Tis the Season for Soirees and Champagne

The holiday season is always the busiest time of year here at Left Coast and this year was no exception! From the first week of December until Christmas Day everyone in our kitchen was going full throttle preparing everything from bacon jam to beautiful holiday cookies (all the while listening to some 90's throwback rock). While we can't feature every holiday soiree, we definitely wanted to highlight Argonaut's cocktail party by the bay.

It was a gloriously still December evening at the Presidio Yacht Club in Sausalito. The Golden Gate Bridge was aglow and matched the warmth that awaited guests inside. This old school venue perfectly matched the 80's themed party with its dark interiors and the crimson Venetian candles set on each table.

The evening began with champagne and St. Germaine cocktails along with a variety of passed appetizers. A light dinner buffet was also set up throughout the night to keep everyone dancing until the early morning. It was such a great party that by last call from the bar nobody wanted to leave! To make sure everyone was taken care of during their ride back, we passed out late night snacks (mini club sandwiches and individual bags of parmesan and black pepper popcorn) for those after midnight munchies.

Menu

Passed appetizers

Arancini di riso – fried risotto balls filled with fontina, rolled in herbs and parmesan

Spinach soufflé stuffed mushroom

Buttermilk fried chicken bites, house made ranch

Potato cups, caramelized onions, bacon, white cheddar, crème fraiche, chives

Stationary appetizers

Classic deviled eggs, mustard, chives

Niman Ranch sliders, blue cheese, balsamic onions, aioli

Gruyere chive gourgeres with bacon jam

Chicken wings tossed with garlic chili herb butter

Swiss chard, goat cheese, leek, savory tartlets

Smoked gouda cheese ball (shaped like a xmas tree) selection of crackers and crostini

Sweets

Chocolate ganache brownie bites with crushed peppermint

Rice krispie treats

Holiday sugar cookies

Late night snacks

Mini club sandwiches

Individual bags of black pepper, parmesan popcorn