[Table top barbecue or plancha]

I have this exact item, and will vouch for recommendation. The salmon and tofu I've done on the grill side have come out excellent, and the pancakes on the flat-top are great too. You can get really great cross-hatch marks on the grill side if you spin your items 45 degrees 1/2 way through.

[Enthusiastic bakers, please help!]

The recipe Easy Homemade Brownies From Scratch  is amazing. I discovered it when I had a serious brownie craving, and only had olive oil to use as a fat. I held a brownie cook off for my co-workers making my classic recipe and that vegan recipe. No one knew which recipe was which (excluding myself, of course), and they both tied for winner. 

[Dinner invitation: to go or not to go]

Your health risk is low because you're vaccinated. So go meet your old friends, enjoy the food and music.

Or send a gift and a card and be done with it. That is not an unreasonable expectation from guests given their dinner is taking place during a pandemic.