need creative menu suggestions for bid

I am a NYC caterer bidding on a open house party for a luxury apartment building opening in August approx 150 plus guests - perspective tenants, real estate people, mayor of major CT. town, other VIP

Open house from 5-8pm Passed h-d and some stations. No idea of budget yet - still going thru pre-lims and haven't done a site inspection yet (next week)

I am thinking stations like international quesidilla and probably pasta (since it stretches well)

and other clever ideas. Basically want to use the event to market the idea that they are upscale, innovative, cutting edge. Presentation and unique displays.

I like to do fun things like pass shrimp shooter but instead of cocktail sauce do a shot with Absolut with Caribbean seasonings (really amazing)
Dumplings passed on chinese spoons, etc.
Truck load full of flowering crudite

any other cool ideas you may have used would be appreciated.

You guys should take a look at a website called chowhound.com - it is a foodie site and the message boards are awesome - it is a non professional site - mostly from a customer prospective - but boy do these folks love food and it's a fun place to hang out.

thanks again in advance for your suggestions
also any ideas for food that stretches well - as the final numbers will never be known

here was a reply I've already had from a poster on Catersource.com - another interesting catering website.

"We have always had great luck doing an elegant Dim Sum Station. Set up a buffet with Asian linen, props etc. butane burners, woks and Chinese stacking bamboo steamers. Fill each layer of the staeamers (at the shop!) with napa or bok leaves and pile in assorted handmade little dumplings (peking ravs, shui mai, potstickers etc.). Highly garnish with julienne veggies, dried cranberries, scallions, black sesame etc. and steam right at the buffet, removing the layers as guests finish them off. Have plenty of chopsticks and unusual dipping sauces."

quesidillas

hey dude - cute retro idea but doesn't quite cut it for this type of event. Here's another one that you might want to try that is excellent and rather retro - I call it American Gigilio Quesidilla - since you use american cheese, crumbled bacon, sliced ripe tomato and scallion melted into a tomato flour tortilla. American cheese is one of those foods that
a. tastes good melted
b. tastes good with bacon
c. people hate to admit they eat

Oh thanks for the reply -

sounds like a great all american bbq and if you break it down to smaller components - some of it might make for some h'd ideas or even a mini station - eg a mussels marinara or clambake station - but please re-read my post - this is an open house and most people are going to pop in and out - need to do this on a reasonable budget and for mini sized portions but lots of them. And believe it or not you can have fru fru food that tastes good and looks good too.

I am looking for h-d and station ideas that are out of the box. Think outside the bun...

Your menu would be great for the ultimate tailgate party...

P.S. You might want to re-read your replies all over the board -because they are all a bit edgy - and while you may not mean to be offensive to anyone when I read your response to me and others I found you seem to be talking down and it was not fun, productive or helpful.

"Not exotic, not expensive, not neurotic, not fab-chic, but good for the time of year."

that seems to imply that my clients are looking for something neurotic and fab chic

and by the way - as for not expensive - where do you shop and what size portions do you give - because the menu you suggested is by no means inexpensive...

not goofy at all - her early books are full of great ideas too - just don't trust the actual recipes...

If possible, can you email me some recipes - I like your suggestions - like what is the spicy tomato jam - is it like a tapenade or a thick tomato paste?

Risotto cakes or polenta too-

Have you ever used h-d made by Dufour - they are local in NY and I use them on large events to suplement - they have a yummy truffle mushroom risotto in filo - reasonably priced too (at least here in NYC where we get direct distribution from them)

Over the years I've become business friendly with their main sales guy - Jon - so tell him I sent you. We're not a big customer as we are a little business but we are loyal and I always recommend them as they have good and even great products at reasonable prices and it seems homemade...