friend! Such a great idea for NYE!!! xoxo!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun New Years...go Ian for planning the chef!
ReplyDeleteYour friends home is gorgeous, too, by the way!
Sounds like so much fun! I love private chefs- they're always amazing. Good job on making it past midnight when I was pregnant last NYE I was in bed by 10pm but made up for it this year :)
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