Boston - September 23, 2005

Party Politics

Niche Catour Catering

Things you need to have now that social season is officially underway:

1. Embellished denim. Paris-inspired black. Metallic anything.

2. The best doormen’s numbers, for any A-lists you don’t make.

3. A standing pre-soiree dinner reservation, so you don’t actually have to eat the fried but soggy passed hors d’oeuvres.

Whoa. Back up the party truck. Seems someone wants to help you scratch No. 3 right off the list.

That someone is Barbara Lynch of No. 9 Park, B&G Oysters, and The Butcher Shop fame. Her fourth, just-launched operation is Niche Catour, a catering company that draws directly from the talent — and cult dishes — of her three kitchens.

The spoils of her labor? Full service (including flowers, china — the works) to the most intimate shindig — black-tie blowouts for 300, small dinner parties, and clambakes alike. And the fixings include everything from No. 9’s famed prune-stuffed gnocchi with foie gras to B&G’s silky butterscotch pudding. All coming to a worthy party near you.

Which means you’re going to need to add one more thing to your must-get list:

4. A very good personal trainer.

Niche Catour (617-423-4200 or nichecatour.com).