Hi All

Having just moved into a 1970's built house still with it's original decor, the OH and I have decided to host a 'retro' dinner party before we redecorate. Any ideas as to what we could serve?

Thought maybe prawn cocktail, cock au vin and pineapple up-side-down cake?

Any more inspiring suggestions for the menu / canapes / what to drink would be much appreciated, thanks!

Vol au vents: chicken and mushroom , tuna and sweetcorn
curried chicken where all the rage.
coronation chicken, steak and chips
Black forest gateau
rose wine - ah memories!

Agree with your starter and main, but would take cranie's suggestion of the Black Forest Gateaux for pud.


Canapés?

Ritz bikkies topped with Philly and pineapple or mandarin (tinned of course)

Toast and caviar ~ always a classic as was smoked salmon.

Pizza had arrived......... just

Sausages on sticks, cheese and pinapple on sticks ~ stuck in a foil covered grapefruit.

Pimms, I know it has made a revival, but it was big in the 70's too, and Campari.

Vol au vents and things on sticks - of course! - had forgotten about those, thanks very much for your suggestions!

What about Babycham? Was that 70's or 80's? (Born in '74 I wasn't into alcohol at the time!)

Babycham,cherry B and pony were all 70's

I don't know if you'll have any beer drinkers at your shindig but if you do you could take a trip to your local offie and ask for Party fours or sevens. and to finish what sounds like a lovely meal you could try and get some Pomagne..

sounds like a great idea ansypansy- seem to remember the wine of the time was blue nun or black tower liebfraumlich - if you could actually bear to drink it - starter of prawn cocktail sounds good or maybe avocado and prawns, also pate with triangles of toast had just started around then - coq au vin is a great idea or steak and chips was the other great favourite - pudding just has to be black forest gateaux as suggested by cranie - oh cranie I remember babycham (we also used to mix brandy in it - one of them and I was anybodys), cherry b and pony - the little drink with the bick kick!! and as Rosti says, cheese and pineapple stuck in the foil covered grapefruit

What a fab idea ansypansy. I would serve prawn cocktail, beef stroganoff or coq au vin fo follow and black forest gateaux to finish. We would drink mateus or black tower if you prefer white. Babycham would be a nice apperatif, especially if you could find those saucer glasses - we used to have some with the little babycham logo on.
We are moving on 18th august to a very 70's house and you have given me a fab idea. I hope you have a super party xx

Thanks all for your suggestions / inspiration - glad I may have provided some too missduck! Hope your move / party goes well too.

Drinks: Grasshopper
Sangria
Tequila Sunrise
Harvey Wallbangers
Daiquiris
Appetizers:Tacos
Swedish Meatballs
Deviled eggs
Cocktail Sausages
Ambrosia Salad
Waldorf Salad

for the guys it was: double diamond, party seven but i dont think you'll find those the equivalent might be - lager shandy or ipa (watered down)
advocat was big in the 70's -
Have a good night anyway

Oh my god, I'd forgotten all about advocaat, we were allowed a little glass when I was young topped up with lemondad and then one of those awful glace cherries on a stick in it - we thought it was heavenly then!!

hi all,
what about crepes and fondue.....hhmmmm chocolate!!!!
have a blast....

hi ansypansy, have you had your party? if so, how did it go and what did you eat / drink. if not, could you let me know how it goes x

Oh I remember! FLAN, you know those big round cake bases (still available in supermarkets) filled with a big circle of peaches and covered in red quick jel and decorated with cream. Don't forget the Spam fritters either - believe it or not these made a come back in my house recently via my kids! I don't know where they got the ideas from I thought they went out with the the David Bowie LP's.

Glorygirl