Cocktail Themed Menus

 

A Cocktail Buffet is a good way to provide all of your guests a selection of passed & placed food items during an event without committing to a fully seated affair. Start the soiree by offering small hot & cold hors d’oeuvres for about 30 minutes or so; a speech, presentation or remarks will be used as a “transition”.

The Buffets or Stations open shortly thereafter. This format is softer, less scripted & allows for more creativity in menu designs & service option. The traditional seating arrangement gives way to a more fluid, modern café seating where guests will stay at a table an average of 20 minutes instead of the full two hours of a formal dinner party.

Cocktail parties are ideal for those with a diverse crowd, an agenda-driven event or those who are trying to frame & control the timeline & relevant costs.

Typically a themed food station will have an attendant who facilitates the service process and answer any questions regarding the menu. Additionally, we suggest using small frames placed on the buffet that list what is being offered. The food is always fresh and attractive, from the start to the end.

 

Passed Hors D’oeurves

( Choose 2 each from Carnivore, Vegetarian and Pescatarian $20 ) 

 

Carnivore

 

Beef Tenderloin Bruschetta

Sliced Rare Beef with Scallion Coulis on Herb Toasted Bread with Manchego Cheese Shavings-

Drizzles of Grape Seed Oil

 

Grilled Cooked Merguez

Full Throttle Flavored Lamb Sausage Bites with Orange-Shallot Marmalade 

 

Lollipop Lamb Chop

Rosemary-Garlic Marinated Petite Frenched Lamb Chops, Tears of Balsamic-Vanilla Syrup-

*Please add $1.50 per Guest for this Item

 

Beef Soyu

Threaded Grilled Beef, Drizzles of Citrus-Cilantro Glaze

 

Yakitori-Peanut Chicken

Chicken Strips in Sweet Soy Marinade 

Skewered with Cremini Mushroom;  Spicy Peanut Dip

 

Chili-Cumin Chicken Tenders

Grilled & Served with a Spiced Chocolate-Cinnamon & Chili Mole Dip

 

Mini Mac & Cheese Cups

Baked to a Golden Brown with a Crisp Bacon Wafer

 

Beef or Turkey Sliders

Petite Bun, Roma Tomato & Green Chilies-Scallion Coulis

 

Spicy Chorizo Coins

Griddle Cooked, Served Hot, Pickled Red Onion Confiture

 

Lamb or Pork Skewers

Cubed Lamb, Marinated in Garlic, Rosemary & Roasted

Red Capsicum & Sweet Garlic Ailoli

 

Vegetarian

 

Apricot Pillows

Dried Apricots filled with Spiced Chevre Cheese Capped with Crushed Pistachios

 

Polenta Cupcakes

Rounds of Polenta topped with Melted Gorgonzola & Fresh Snipped Chives

 

Alisha’s Savory Cookies Pick Any One

Organic Spinach Leaves with Garlic, Mint & Feta Cheese (our Spanakopita)

Vegetables Tapenade, Parma Ribbons & Red Pepper Corn

Blue Cheese, Chopped Walnuts & Acacia Honey Drizzles 

Sweet Onion Marmalade, Fennel Seeds, New York Sharp Cheddar

 

Potato & Onion Tortilla

Served Chilled in Small Squares, Cool-Spicy Cilantro Pesto

 

Warm Brie Tartlets

Raspberry & Warm Brie, Sprinkle of Spiced Brown Sugar

Baked with Spiced Walnuts

 

Baby Cremini Caps

Cremini Mushrooms filled with Fresh Herbs, Roasted Peppers

Topped with Melted Manchego Cheese

 

Green & Green

Last Minute Dice of Fresh Avocado & Kiwis

Tossed with Olive Oil & Dusted with Red Pepper Flakes

 

Red & White

Strawberries & Cream-  The Pub Version…

with Chevre, Mascarpone, Crushed Pistachios

 

Bocconcini

Petit Skewer of Mozzarella Marble & Cherry Tomato

Basil Pesto ( no nuts)  OR Balsamic Emulsion Dip

 

Tomato Soup & Baked Blue Cheese Toast

Demi-Tasse of Tomato Bisque & Blue Cheese Dipper

 

Pescatarian

 

One Cool Cucumber

Smoked Shenandoah Trout+  Pickled Onion Hash 

In a Salted Cucumber Cup  

 

Scallops & Bacon

The 70’s called & they want it back on the Menu !

