Beverage

April 12, 2013

Lobster Rolls in Washington

New York-based Luke’s Lobster has arrived in Georgetown. The seafood purveyor’s namesake lobster rolls, along with its crab rolls, shrimp rolls, chowders, and new menu additions like the Blue Monster blueberry ice cream sandwich, are available for in-house events at the two-story restaurant, as well as for delivery in the area with orders of $200 or more.

Photo: Courtesy of Luke's Lobster

Vietnamese Sandwiches in Washington

Vietnamese-inspired eatery BonMi caters for parties of six or more. The Complete BonMi package costs $15.65 per person and includes bánh mì-style sandwiches (with a choice of vegetarian or non-vegetarian filling), green salad with pickled vegetables, a variety of bagged crunchy snacks, and healthy sweets made with dates, almonds, and dried fruits. Summer rolls and house-made beverages are also available.

Photo: Jeremey Keats Saladyga

Healthy Catering in Washington

Kale is having a moment—the leafy green vegetable is making its way onto many restaurant and catering menus. For health-conscious clients, Design Cuisine has crafted a new “super foods” catering menu that features roasted kale chips, caramelized cauliflower, and bison meat.

Photo: Courtesy of Design Cuisine

Soul Food in Philadelphia

The Roots’ drummer Questlove has launched his Philadelphia-based catering company, Quest Loves Food. Available for catering nationwide, Quest’s menus highlight Creole- and Korean-inspired soul food, including the musician’s signature origami-wrapped fried chicken drumsticks.

Photo: Courtesy of Quest Loves Food

Event Catering in San Diego

San Diego chefs Brian Malarkey and Antonio Friscia have launched catering and event company Campine. One fun idea: fresh shellfish cooked in a galvanized tub over a propane burner. The chefs fill the tub with potatoes, corn, carrots, and Old Bay seasoning. Everything is poured onto butcher paper and served with craft brew.

Photo: Courtesy of Campine, A Culinary + Cocktail Conspiracy

Event Catering in Toronto

Executive chef Domenic Chiaromonte of T2 Resto-Lounge now heads the kitchen at C2 Catering Couture, a Toronto catering company that creates customized, playful, and artistic dishes, like the Sugar Bubble, filled with a fortune cookie and chocolate mousse; it’s served with a hammer to crack it open.

Photo: Courtesy of C2 Catering Couture

Draft Beer in Orlando

A great solution for B.Y.O.B. locations, Taps From Scratch offers the Pub-Hub, a portable, refrigerated unit that can hold two to four types of draft beer and also has space for glasses and other beverages. A three-day rental for a two-tap Pub-Hub costs $250, which includes delivery and set up anywhere in the Orlando-Tampa area.

Photo: Courtesy of Taps from Scratch

Chocolate Bonbons in Orlando

Orlando-based Bedazzle My Bonbons is now offering a new display option: The Bonbon Pyramid displays 84 glitter-coated chocolates on all four sides. It can be placed on a lazy Susan to create a rotating display.

Photo: Nina Mullins Photography

Mini Cupcakes in New York

Baked by Melissa offers a giant gumball machine that dispenses pods containing the company’s signature mini cupcakes at events. The machine can fit 2,000 pods, with a minimum order of 1,000.

Photo: Courtesy of Baked by Melissa

Oysters in New York

As an interactive alternative to a stationary raw bar, Oysters XO equips its servers with buckets of oysters on ice hanging from their waists as they make their way through a crowd, shucking oysters on the spot. The servers also carry containers of various sauces, as well as buckets for empty shells. The oysters come from oyster farms on the East and West coasts.

Photo: Roberta Marroquin Doria

Macarons in New York

New macaron purveyor Dana’s Bakery is putting an all-American spin on the French classic, with flavors like red velvet, thin mint, s’mores, and cookie dough. In addition to custom colors and flavors, Dana’s offers macaron towers and dessert bars. The cost is $2.25 per macaron for orders of 61 to 200 and $2 for each additional cookie over 200.

Photo: Courtesy of Dana's Bakery

Chocolate Truffles in New York

Esprit Events is offering chocolate truffle-rolling stations. Guests pick either a citrus chocolate or lemon cognac truffle-on-a-stick and then dip it in white or dark chocolate and roll it in their choice of toppings such as crushed pretzels, wasabi peas, potato chips, coconut, cocoa, or cinnamon. The station can also offer pre-rolled truffles.

