Coulda invited fewer people to dinner — but a party’s not a party without your posse.

Woulda made a big pot of chili — but didn’t want to jeopardize your five-star hospitality rating.

Shoulda called The Paper Palate, a new catering company — intimate dinner parties are Danielle Steckler’s specialty.

So come up with a theme (how about Vietnamese or Southern comfort?) and she’ll do the rest. And not just food, but flowers, decorations, drinks, and anything else the occasion might call for (like when it requires a Japanese raw bar and her eight-year stint as a sushi chef comes in handy).

Highly trained in several styles (especially French and Asian), Steckler cooks according to season (using organic veggies from her garden whenever possible) and takes the time to do things like infuse vodkas for your signature cocktail and make her raspberry jalapeno jam.

So no more coulda, shoulda, woulda.

You know what you oughta do.

The Paper Palate (310-963-0720 or paperpalate.com).