A Night in Havana

One of our favorite parties was our brother-in-law’s 60th birthday. Our older sister wanted to throw her husband a special surprise party in their beautiful home. After several weeks of brainstorming, we decided on an elegant 1950s Havana themed party. We thought it would be fun to bring Cuba to Montclair, New Jersey!

Since the party was taking place in the garden area, we incorporated lots of natural colors. We selected tan and chocolate linens for the dining tables and cocktail tables. We added pops of color with turquoise napkins and LED lighting. We printed custom menus featuring the guest of honor and placed chocolate cigars at each place setting.

Bartlett’s Greenhouses & Florist created STUNNING centerpieces. Each table had a unique floral arrangement, which was accented by cigar boxes and coffee beans. We named the tables after popular Cuban cigar brands: Partagás, Cohiba, H. Upmann, Hoyo De Monterrey, Romeo y Julieta and Montecristo.

Guests were asked to dress in 1950s Havana attire. The ladies wore festive fall dresses while the gentlemen sported panana hats. Guests sipped on delicious mojitos while they waited for the guest of honor to arrive.

CulinAriane created a delicious Cuban inspired menu. Amanti Vino, our favorite wine shop in Montclair, paired each course with a wine. Mother Mousse baked the amazing Latin dessert:

Hors D’oeuvres: Empanadas, Corn Fritters, Mini Cuban Sandwiches and Chicken Salad Tostadas

First Course: Rock Shrimp Ceviche

Second Course: Salad with Jicama, Grilled Peaches and Toasted Almonds

Third Course: Lamb Top Sirloin with Cuban Potato Stuffed Eggplant, Cumin Carrot Puree and Lamb Jus

Fourth Course: Tres Leches Cake

A Havana party is not complete without real cigars, which were enjoyed at the end of the night. Guests departed with a chocolate cigar to remember the amazing evening celebrating Brian’s 60th!

https://www.twinspirational.com/a-night-in-havana/

• What People Ate

  CulinAriane created a delicious Cuban inspired menu. Amanti Vino, our favorite wine shop in Montclair, paired each course with a wine. Hors D’oeuvres: Empanadas, Corn Fritters, Mini Cuban Sandwiches and Chicken Salad Tostadas First Course: Rock Shrimp Ceviche Second Course: Salad with Jicama, Grilled Peaches and Toasted Almonds Third Course: Lamb Top Sirloin with Cuban Potato Stuffed Eggplant, Cumin Carrot Puree and Lamb Jus Fourth Course: Tres Leches Cake A Havana party is not complete without real cigars, which were enjoyed at the end of the night.

• What People Drank

  Mojitos, Red and White Wine.

• Desserts

  Mother Mousse baked the amazing Latin dessert: Tres Leches Cake

• Party Favors

  Guests departed with a chocolate cigar to remember the amazing evening celebrating Brian’s 60th!

• Chef Ariane Duarte and Michael Duarte

  Caterer

  https://www.arianekb.com

• Bartlett’s Greenhouses & Florist

  Florist

• Chocolate Impressions

  Party Favors

• Mother Mousse

  Cake designer

• Rebecca Kestenbaum Photography

  Photographer