Photo: Courtesy of Esprit Events

Healthy Catering in Miami

Deliver Lean is a healthy meal-delivery system that offers a menu of low-fat, high-protein foods, including egg-white omelets and pork chop entrées. Deliver Lean will cater ready-made meals for office luncheons or events from Jupiter to Miami, starting at $8 per person.

Photo: Courtesy of Deliver Lean

Doughnuts in Los Angeles

Fonuts are made using different methods of steaming and baking at high heat to replicate the texture of a doughnut, without the use of a fryer. Available for large orders and pickup for events, with varieties that include wheat-free, vegan, sweet, and savory, the cost is $38 for a baker’s dozen or $16.50 for an assorted bag of mini Fonuts.

Photo: Tina Norton

Mexican-Korean Fusion in Houston

Austin-based food truck Coreanos relocated to Houston in 2012, and its Mexican-meets-Korean fare is available for event catering. The mobile truck can show up on site at events to serve just one item—such as short-rib-topped cheese fries or Korean barbecue burritos—or it can offer guests the entire menu. The cost is $12 to $18 per person, with a $500 minimum.

Photo: Tom Morris

Cookies and Sweets in Houston

Putting a playful spin on the dessert of the moment, Petite Sweets can cater French macarons—$1.75 per piece—in creative, seasonal flavors like pumpkin pie, candy cane, and mint chocolate chip. Event trays can be customized by color, and the bakery also offers whoopie pies, cake pops, marshmallows, and mini cupcakes.

Photo: Courtesy of Petite Sweets

Frozen Desserts in Chicago

Ice Cubed specializes in small-batch ice cream, handmade ice pops, and other frozen desserts in flavors inspired by savory dishes. The Prix Fixe ice pop features layers of flavors inspired by a five-course Italian meal including prosecco, lemon-beet salad, bresaola, veal ragout, tomato confit, and tiramisu. The Cubed menu offers frosted cubes in flavors such as hot chocolate biscotti and burnt milk with peach jam and cloves. A truck is available, and staffers can create custom flavors.

Photo: Courtesy of Iced Cubed

Vietnamese Sandwiches in Chicago

A food truck specializing in Vietnamese bánh mì sandwiches, Duck n’ Roll can deliver food to offices and events in the city and suburbs. Chef Amy Le’s menu draws on her own family recipes and includes baguettes filled with fresh herbs, veggies, and meats such as five-spice duck, miso-braised short ribs, and Thai chicken curry. Depending on the menu, the average cost is $7 to $40 per person, and Le can serve groups of 25 to 400.

Photo: Courtesy of Duck n' Roll

Cocktail Catering in Chicago

Revae Schneider, a former mixologist at Chicago’s Gilt Bar and Union Sushi & Barbeque Bar, launched her bar-catering and styling company Femme du Coupe with the aim of making mixology accessible. She offers a variety of liquor-related services, including guiding guests as they create their own drinks. Schneider also teaches private corporate groups of as many as 50.

Photo: Eva Daibrel

Event Catering in Chicago

Brittany Ferrin and her husband and co-executive chef, Vaidotas Karsokas, launched catering company Truffleberry Market in 2008, with the goal of making everything by hand with artisanal ingredients. They recently added savory ice cream cones to their offerings: Handmade wonton cones are filled with creamy burrata cheese and drizzled with aged balsamic vinegar; a sun-dried tomato stands in for the cherry on top.

Photo: Courtesy of Truffleberry Market

Brunch Catering in Boston

Everything Bagel hors d’oeuvres from Bakers’ Best Catering are ideal for a brunch event or meeting. A toasted bagel cup is filled with salmon cured in toasted and dehydrated milk powder, plus sesame and poppy seeds, onions, and garlic, topped with spiced cream cheese, pickled red onion, frisée, and Meyer lemon pearls.

Photo: Courtesy of Bakers' Best Catering

Cupcakes in Boston

Popular Washington, D.C.,-based bakery Georgetown Cupcake has opened its first Boston outpost in Back Bay. The shop offers catering for meetings and events, as well as gift boxes of seasonal assortments. Treats cost $15 per half-dozen, and $29 per dozen.

