Shrimp Boil
A one (big) pot dinner party! Corn, shellfish, and potatoes means you cover all the food groups, too. Serve with: Up the ante with hush puppies, Bloody Marys, and plenty of Old Bay.
Tacos Al Pastor
The greatest taco of all takes time, but it's so worth it. Serve with: Individual seven-layer dips are party-perfect, and there's never a bad time to eat Mexican grilled corn. Don't even think about using bottled "sour mix," just go for real-deal margaritas.
Build-Your-Own Burger Bar
Serve with: The grill's already going, so why not throw on some lettuce for a grilled romaine salad? And nothing goes with a burger like an ice cold Coca-Cola (spike if necessary). Blueberry hand pies to finish.
Bourbon-Glazed Baby Back Ribs
A face full of barbecue sauce is the great equalizer. Serve with: Sop up that extra barbecue sauce with cornbread, and creamy potato salad. Since the bourbon is already open, go ahead and make a big batch of bourbon peach sweet tea.
Grilled Whole Arctic Char
Perfect for a more sophisticated dinner party. Serve with: Grilled fennel is way underrated, and it goes great with fatty fish, and grilled herb potatoes are simple and just flavorful enough. End your meal with boozy popsicles, the most fun after dinner "drink" there is.
Brunch: Riesling & Roquefort Quiche
Invite friends over for casual mid-day brunch and serve quiche with a crisp, refreshing, accessibly priced Washington State Riesling. One of the most versatile, food-friendly whites due to its intrinsic acidity, Riesling can hold its own with the saltiness of the bacon and the overall richness and creaminess of the quiche. Plus, if you're trying to limit the bar cost for the party, hosting during daylight hours is the way to go, click here.
Neighborhood Block-Party: Beaujolais and Burgers
Invite your neighbors over for a casual backyard party with Beaujolais wine and grilled burgers. Beaujolais wines from France (which are much more than just that 'Nouveau' stuff) are a great match for burgers because of their lively acidity, juicy fruitiness, and soft tannins. You can even drink the more youthful Beaujolais a little bit chilled, which is perfect for outdoor summertime sipping.
