A Beautiful Evening in West Hartford

What a fabulous evening last Saturday was.  The room was dazzling, resplendent with giant white Calla Lilies, white Phalaenopsis Orchids kissed with the barest bit of yellow in their throats, bronze Cymbidium Orchids, white Roses with the slightest hint of pink through them.  Candles, mirrors,” floating” centerpieces, “ghost” chairs on tables clothed in brown faux suede for the adults and a sophisticated lounge for the children and the well heeled guests in blinding jewels and shoes to die for.  This hostess and her mother put their stamp on every aspect of this evening.  I think the menu and the photos speak for themselves.

                                               Adult Stationary Display

Vegetable Satays with Thai Peanut Pesto

Chimichurri Beef Skewers with Chimi Dip

Japanese Sirloin & Scallion Rolls

Portobello Satay with a Rosemary Ginger Dipping Sauce

Skewered Tandoori Chicken with a Cucumber Raita

Carrot Flowers, Radish Roses, Celery Curls and Green Bean Wands

Passed Adult Hors D'oeuvre

                            Watermelon Gazpacho Shots with Minted "Pearls"

Smoked Duck in Chinese Pancakes with Hoisen Sauce

Mini Kugel Bites

Fresh Mozzarella & Grape Tomato Bites with Aged Balsamic

Sushi Skewers

Plated First Course
Salmon Roulade with Gazpacho Cream and Paddlefish Caviar garnish

White Corn Agnolotti with White Truffle Oil and Frizzled Sweet Potato
Baby Greens, Shaved Fennel, Grapes & Dill in Sherry Vinaigrette
Asiago Crouton
A thin slice of Sourdough Ficelle toasted with Asiago Cheese

Plated Main Course
Bistro Steak Goan Style served on full bodied greens with Black Mustard Seed and Tamarind Sauce

Roasted Branzini with Orange Beurre Blanc and garnished with Mango & Hazelnuts

Sautéed Julienne Carrots, Yellow Squash & Haricot Verte

Sweet Green Pea Risotto with Pea Shoots & Mascarpone

Whole Grain Parmesan Crouton

Thinly sliced whole grain Ficelle, toasted with Parmesan Cheese

Bistro Tables for Cocktails

For the tiny tots....

Before the lights went low...

Basking

Room design was Brenda LaManna from Damselfly Designs, photography was by Geoffrey Tischman and of course food service and event planning by Charlotte Berwind Fine Foods, Inc.

Wild in Bedford!

Boy did we have a hot time in the old town last night! Truman had one night to remember at The Bedford Historical Hall. The building was built in 1806, moved to its present location in 1837 by OXEN and became the rallying cry to organize a preservation society. The building has original glass in its windows that in the shimmery lighting used to create the mood was breathtaking.

The invitations were “all access” passes one might find backstage at a concert, complete with lanyards. Guests were greeted by a red carpet, fanciful outdoor lighting making the Historical Hall the backdrop for drama. Once inside, our insiders faced “The Golden Sneaker” cake, which was the secondary theme and golden ladies on pedestals posing as statues. A lounge awaited created by none other than Brenda LaManna of Damselfly Design with entertainment from Dynamic Entertainment that supplied not only the music but signature lighting with Truman’s name emblazoned on the floor, a ton of streamers being shot onto the dance floor from above, photo booths and a funnel cake stand. A tattoo artist waited to put “tats” on guests, photographers were everywhere like paparazzi, the only thing missing was Lady GaGa herself.

Truman’s menu, aside from a complete “virgin bar” had such delectable’s as Mini Matzo Ball Shooters, Mini Yukon Gold Potato Pancakes with Smoked Salmon and Crème Fraiche, Seared Tuna with Avocado in Wonton Cups to name just a few, of course our signature Satay Garden was there and during the cutting of the red velvet Golden Sneaker we served Mini Malted Milk Shake Shots, Deep Fried Chocolate Truffles and Mini Ice Cream Cones on neon lit cigarette girl trays. The adults, viewing this all from their own private lounge located on the balcony enjoyed Rude Cosmopolitans and Fireside cocktails.
What a night!

Link to Bedford Historical Hall: http://www.bedfordhistoricalsociety.org/renting_hall.html
Dynamic Entertainment: http://www.thepartyneverstops.com/
Damselfly Design: http://damselflydesigns.net/

Temple Shearith Israel In Ridgefield, CT

Temple Shearith Israel renovated their event room, The Pavilion, and had a showcase to present the new space to the local community. Event space is very limited in our area and now the community has one more option for their events.

Inquiries can go to this link: http://www.tsiridgefield.org

A congregant took photos of all the vendors and their wares and it has been interesting for me to see how others see our wheatgrass display. Here are some of the photos Jeff B. took.

Celebrate Party Showcase at the Greenwich Hyatt

We had a ball this Sunday at the Celebrate! Showcase (http://www.celebratepartyshowcase.com/) Greenwich Hyatt meeting new friends and strengthening old relationships. This event vendor showcase is one of our favorite things to do; we roll out new ideas, new displays and get immediate feedback from the public. On Sunday, we rolled out our answer to the new economy with décor and food that meets the tightened budget. The Crudité and Satay Garden became a talking point for every person that walked by with most people coming back to get a better look. Just what you want for your event!

If you are planning a major event visiting one of the three showcases this company holds a year is a very good idea. Entertainment, flowers, photographers, venues, décor, cakes, invitations, and all manners of craziness is right there for you to see. Of course we have our favorite vendors whom we like to work with, who we know deliver a top shelf product, but the fit has to be yours.

MitzvahMarket.com is a new resource for all Bar/Bat Mitzvah planning families. Their Website has a unique vendor directory and you can sign up for their free email newsletters filled with clever, useful and entertaining ideas. There is a lot of information on this site and we were lucky enough to be interviewed by creator Sheri Lapidus on why we are regular participants in this showcase. Here is a link to our interview with the Mitzvah Moms :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUCVR3AHxQ4