Lea Michele [1] celebrated her 28th birthday over the weekend, and to help, Claire Thomas of Kitchy Kitchen [2] devised a veggie-centric menu for the Glee star in her West Hollywood home. Photos and recipes of the appetizers, chocolate devil's food cake, and practically still-bubbling lasagna are not to be missed. Step inside to see how an A-lister dines on her birthday, and re-create the decor and menu for your next party.
Source: Claire Thomas — The Kitchy Kitchen [3], Instagram [4]
Intimate Setting
Lea chose not to have a blowout party. Instead, she and her seven closest friends dined on her backyard patio amid a refined-rustic tablescape.
Kitchy Kitchen
It's no secret that Lea loves her kale, kombucha, and Gwyneth recipes [5]. She added Claire's new cookbook [6] to her collection.
Lea and Claire
Lea stopped to take a snap with the chef of the evening.
Table Setting
Pastel-colored flowers and marigold checkered napkins added brightness to the tablescape.
A Very Happy B-Day
"Tonight's beautiful b-day dinner table . . . So much fun with the most amazing friends and such delicious food! What an amazing birthday!" Lea gushed on her Instagram account.
Special Setting
Claire designated the birthday girl's special spot with blue plates instead of white.
Sangria Blanca
Guests sipped on sangria blanca [7], made from Club W wines [8], white peaches and nectarines, strawberries, and rose syrup.
Take-Home Treat
Just because you're an adult doesn't mean you can't have party favors. Lea's guests took home a package of homemade muffins.
Burrata Platter
Appetizers included a burrata platter with nectarines, arugula, mint, and chilies . . .
Roasted Garlic Crostini
. . . As well as a roasted garlic crostini [9] with sautéed mushrooms and herbs.
First and Second Course
Guests then sipped on spoonfuls of velvety cauliflower brie soup [10](!!!) and passed around heaping bowls of Epic Kale Salad with croutons, raisins, pine nuts, mint, and red wine vinaigrette.
Main Courses
Claire chose two mains for the evening: Mexican Coke carnitas with habanero papaya salsa and burrata roasted tomato lasagna [11].
Finally, the Cake
To end the evening, Lea noshed on chocolate devil's food cake [12] with a chocolate buttercream.
Happy Birthday, Lea!
It looked like a birthday to remember!