Winter Toyland Holiday Dinner

Remember the joy of childhood when you eagerly unwrapped that special holiday toy you'd been hoping for?

Or, perhaps there was a year when your holiday -- be it Christmas or Hanukkah or any other special day -- wasn't as rich because times were leaner.

This year we'll have the opportunity to make sure the first sort of memory is the kind local underprivileged or unfortunate kids have.

Each of us attending the annual Terrace Holiday Party on Sunday, Dec. 14, is asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy. We'll collect them and make sure they are delivered to local charities serving families in time for that special morning.

As for our traditional gift exchange, everyone who brings a present will get a present.

By the way, it's not too early to e-mail or call event chairperson April Dowd (238-1950 or april_dowd@yahoo.com) with your reservation for the party. Here are the details and the menu. Please pick one entree and let April know when you make your reservation.

What: Winter Toyland Holiday Dinner
When: Sunday, December 14, 4:30 p.m.
Where: The Epicurean, Route 7, Raymertown
How Much: $35 per person (excludes tax and gratuity)
Reservation Deadline: December 2

THE MENU

For the cocktail hour: European Sideboard

• Cash wine bar

• Feuilletés d’Escargots
Warm, light puffed pastries filled with escargots

• Fromages Artisanaux & Pâté du Chef
Assortment of farmstead cheeses & chef’s artisanal pâté served with French bread & crackers

• Spécialités du Chef ~ Senteurs de Provence
Four Provençal sauces -- aïoli, tapenade, pistou & tartare -- served with fresh seasonal vegetables & toasted French bread

• Calamar à la Provençale
Sautéed calamari with tomatoes & garlic in a white wine reduction

Dinner

• Veal Oscar
Pan-seared veal scaloppini served over rice with crab meat, asparagus and a zesty lemon Hollandaise sauce

• Suprême de Volaille en Roulade
Roasted chicken breast stuffed with tomatoes and basil, served with white wine sauce, sautéed cabbage, carrot and onion

Salade de mesclun

Delicate field green salad served with 12-year-old balsamic vinaigrette

Dessert

• Gâteau au Chocolat
Chocolate flourless cake served with fruit coulis, Epicurean coffee or Harney teas