Gina: A Tasting for Two

Our client Gina’s big day is still over a year away, but it doesn’t mean we weren’t so excited to meet with her and her fiancé for her wedding tasting last week.  Months before the couple heads up to Saddlerock Winery to exchange their vows, they were wined and dined at Chris’ house in order to try their custom-made menu. 

MENU

FIRST COURSE

Arugula | Roasted Beets | Toasted Almonds | Shaved Reggiano Cheese | Balsamic Vinegar

SECOND COURSE

Orecchiette Pomodoro | Fresh Ricotta | Cherry Tomato | Basil | Extra Virgin Olive Oil

THIRD COURSE

Grilled Sea Bass | Crushed Almonds | Chili Lemon Dressing

Cherry Jam Marinated Chicken | Charred Onions | Olives | Cilantro

Brown Butter Roasted Filet of Beef | Crème de Cassis | Bordelaise Jus

SIDES

Charred Green Beans | Shallots | Lemon | Parsley

Rustic Mashed Potatoes | Shaved Reggiano Cheese

DESSERT BITES

Meyer Lemon Coconut Panna Cotta | Raspberry Compote

Cannoli | Mini Chocolate Chips | Chopped Pistachio | Powdered Sugar

Bittersweet Chocolate Glazed Espresso Brownie Bites | Salted Caramel

Ghiradelli Chocolate Flourless Cake | Orange Segments | Pistachio Dust

Tahitian Vanilla Scented Cheesecake Bites | Wild Raspberry Reduction | Micro Mint

A Birthday in the Hills

Yesterday we found ourselves up in the (West) Hollywood Hills for an intimate birthday party.  Nestled up in the bird streets, this modern concrete house looked like it was taken right out of an architecture spread.  With a glistening pool surrounded by plush lounge furniture and twinkling candles, the scene was set for a fifty person cocktail party for the books.

Guests were greeted by glasses of champagne and a variety of tray passed appetizers, included our Cochinita Pibil Shredded Pork Tacos topped with a crisp Market Slaw and Radish and our BBQ Scented Mary’s Chicken on a crisp Plantain Chip topped with our tangy Pineapple Salsa.  As partygoers left the pool area and ventured into the abode, a full Charcuterie and Cheese spread awaited them.  After an hour and a half, the station switched over and to our Stuffed Mushrooms with a Whipped Lemon Wasabi Ricotta and Chives, our Panko Encrusted Chicken with a Chive Aioli, and our Chipotle Glazed Tiger Prawn Taco and Radish, Market Slaw and Chimichurri drizzle.  Finally we switched over one last time to our desserts and a client provided birthday cake with an impressive sparkler send-off. 

See you at the dinner table,

CBC Team

MENU

 

TRAY PASSED APPETIZERS

BBQ Scented Mary’s Chicken | Plantain Chip | Crisp Pineapple Salsa

Cochinita Pibil Shredded Pork Taco | Crisp Market Slaw | Radish

Slow Braised Short Rib Arancini | Shaved Asiago | Bordelaise Jus | Micro Herbs

Mini Sirloin Sliders | Aged Cheddar | Brioche Buns

Spicy Ahi Tuna Wonton Cup | Ginger | Jalapeno | Avocado Mousse Wasabi Dust

STATIONARY CHEESE & CHARCUTERIE (7:00PM-8:30PM)

Prosciutto | Salami

Creamy Brie | Aged Cheddar | Gorgonzola

Roasted Red Peppers | Marinated Olives

Mustard | Cornichons | Dried Fruit | Jams

Assorted Crackers

STATIONARY TAPAS (8:30PM-9:30PM)

Stuffed Mushroom | Whipped Lemon Wasabi Ricotta | Chives

Panko Crusted Chicken | | Chive Aioli

Chipotle Glazed Tiger Prawn Taco | Crisp Market Slaw | Radish | Chimichurri

STATIONARY DESSERT (9:30PM-10:30PM)

Bittersweet Chocolate Glazed Espresso Brownie Bites | Salted Caramel

Mini Seasonal Fruit Tarts | Sweet Whipped Cream

BIRTHDAY CAKE

BAR

Cocktail 1 | Margarita | Tequila | Cointreau | Lime Juice | Light Simple Syrup

Cocktail 2 | Vodka | St. Germaine | White Cranberry Juice | Lime Juice | Edible Flowers

Tequila | Vodka | Cointreau | St. Germaine

Champagne | White Wine | Beer

Tonic Water | Club Soda | White Cranberry Juice | Lime Juice

Coke | Diet Coke | Sprite  | Flat Water | Sparkling Water

Because You Earned It

We love acts of employee appreciation!  Last night, Studio AD, a company specializing in Creative Event Design, threw a beautiful dinner for their staff.  Normally when we work with corporate clients who are hosting their own event at their place of work, we are confined to a location with little character and ambiance, but not in this case.   With tons of linens, lighting, and décor in house, a small section of the warehouse was transformed into an elegant dining area.  Gold chiavari chairs glistened in the light of flameless candles, as the amber and purple hues of the surrounding uplighting reflected playfully off the sheer white drapery.  The tablescape, simple and upscale, was made up of shades of dark grey with accents of white and gold.

