​We've never fully understood the need for cookbooks dedicated solely to miniature versions of foods, like Peter Callahan's soon-to-be-released Bite by Bite: 100 Stylish Little Plates You Can Make For Any Party.

Then again, we're not big city caterers (Callahan's namesake catering company is based in New York City), so we don't spend our days dreaming up tiny "chipwich lollipops" (vanilla ice cream sandwiched between two mini chocolate chip cookies on a stick) to please the pickiest tiara-wearing toddlers or petite "caviar spoons and vodka" bites (homemade Gruyère cracker "spoons" with caviar and a side of vodka shots) to satisfy their Real Housewives moms. Yeah, those shots are probably a wise move.

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Kinfolk Magazine

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Martha Stewart will tell you how to make a frilly, cream-colored wedding bouquet and prepare shrimp salad tea sandwiches for twenty. Set to publish its first issue in July, the new Kinfolk Magazine takes a more relaxed approach to entertaining, offering articles and photographs that aim to naturally and subtly enhance small gatherings of family and friends, not put a host through the ringer. If there's an overarching principle, it's that a truly good time is defined by the people who share it and the way they're brought together, and often benefits from a lack of structure. In other words, a cold night + lasagne bolognese on paper plates + comfortable couches + a deep record collection > place-settings + perfectly folded napkins + a six-course meal + a string quartet.

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Flickr/burningkarma

holiday buffet

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That glass of bubbly got you in an ebullient mood, so you invited 20 people to your place for a little holiday party. Don't panic, experts are here to help. Just think of your gathering like a theatrical production -- plus food -- and you'll have a better go at it.

That's how Lisa Field, a former theater major and founder of Catering by Field, approaches her catering gigs. Field, who created the "country food" menu for Britney Spears' wedding to Kevin Federline, offers other tips for holiday entertaining. 10 tips for party planning, after the jump:

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As celebrities and the Hollywood elite nibble on Wolfgang Puck's feast at the official Governors Ball after-party this Sunday, you can also partake in Oscar-worthy boozing and dining at a restaurant of your choice. Or you can stay home shouting off-the-cuff remarks at your television screen. If you're throwing your own Oscar bash, and were quick enough to enter Brooke Brook's Cupcake Caps contest, which ended earlier this afternoon, you'll have two dozen more Academy Award themed cupcakes than the rest of us. Watch Wolfgang Puck prepare for the upcoming Oscar meal and find a round up of viewing parties after the jump.

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Love is a wonderful thing, but when more than one-quarter of all Americans jockey for a dinner reservation on Valentine's Day, its reason enough to celebrate romance in the comfort of your home. Though we're the first to admit our affection for restaurants, Valentine's Day may be the one holiday we'd rather avoid our favorite eateries.

Turn the page for Squid Ink's Top Ten reasons why you should avoid booking a Valentine's Day dinner reservation. (With all apologies to our many favorite L.A. restaurants.)

Grant Palmer, from the LAW Flickr Pool

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New Orleans wasn't the only team that earned a hard fought victory on Sunday. While the Saints stomped the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV, nearly 40 men and women faced off in a crueler and definitely more gut-busting competition: Guac Bowl X. (Or is that Guac Bowl IX? No one knows for sure.) Year after year, these gladiators put their bodies, their pride, on the line. Why? Because the only thing sweeter than watching Peyton Manning weep on national TV is watching him do it with your mouth full of guacamole.

Robert Takata

Co-creator Greg Steele dispenses guacamole from his Icarus Award winner, GWAR-camole, at Guac Bowl 2010

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courtesy of Guac Bowl

Rob Saccenti stands next to his creation, He's No Guac To Me Dead

​How do you top a life-size facsimile of Han Solo frozen in guacamole? Or a homemade Ms. Pac Man arcade table blanketed in avocado, its maze dotted with habanero energizers, ghost-shaped tortilla chips and food prizes at the bottom? You don't.

Last year's Guac Bowl, reached spectacular, dizzying -- some would say ridiculous -- heights. After years of elaborate failed attempts, contest organizer Adam Pava finally won his first award for Best Presentation with his Ms. Guac Man entry. He bested his friend and chief rival, art director Rob Saccenti, who conceived and built He's No Guac To Me Dead a.k.a. Guac Solo.

Now in its ninth or perhaps tenth year (records are spotty on Guac Bowl's genesis), what started as a casual bet between friends has evolved into a fierce annual competition held every Super Bowl Sunday.

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​Dom, Veuve. Perfect toastables if your '09 funds have lingering residuals for the French, bubbly and decadent. Not so perfect if you're looking for something to squeeze into your budget.

So, what's the alternative for revelers looking to keep it at or under 20? Sparkling wines. Wines produced using various grapes (usually a blend of two), carbonated via a carbon dioxide infusing process, either by traditional Champagne method (who said copying was off limits? It's like Jimmy Choo for H&M -- if the shoe fits), the Charmot method or straight up carbon dioxide injections. In France, they are known as Cremants, in Italy, Proseccos, in Spain, Cavas, and in the USA, it's kind of whatever we new world wine rebels name it. Some, except wineries dedicated to vinicultural judiciary systems, actually pirate the name champagne. Shhhhh. See, the namesake Champagne relates to it's place of origin, which is only found in one place; Champagne, France.

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The deeper we get into November, the more the mind reels with thoughts of the holidays, entertaining, and social obligations. If the idea of throwing a party appeals to you, but the idea of preparing, cooking, and cleaning up after a soiree gives you pause, we offer you this alphabetical list of Top 10 private dining rooms in Los Angeles.

Whether you're hosting the party at the restaurant or organizing a large group get together, be sure to understand the costs of the event and requirements up front. Large parties--regardless of how careful you are--cost more than a usual night out. Private dining rooms often have their own set of charges to consider and budget for. Be sure to ask about room charges, food and beverage minimums, alcohol costs, and booking fees. And remember, all of those charges rarely include tax or tip.

If picking up the entire tab yourself isn't possible, be sure to ask your guests to bring plenty of cash. Splitting a check twelve ways at the end of a party isn't advised (especially if your server looks like they could break you in half with their bare hands).

Campanile Restaurant

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The last time Angelenos had something to celebrate on September 9, '09 was one hundred years ago today when the Santa Monica Municipal Pier first opened to the public. Ever since its beginning, the 1,600-foot-long concrete pier has been popular with tourists, fishermen, and hungry locals.

To celebrate the "pleasure pier's" centennial, the city of Santa Monica is hosting numerous events this evening including a fireworks display and musical performances by The Big Bamboo Steel Band and the "king of surf guitar," Dick Dale. Hungry visitors are invited to picnic on the beach or visit one of the many restaurants on the pier to watch this evening's firework display at 8:50 PM.

Between the ocean-side amusement rides and trinket stands, there are plenty of eating options that range from gourmet to gut wrenching. Dining choices on the pier include food court fare from Harbor Grill, shrimp and ribs from Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, crustaceans from The Lobster, funnel cakes from the Funnel Cake Factory, and something called Dippin' Dots--an ice cream served in the form of day-glow beads. If a self-catered beach picnic is more your speed, we suggest a stop at Bay City's Deli for basket essentials or just get a Godmother sandwich to go.

City of Santa Monica

Santa Monica Pier, circa 1909

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