Day Boat Scallops, Wrapped in Pepper CuredBacon Slice- Flash Baked

 

Local Crabcakes

Mustard scented Crab Cakes, Cooked on Site

Dot of Saffron Aioli

 

Mini Salmon Ceviche

Fresh Salmon, Hand Diced, Marinated with Lime Juice, Vodka & Chilies

In a Small Vessel

 

Margarita Shrimp

Shrimp Tossed in a Smokey Peppers

Tequila, Cointreau, Citrus Juices and Honey Sauce

 

Old Bay Shrimp

Poached with Old Bay Spices

Served Chilled with Cocktail Sauce

 

Scampi Provence Style

Lemon, Garlic & Oregano Sauted Shrimp

 

Tuna & Soy

Seared Sesame & Garlic-Pepper Tuna Rounds

On Bamboo Tines,  Drizzles of Sweet Soy

 

Corn & Crab Fritters

Cooked on Site, Lemon Remoulade Dip

 

Winter Oysters

 (from September to AprilOnly)

*Chilled Half Shells topped with Vodka & Spiced Tomato Salsa

*Smokey Baked with Green Tabasco, Spinach, Bacon & Jack Cheese

 

 

 

Placed Hors D'oeuvres

 

Vegetarian

 

Mediterranean Mezze$5

Baba Ganouj & Chick Pea Hummus, Drizzled with Cold Pressed Olive Oil.

Presented witH an Olive Assortment, Hand Carved Feta , Crisp Cucumber & Pepper Dippers.

      Spiced Toasted Pita Chips & Za’atar Sprinkled Crisps

 

Carved Seasonal Fruits$5

Golden Pineapple, Kiwi, Mango, Orange & Pomegranate Garnished with Chilean Grapes and

Market Available Fruits

 

Chips & Gourmet Dips $4

Crushed Broad Beans, Feta & Mint Dip, Side of Grilled Sour Dough Toasts

Warm Carrots Souffle with White Raisins& Toasted Cumin Flat Bread

Tatiana’s Young Spinach, Chevre, Artichoke & ( optional Crabmeat- add $2) 

 

Arancini $3

Hot Arborio Rice Bites with a Cheesy Heart

Parma & Red Pepper Dust 

 

Garden Crudites $3

Zucchini, Broccoli, Cucumber, Cauliflower Florets, Radishes, 

Jicama, Carrots   Four Garden Herbs Dip 

 

Artisan Cheese Board $6

Farm Cheeses from Vermont, Wisconsin, New York & PennsylvaniaSurrounded by Grapes, Dried

Fruits, Nuts & Seasonal Berries

Presented with Baskets of Hearth Baked Breads and Gourmet Crackers

 

 

Omnivore

 

Platter of Any 4 Crostini   $8

Mashed Peas with Lemon Scented Olive Oil, Torn Fresh Mint Leaves

Olives Tapenade with Oregano

Salmon Rillettes with Fresh Dill & Red Pepper Corns

Chicken Bits, Raisins, Toasted Cumin & Cilantro

Melted Blue Cheese, Honeys Drips + Chopped Nuts 

Goat Cheese, Honey, Olive Oil & Roasted Pine Nuts

Cottage Cheese, Vinegar-Shaved Radishes, Black Salt

Mozzarella, Basil & chopped Tomatoes + Olive Oil

 

Assortment of Any 3 Spiedini$8

Lemon-Dill Salmon Belly, Dill-Cucumber Cream

Pork Loin Strips, Red Capsicum Cream

Chicken Tenders, Spicy Ginger-Peanut Dip

Beef Jerky’s with Sweet Soyu Drips

Portobello & Zucchini, Balsamic Emulsion

Marinated & Grilled Lamb,  Rosemary, Mint, Garlic & Lemon Dip

Shrimp with Tapenade Dip ( add $1) 

Mozzarella Marbles,  Cherry Tomatoes + Basil Oil

 

Gastro Pub Mini Savory Pies Pick Any One $4

Minced Chicken, Raisins & Cumin

Salmon Bits, Fresh Herbs & Lemon Zest

 

Curiously Sweet Cheese

Fresh Chevre, Drizzled with Olive Oil, Honey & Toasted Pine Nuts

Toasted Raisin & Nuts Bread Slices

 

The Mac & Cheese VariationsPick Any One $4 or all 3 for $6

Cheddar, Crabmeat & Truffle Oil

Bolognese Heart with Sprinkles of Parma 

Lobster Meat, Hint of Saffron

 

Smoked Salmon & Dill Cheese Cake $3

Served chilled with an Assortment of Gourmet Crackers, Sliced Dark Bread