When guests entered, they were greeted by trays of our Slow Braised Short Rib Arancini with a Red Wine Reduction and grated Pecorino Cheese, as well as the favorite Spicy Ahi Tuna Tartare in a Wonton Cup with Sriracha, Ginger, and Wasabi Dust.  After enjoying the hors d’oeuvres and sipping on wine, guests took their seats for a family style dinner that would make even your mother proud.   Sweet Corn Bread with Honey Whipped Butter adorned the table, as Charred Corn and a Baby Spinach Salad accompanied our Seared Branzino and the Grilled Hanger Steak.  Finally, to end on a sweet note, guests were treated to a plated Warm Challah King’s White Chocolate Bread Pudding with Lemon Confit and Salted Caramel.

The evening was a complete success.  The client was happy as we boxed up leftovers and sent them, stomachs full, along their way.

See you at the dinner table,

CBC Team

MENU

 

PASSED APPETIZERS

Challah King’s Black Mission Fig Brie Melt | Caramelized Vidalia Onion | Parsley

Slow Braised Short Rib Arancini | Red Wine Reduction | Grated Pecorino Cheese

Spicy Ahi Tuna Tartare Wonton Cup | Sriracha | Ginger | Wasabi Dust

DINNER – FAMILY STYLE

Corn Bread | Honey Whipped Butter

Baby Spinach | Radicchio | Endive | Crisp Bacon | Candied Pecans | Shallot Dressing

Charred Corn | Wood Roasted Pasilla Chili | Cilantro | Crumbled Feta | Lime Zest

Seared Branzino Filet | Red Wine Reduction | Edible Flower Petals

Grilled Hangar Steak | Sweet Onion | Romesco Sauce

DESSERT – PLATED

Warm Challah King’s White Chocolate Bread Pudding | Lemon Confit | Salted Caramel

BAR

Red Wine | White Wine | Assorted Beer

Spirits | Mixers | Juices

Coke | Diet Coke | Sprite | Sparkling Water | Flat Water 

60th Birthday with a KnockOut Punch

There is no question that Sugar Ray Leonard is a champion.  As one of the greatest boxers of all time, with a career spanning 20 years, Leonard won world titles in five weight divisions and lineal championships in three weight divisions.  Needless to say, when catering his 60th birthday, we knew we couldn’t take it easy.

The event was hosted at a private residence in Beverly Hills.  A beautiful clear-tented canopy, provided by Premiere Party Rents, set the stage, as twinkling lights were draped across the top.  Guests first dined on Plantain Chips, topped with shredded BBQ Scented Chicken and a Pineapple Salsa, and our Black Mission Fig Melt with Caramelized Onions and Parsley, before convening under the tent for a multi-course meal that included plated salads, family style sides and butlered entrees.  A traditional birthday cake and vanilla ice cream closed out the evening. 

See you at the dinner table,

CBC Team

Photo: Maya Myers Photography - @mayamyersphoto

MENU

PASSED APPETIZERS

Baby Artichoke & Sweet Pepper Crostini | White Truffle Oil | Micro Greens

Black Mission Fig Melt | Caramelized Onion | Parsley

Shredded BBQ Scented Chicken | Plantain Chip | Pineapple Salsa

FIRST COURSE: SALAD – PLATED

Oven Roasted Beet Salad | Arugula | Goat Cheese | Walnuts | Red Wine Vinaigrette

Charred Corn & Jalapeno Corn Bread | Honey Butter

Sourdough Bread | Butter | Sea Salt

SECOND COURSE: ENTRÉE – PLATED

Pan Seared Halibut | Truffle Mash Potatoes | Broccolini | Red Wine Sauce | Micro Greens

SECOND COURSE: SIDES – FAMILY STYLE

Southern-Style Buttermilk Marinated Fried Chicken Wings

Mac N Cheese

THIRD COURSE: ENTRÉE – FRENCH SERVICE

Sliced Slow Roasted Filet of Beef | Bordelaise Jus | Sea Sauce  

FOURTH COURSE:  DESSERT

Birthday Cake | Vanilla Ice Cream | Mint

COFFEE SERVICE

Regular Coffee | Decaf Coffee | Hot Tea

BAR

Red Wine | White Wine | Prosecco

Italian Soda | Soft Drinks | Sparkling Water 

Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay...

