Real party: rustic chic hunting lodge - Dairy Foods

This holiday party was quite possibly the most fun I had in 2009. It was total perfection. Amazing location (The Saint Paul Hotel), great service, beautiful decor, fun guests (my crazy coworkers), delicious food and a band that kept the dance floor packed all night.

I was in love with the decor; wintry, rustic, chic and totally awesome.

And the menu...oh my goodness.

Hors d’oeuvres
- Brandied Apricots with Cambazola Cheese in Phyllo Cups
- Duck Pate with Cherry Chutney in Edible Savory Spoon
- Bacon Wrapped Scallops

Salad
- Baby Oak Leaf lettuces w/ Zinfandel Poached Pears, Iowa Blue Cheese & Walnut Vinaigrette

Entrees
- Prosciutto-Wrapped Filet of Beef with Barlo Wine Demi & Parmesan-Crusted Salmon served with Truffle-Shallot Risotto
- Chicken Breast Stuffed with Fontina Cheese & Black Forest Ham, Served with Lobster Risotto & Buttered Haricot Verts
- Baked Pastry Dough with Asparagus, Three Cheese Mushroom Ragout and Blue Cheese Cream Sauce

Dessert
- Peach Custard Crumble with Crème Anglaise

I took the photos below with a nice Canon 20d I checked out from work. I had no idea how to use it.

Have I ever mentioned how much I adore crystal chandeliers? The ones at the Saint Paul Hotel are stunning.
The ice luge in the shape of a moose head.

Blue raspberry rock candy. These served as stir sticks / embellishments for the signature drink.

Butler passed hors d'oeuvres.

The cocktail table decor.

Cardboard animal heads!

Bacon-wrapped scallops. I had too many of these.

The signature drink; a white cosmopolitan with blue raspberry rock candy.

The placecard centerpiece was a vase filled with giant curly willow branches with pine cones tied with blue satin ribbon. Pretty! The flowers were designed by Tara from A Day in Provence.

One of three centerpieces. This one consisted of a tree stump charger with 3 cylinder vases of varying height tied with different ribbon/twine. It also had a wooden flower spray painted blue. Inspiration for this centerpiece came from Once Wed, check out this post for more details.

This centerpiece was a birch vase with white chrysanthemums, white feathers and blue ribbon.

Tall birch branches in a pilsner vase, complete with mini, cardboard animal heads.

The awesome photo booth. Photos taken in this booth are typically posted on my company's intranet...um, not this year! HR said no to posting them. Funny.

The pretty salad.

The duet of beef and salmon.

I ate this entire dessert.

It was all so gorgeous, and such a fun night. I can't wait until next year!