Tips for reoccuring, family-style dinner parties?

What are your key tips to throwing a good dinner party? What do you do about that one friend who will. not. stop. eating? What do you think is a good price per head for a group meal? How many people do you think is ideal for a good dinner? I love to see my friends, but we all gripe about going out to loud restaurants and paying lots of money. Hey, why don't I just organize a regular "dinner party" with standing invitations? But there's a big difference between throwing a "dinner party" where you impress and astound your guests by having a more put-together life than them and having friends over for a good time. I know this sounds like "being a human 101" but I would really love advice from some more socially adapt, experienced, or older mefights out there.