Moving for the food--Help me plan my open house

Well, I've done it. I have purchased a house in Albany Park so I can "move for the food" next month(see post below).

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=107024#107024

I'm planning on having an open house once I move and I was going to get take-out from restaurants in my new 'hood.
I'm trying to think of food items which would do well on a cold buffet

So far on the list:

Semiramis-Baba gannoush
Nhu Lan-Bahn mi (maybe vietnamese spring rolls, too)
Brasa Roja-roast chicken
Paradise sushi-some type of roll
Spoon thai (not THAT close to me but I love their food)-Banana blossom salad and Isaan Krok (sausage)

Any other ideas?

Also, I've already been obsessively searching the site so I can compile a list of restaurants 'to try' once I move. But if anyone has good suggestions (esp for dive-y obscure places, taquerias, Chinese) I'd love to hear them.

A thinly sliced fellet of smoked salmon was a big hit at my last cocktail party. I did the slicing. which wasn't difficult (but Dirk's would have done it for me). I thought slicing it just before the party would keep the flavor better. To keep it looking almost whole, I sliced it on the tray I would be seriving it on. I surrounded it with lemon and lime slics and had an assortment of crackers nearby.

The wings from Great Sea immediately jump to mind as a perfect fit for the occasion.

Photo here

Great Sea Restaurant
3254 W Lawrence
(773) 478-9129

Smoked Serbian sausages, cevapcici and meats from Lalich Deli. They will even cook a whole lamb or pig. IMHO they make some of the best smoked pork belly in town.

Lalich Delicatessens
4208 W Lawrence Ave
Chicago, IL 60630
(773) 545-3642

Great idea for a party -- and congratulations on your new place! Here are a few more suggestions:

Spinach pies from Salam

Zaatar bread and olives from Al-Khayam market

Semolina cake and other sweets from Jaafar and/or Nazareth.

These are all FABULOUS suggestions! Thanks so much!!!
I had put Great Seas on my 'neighborhood restaurants to try list'--I've heard such great things about their wings. I think cevapcici would be great on the buffet with some bread from one of the middle eastern bakeries. I was trying to thinking of some good vegetarian suggestions--spinach pies and zaatar bread will definitely fit the bill!

Bravo for your move - it is a great location for food.