Photo: Courtesy of Georgetown Cupcake

Italian Food in Austin

To feed a crowd quickly, catering company 86 This has a line of bulk family-style meals, available from $40 for 12 to 14 people, that include dishes such as “messy Sicilian lasagna” delivered ready-to-eat and serve. The company also serves box lunches, trays, and plated meals.

Photo: Courtesy of 86 This

Cocktail Catering in Austin

Lisa Messelt of LM Cocktail Catering can create an array of high-end Jell-O shot cocktails. Push aside thoughts of the jiggly, college-era snacks stuffed in Dixie cups: Instead, flavors like blackberry bramble and Pimm’s cup are presented in elegant hors d’oeuvre spoons and paired with fruit. The shots can even be designed in the shape of corporate logos.

Photo: Courtesy of LM Cocktail Catering

Pizza and Subs in Atlantic City

Italian restaurant Tony Boloney’s has launched the Mustache Mobile. Available to cater private events throughout the South Jersey area, the truck can serve anything on the restaurant’s menu (think pizza topped with fresh herbs, homemade marinara, and hand-pulled mozzarella, and subs stuffed with hand-rolled meatballs or 10-spice steak). Catering fees start at $1,000 and include two hours of serving time, food, plates, cups, napkins, cutlery, and garbage cans.

Photo: Courtesy of Tony Boloney's

Event Catering in Atlanta

Catering company A Divine Event creates eye-catching food displays that make a statement, including its Sticks, Spoons, and Shooters option for cocktail hour. The concept involves bite-size sweet or savory hors d’oeuvres served in shot glasses and on sticks or spoons.

Photo: Anna & Spencer Photography

Drink Well's "Winter White" Cocktail

In Austin, eatery Drink Well has a "Winter White" cocktail that contains Ford's gin, rosemary-infused Cointreau, fresh lemon, and egg white.

Photo: Courtesy of Drink.Well

L'Eat Catering's Pom Strega Dolce Cocktail

Toronto firm L'Eat Catering serves a pomegranate cocktail during the holiday season. Called "Pom Strega Dolce," the drink melds muddled pomegranate with Mount Gay Eclipse rum, Strega (an Italian herbal liqueur), lemon juice, and fresh mint.

Photo: Suzanne Dunbar

SBE Events and Catering's "Red Apple Ginger" Martini

In Los Angeles, SBE Events and Catering shakes up a seasonal cocktail using Belvedere (Red) vodka, apple and lemon juices, simple syrup, and Domaine de Canton, a ginger-flavored liqueur.

Photo: Courtesy of SBE Events and Catering

Fulton Market Kitchen's "Trust Fall" Cocktail

Suited to fall holiday celebrations, Fulton Market Kitchen in Chicago has a "Trust Fall" cocktail. Made with Remy Martin VSOP, burnt-sugar syrup, Tempus Fugit, crème de cacao, egg white, and sea salt, the drink tastes like salted caramel.

Photo: Courtesy of Fulton Market Kitchen

Chef Jason Bond's "Flip" Cocktail

Chef Jason Bond of Boston-area restaurant Bondir makes a cocktail inspired by the Colonial era. Called the "Flip," it's filled with cozy fall flavors. Served in a coupe glass, the cocktail contains rum, cinnamon syrup, light Amaro liqueur, heavy cream, a whole egg, and grated nutmeg and cinnamon.

Photo: Courtesy of Bondir

Canard Inc's White Hot and Blue Sapphire Cocktail

New York catering and event planning firm Canard makes a "White Hot and Blue Sapphire" drink that (though initially created for a summertime event) reflects the traditional Hanukkah colors. The drink combines gin, lemon juice, fresh blueberries, and Sprite and is served in a highball glass. Reps suggest adding a dash of simple syrup if needed.

Photo: Courtesy of Canard Inc.

Barton G's "Diamonds Are Forever" Nitrogen Cocktail

In Los Angeles, restaurant and catering firm Barton G. has a flashy cocktail suited for a New Year's Eve event. Served with a sugar stick and a citrus-vodka popsicle, the drink combines citrus vodka with triple sec and lemonade.

Photo: Ali Stanley

Huckleberry Hall's "Black Cherry Sling"

Huckleberry Hall, a soon-to-open bar and lounge in Aspen, Colorado, will serve a "Black Cherry Sling." The fruity cocktail will combine Breckenridge bourbon with black cherry soda and lime juice. The concept is from New York-based chef David Burke, and the cocktail program will feature house-made syrups and local ingredients.

