Restaurant.

Our quality dishes will whet your appetite without putting a dent in your budget.

We can setup your catered event, serve your guests, and clean up. We do the dishes so you won’t have to!

From flatware to flowers, lighting to linens and tables to tunes, everything should complement the food to create a unified overall experience. Continuity is key. You want every aspect to be in sync with each other. For example:

• Does the venue fit the occasion, climate and group size? No matter how lovely the surrounding gardens, you probably wouldn't want to have formally attired guests dining outside in 98-degree weather.

• Does the menu fit the occasion and tastes of the group? For a retirement celebration, where the retiree is getting ready to embark on a 6-month sabbatical in Spain with her spouse, tappas stations would be an inspired idea.

• Does the decor suit the venue and event? White linen, china and crystal stemware might not be the most appropriate table setting for a casual, pool-side barbecue reception. Festive prints, such as blue and white checked tablecloths and matching napkins with plain glass plates and mason jars might be a better fit.

Whether it's a cocktail party for 50 friends or a corporate event for 500, the goal is the same: deeply satisfying the guests.

Meeting the Caterer

A popular mantra in the catering business is "How can I make it happen for you?" For most, this isn't an empty statement. A caterer worth his or her salt (and all the other spices in the spice rack) stands firmly behind this phrase.

After you make contact with a catering firm, the caterer's first job is to figure out what you want and decide how the company can create it for you. This process usually begins with a client-caterer meeting -- sort of like a first date. Whether it happens during the initial phone call or a scheduled appointment, the client services representative wants to get as much information as they can to help them prepare a proposal for you. As a client, you should be ready to answer these questions:

• What is the proposed date and time of the event?
• Is this a social or professional function?
• Do you have a general budget in mind?
• How many guests will attend?
• Have you selected a venue or setting?

Of course, depending on the type of function, other questions can (and should) come into conversation. Keep in mind that this initial discussion is critical because it will be the backbone of the caterer's proposal. So, if you have certain ideas in mind, you need to be as explicit as possible.