What is your go to meal when trying to impress a group of 8-10?

Seafood gumbo...with no tomatoes.

I've got a group of 12+ coming tommorow. It's fried catfish, cheeseburgers, Capri suns, Popsicles and cookie cake. Hope it does trick

Is if for business or personal? Out of towners or locals? Romantic or casual?

Brisket or pulled pork with homemade sides.

Pizza and Beer

Salmon, red potatoes, salad

Fried catfish

Mutton Biriyani, Chicken curry, raita.

How impressed are we talking? I think we need more info.

My first thought would be to look up the Lobster Man that has been talked about here, the prices I remember were ridiculously reasonable.

Besides that and on the higher end, Osso Bucco with grits or polenta. If you don't want to drop the dime on veal, you can spend less money and do it with pork shanks.

Braised short ribs with red wine served, again, with grits or polenta are usually a crowd pleaser.

Fish can be a safe choice, enjoy your extensive local varieties or be different. Cod is pretty inexpensive and delicious blackened. You can also spend some coin with Halibut steaks but it's expensive as hell. Staying on the different side but less money would be Dover Sole. Both of these are delicate and just need a little butter/ olive oil, salt, pepper, fresh herbs, lemon, and a quick grill/ bake.

We don't know what you're going for here. You've got to think about your audience and what they would want. I've found that people worth impressing will be happy with anything you serve as long as you spent some time and care it.