Photo: Courtesy of The David Burke Group

Eatertainment's "Blackberry Foam" Martini

Toronto catering firm Eatertainment serves a "Blackberry Foam" martini with fresh blackberries, gin or vodka, amaretto liqueur, and a dollop of fresh whipped cream.

Photo: Courtesy of Eatertainment

Eatertainment's "Godiva Cranberry" Martini

The firm also makes a martini using vodka, white chocolate liqueur, champagne or sparkling wine, cranberry juice, and fresh cranberries.

Photo: Courtesy of Eatertainment

The Hyatt Regency Orlando's "Mockingbird" Cocktail

The Hyatt Regency Orlando has a signature cocktail called the "Mockingbird." With a holiday-appropriate bright red hue, the drink contains muddled watermelon, organic cucumber vodka, Campari, fresh lemon juice, and house-made simple syrup.

Photo: Courtesy of Hyatt Regency Orlando

Truffleberry Market Catering's "Sage and Peppercorn Old Fashioned"

Inspired by the fall holidays, a "Sage and Peppercorn Old Fashioned" from Chicago's Truffleberry Market combines sage-infused rye whiskey with barrel-aged bitters and peppercorn maple syrup.

Photo: Shayla Loring Photography

A Perfect Event's "Holly Jolly" Cocktail

Chicago event firm A Perfect Event serves bright red "Holly Jolly" cocktails at holiday gatherings. The fruity drink combines Real Russian vodka with ginger beer and strawberry jam; it's garnished with fresh rosemary and strawberry.

Photo: Carasco Photography

A Perfect Event's "Pamplemousse Punch"

A Perfect Event also makes "Pamplemousse Punch" using prosecco, blood-orange juice, grapefruit juice, and a splash of Lillet.

Photo: Amanda Hein

Fig & Olive's "Walnut Julep"

Fig & Olive, which has locations in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, has a "Walnut Julep" on its cocktail list. The ruby-red cocktail contains bourbon, St. Germain liqueur, port, muddled black mission figs, mint, and fresh citrus; it is garnished with shaved walnuts.

Photo: Courtesy of Fig & Olive

Filini Bar & Restaurant's "Cranberry Spice" Cocktail

At Filini Bar & Restaurant at Chicago's Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, the "Cranberry Spice" cocktail is served during the holiday season. The cocktail blends Aperol and hard cider with house-made ginger simple syrup, Lillet Blanc, and house-made nutmeg syrup. The unexpected garnish contains sweet-and-sour beets and a lime.

Photo: Sylk Photography

Jewell Events Catering's "Pomegranate-Ginger Sparkler"

In Chicago, Jewell Events Catering serves a festive "Pomegranate-Ginger Sparkler." The updated champagne cocktail includes ginger simple syrup, tart pomegranate juice, and light bubbles. The finishing touch? A blackberry garnish.

Photo: Courtesy of Jewell Events Catering

Limelight Catering's Apple Slushie

In Chicago, Limelight Catering offers frozen apple cider slushies garnished with mini cinnamon-sugar doughnuts. A rep for the company says that the nonalcoholic treats "make for a fun passed dessert."

Photo: Erika Dufour/Limelight Catering

Limelight Catering's "Gilded Vanilla Cordials"

Limelight's "Gilded Vanilla Cordials" combine vanilla vodka and Goldschläger with edible gold dust. The drinks are served on silver platters and have gold dust on their rims.

Photo: Erika Dufour/Limelight Catering

The Four Seasons Chicago's Chocolate Caliente Mexicano

At Allium, the restaurant at the Four Seasons Chicago, seasonal cocktails include the "Chocolate Caliente Mexicano." The hot-chocolate drink is served with Mexican spices, dulce de leche, and churros and is made with Cacao Barry 64 percent chocolate. The beverage can be served nonalcoholic or with a shot of spiced-cinnamon tequila.

Photo: Galdones Photography LLC

Food for Thought's Mulled Spiced Wine

Chicago catering firm Food for Thought offers a mulled spiced wine with cabernet sauvignon, apple cider, citrus, and spices. The drink is garnished with a cranberry skewer.

Photo: Courtesy of Food for Thought