Conference turris::cooks

I have seen Fettucine Alfredo served as an appetizer and it has gone over very
well.

Vegetables, I would recommend a Rattatouie (sp??????), which is a combination of
squashes, tomatoes, onions, etc.  Or you can go with a steamed veggie, such 
as broccoli which would go with the chicken, but not with the lasagna, IMHO.

The sorbet sounds great, I would suggest a lemon ice with some piroutte cookies,
nice and light and the lemon willhave a cleansing affect for the palate after
the heavier meal.

If this is a menu you are giving to a restaurant to prepare, I don't know how 
complicated they'll want to get.  But here are some ideas:

How about Chicken Cachiatore (I know I'm spelling this incorrectly) instead of
the parmesan?  It's lots lighter and can have a good assortment of veggies in 
it.

As an alternative to the strictly cheese lasagna, how about vegetarian lasagna
or eggplant parmesan?  Either of these can be served with veggies in the sauce.
Or spinach fettucini, done "primavera" instead of "alfredo"... again, it's a
lot lighter, and has built in veggies. 

Or, you could have the veggies served family style, with an assortment of 
veggies sauteed in a little olive oil and garlic, and then steamed in a bit of
white wine and sprinkled with parmesan cheese.

You might also want to change the bread to garlic bread.

For dessert, there is cannolis, or spumoni, or ricotta cheese cake...

    Good Italian menu...
    
    Antipasto,
    Veal Piccata
      side serving Fettucine Alfredo
    Chocolate covered cannolis
    Espresso,
      after dinner Sambucca
    
    After all, IT IS an special occasion not involving many people like in
    a wedding... and it is once in a lifetime.

    My grandparents (full blooded Italian) had their 60th wedding
    anniversary party at an italian restaurant in a banquet room.  They
    also had stolling musicians singing the old italian songs.  It was
    great!  The menu was:
    
    Antipasto trays on every table when you went in.
    Pizza cut in squares served by waiters walking around
    Salad was served
    Small dish of pasta was served (masticolli)
    Chicken parmasan and vegetables
    Vanilla Ice Cream later
    Wedding Cake
    
    I pigged out!
    
    For a good Italian dessert though I second the Cannolis!!  We make
    these as a special treat at Christmas.
    

    There are many regions of Italy that serve foods that are easy,
    delicious and fairly easy to prepare for a large gathering.  Not all
    Italian meals are pasta with a red gravy (sauce) and meatballs.  
    There are some Northern Italian Restaurants in Central Massachusetts
    that can either help you or you can go and look at their menu to get
    some ideas.  Here are a few of my suggestions:
    
    Asparagas wrapped in Prosciotto
    Stuffed Mushroom Caps
    Steamed Mussels and/or Clams
    Spaghetti with Mushrooms, Garlic and Parsely
    Bake Stuffed Chicken 
    Minestrone
    Bake Stuffed Zucchini
    
    If you prefer a tomatoe sauce you could have:
    
    Lasagna
    Eggplant Parmesan
    Chicken Cacciatora
    
    Fettucini Alfredo - Spinach Lasagna - the list is endless.  Of course
    no matter WHAT kind of food my kids eat - they can eat a ton of
    garlic bread.
    
    I have a cook-book from Italy - region by region - if you would like
    I will bring it in tomorrow and post some more suggestions and/or
    recipes.
    
    

	Thanks for all the suggestions so far.  Since the restaurant
	is not an italian restaurant, I didn't want to have the menu	
	too complicated.  The restaurant has made chicken parmesan
	before as a dinner special so I felt comfortable with this.

	The menu will be:

		Antipasto Salad

		Fettucine Alfredo as an appetizer

		Garlic Bread
		Chicken Parmesan 
		Ziti and Sauce
		Steamed Brocolli

		Lemon Sorbet with Piroette cookies
		Coffee/Tea


	Thanks for all your help.  I may consider the chicken cacciatore
	in place of the parmesan if the restaurant can make it no problem.

	Karen