Quantity vs. Quality

So my sister and I have had the enviable task of scouting out lavish and expensive brunches for my parents anniversary party. The only rule has been that it be a hotel brunch, for the key part of our plan lies in whisking them away in a limo to whatever hotel we have chosen for the night. Then, after they are up in the morning, 25 or so of their closest friends will be down in the lobby to meet them for brunch. Good idea, huh? Of course, it was mine.

We have narrowed it down to two very distinct brunches, each with their own pluses and minuses. The hotels themselves are fairly equal, being actually situated in the same city within a mile of each other. The price, with alcohol included, is the same. Both have ocean views, both would be held outside.

Brunch #1 comes with a small window of availability- only from 8am to 12. Part of us knows that no one is going to want to show up for this thing at 9am, my parents included. Besides, no good party has ever been held really early in the morning, unless it was a continuation from the night before. The reason for the small window is apparently it is only a "breakfast buffet." It does not include the more normal lunch choices that brunches usually have. Hmmmm, can they really bill themselves as a brunch then? But, all the choices are of fairly excellent quality, small as the number is. Bewilderingly enough, they have hardly any "carb" options, such as pancakes, waffles or french toast. There are a few muffins and bagels. They are heavy on the eggs and meat.

Brunch #2 is open from 9am to 3pm, a much larger window. This is appealing so that everyone does not necessarily have to get up at the crack of dawn in order to attend. They have a selection of food almost quadruple that of brunch #1, but the quality is of a much more variant nature. Some things are pretty good, some things are pretty bad, you just have to be willing to win or lose the lottery. They also had a "children's buffet" with PB&J triangles, macaroni and cheese, corn, and the like. Cute touch, there will be 3 under 17 attending. Lots of everything, from sushi to pork, heart shaped waffles to lemon torts. But, it does overlook the pool, and what if there are a million shrieking children? Because as everyone knows, its only cute when your own children are shrieking in the pool, and even then, only about 50 percent of the time.

If you were a guest invited to a similar brunch, would you prefer to have a much larger choice of food, even if the quality of that food was sometimes a bit questionable? Or, would you rather have everything to be of top-notch quality, but few things to choose from?

Hubba-hubba said that sometimes quantity can be a quality unto itself, but I am not fully persuaded... Opinions appreciated.

Comments

Suzanne said…
I'd have to base my decision more on the times of availability.

Folks won't really be there for the food anyway. They are there to celebrate your parents. So who cares if some of the food isn't top notch? Such is the nature of buffets.

Besides, if they've been allowed a later start to the event, they won't be as prone to whine about anything anyway!

Signed,
Not a Morning Person
Cuppa said…
I would rather have fewer choices and great food. One mouthful of something absoutely delicious is much better than 10 average ones.
carmilevy said…
I can't imagine going to a brunch before most people have breakfast on a Sunday morning. So option 1 is out.

I have to agree with Wordsrock: it isn't about the food. It's about simply being there. And lower-quality food is relative. Most folks - especially kids - aren't such aficionados that they'd know the difference. And no restaurant would ever be so low-quality as to serve poisonous food. So "bad" is a relative term.

My choice: have everyone sleep in till the afternoon. They'll be in a better mood, and won't notice the difference in food quality.
Heather Plett said…
Yeah, I'm with Wordsrock and Carmi. I think the time is the critical factor. What happens if people linger - do you have to send them away at 12:00? I'd rather start a little later and have a more leisurely time.

And as a mom, I'm always happy when there are some kid-friendly choices.

So #2 would be my choice.
Melodee said…
I agree with WordsRock, too.

Signed,
Not a Morning Person Either Despite Having to Get Up Early Every Day of My Miserable Life as A Mother
blueyedtracy said…
Even though I am a morning person, I'd have to go with option #2 as well. There's just more flexibility in the time window. . . especially with 25 guests. You are so kind to be doing this for them.
Gina said…
Thanks for the input everyone!

Option #2 it is! We were already kind of leaning that way, but I wanted to make sure there wasn't something I hadn't taken into consideration.

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