Planning a little dinner party for 8 on Oscar Night. Festive, yet casual with star-strewn linens, lots of candles, maybe a little extra glitter tossed around.

On the Menu:

Steak Oscar with Filet Mignon and fresh Dungeness crab from Central Market, and fresh asparagus from QFC capped with more than a drizzle of Bernaise sauce.

True Grit roasted potatoes. Russets from QFC scrubbed, peeled and cut into bite size pieces. They are placed in a large rectangle baking dish and tossed with olive oil, Lipton Onion Soup Mix and pepper to taste. Roasted in a 350° oven appox 1 hour until crispy on the outside, soft on the inside.

Biutiful Salad made with a mixed greens of iceberg, baby spinach, Romaine, Arugula tossed with shredded carrot, sliced green onion, tomato wedges and garlic croutons. Choice of Ranch, Blue Cheese or Balsalmic vineagrette.

Wines:  Monte Aribaldo 2007 Dolcetta D’Alba  &  Michele Chiarlo 2008 Barbera D’Asti From the wine selection at Central Market

For dessert how about Red Carpet doughnuts [really Red Velvet] from FROST Doughnuts Evolved in Mill Creek? I hope FROST won’t mind. I love their doughnuts as an alternative to cake or cupcakes. They are so rich and fancy, they shouldn’t just be for breakfast and snacks. Do tell.