Two words: Theme Parks & Cars.  Ok, that was actually three words, but it doesn’t make our event for VW any less awesome.  Set on the iconic Santa Monica Pier, which boasts a roller coaster, Ferris wheels, and other rides, this two hundred person event was full of fun and excitement with the unveiling of the VW Atlas.

The event was a conversion of old and new, as antique VW bugs and a vintage VW bus photobooth sat next to the new Atlas model, displayed predominantly on a clean, white stage.  After providing our VIPS with a Cheese & Charcuterie stations earlier in the day, guests walked the pier and marveled at the new car and, of course, all our food!   Besides the passed appetizers and desserts, we had so many food stations set all around the pier, from tacos and hotdogs to cookies and ice cream. 

See you at the dinner table,

CBC Team

 

MENU

PASSED APPETIZERS

Challah King’s Fig Brie Melt | Caramelized Onion | Parsley

Bacon Wrapped Dates | Pineapple | Sriracha Honey Drizzle

Mini Sweet Potato Fry Cup | Heinz 57 | Crushed Sea Salt

Chili Lime Grilled Shrimp Skewer | Avocado Mousse | Micro Herbs

 

FOOD STATIONS 

SURFER DUDE TACO STAND

Grilled White Fish | Chipotle Cream | Crisp Slaw

Pork Carnitas | Picked Pineapple | Coriander

Shredded Chicken | Mango Salsa | Crumbled Queso

Grilled Beef Tacos | Marinated Heirloom Radish | Salsa Verde

Individual Chips | Guacamole | Salsa

CALIFORNIA FARM STAND

Individual Farm Fresh Salads | Quinoa | Market Fruits | Seasonal Ingredients

Butter Lettuce Salad | Avocado | Cucumber | Slide Radish | Pecorino | Citrus Dressing

Roasted Eggplant Carpaccio | Jalapeno | Lemon | Tahini | Clover Honey | Micro Herbs

Baby Arugula Salad | Persian Cucumber | Cherry Tomato | Manchego Cheese | Red Wine Herb Vinaigrette

LONGBOARD STATION

Surfin’ Mac N Cheese | Vidalia Onion | Crisp Bread Crumbs | Jalapenos upon request

Individual California-Style Shrimp Spice Udon Noodle | Green Onion | Micro Greens

Turkey Chili Bowl | Shredded Cheddar Cheese | Spring Onion | Crumbled Corn Bread

Individual Cherry Tomato & Marinated Burrata Salad | Pickled Red Onion | Balsamic Reduction | Micro Basil

CORN DOG & HOT DOG CART

Corn Dog | Turkey Dog | Hebrew National Hot Dog | Tofu Dog

Ketchup | Mustard | Relish | Onion | Sauerkraut | Hot Dog Buns

 

DESSERT STATIONS/CARTS

 

PIER STAND COOKIE CART

Chocolate Chip Cookie | Snickerdoodle Cookie | Oatmeal Raison Cookie

Apothecary Jars | Chocolate Chips | Mini Snickers | Classic Raisons & Oatmeal

PIER STAND FRUIT CART

Blueberries | Strawberries | Raspberries | Blackberries

Chocolate Sauce | Fresh Whipped Cream | Nuts

PIER STAND ICE CREAM CART

Individual Vanilla Cup | Individual Chocolate Cup | Individual Strawberry Cup

Caramel Sauce | Chocolate Sauce | Assorted Nuts | Cherries | Fresh Whipped Cream

TRAY PASSED DESSERTS

Pink Cotton Candy

BAR

FULL BAR

Ketel One Vodka | Bombay Sapphire Gin | Bacardi Reserve Rum | Cuervo  | 1800 Anejo Tequila | Johnnie Walker Black Scotch | Maker’s Mark Bourbon

Heineken | Corona | Amstel Light | Sierra Nevada

Newton Red Label Chardonnay 2014 | Beresford Estate Sauvignon Blanc

Bezinger Cabernet Sauvignon | Beresford Estate Shiraz

Assorted Juices | Sodas | Flat & Sparkling Water

SPECIALTY COCKTAILS

Seaside Sidecar | Cognac | Cointreau | Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice | Orange Peel Garnish

Coastal Blueberry Gin Fizz | Hendrick’s Gin | Muddled Blueberries | Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice | Ginger Beer | Simple Syrup | Club Soda Splash  | Blueberry Garnish