It's important for me who is at the table with me; the moment when everyone speaks to each other and everyone listens. If there's good food, it's much better.
~ Andrea Bocelli
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Characteristics of a Good Catering Service
We all love parties, whether it be a fancy wedding party or some casual get-together. If you are throwing a party in a restaurant, then you need not worry about the catering.However, if you plan to arrange a party at your house, you can well imagine how difficult it could be to cook food for 20 to 30 guests. In such a case, it is advisable that one hire a good catering service to do the job. There are many catering businesses open in all around, but in order to figure out which one is the best, you need to judge them on the following criteria:
Variety and Quality of Food:
It's needless to say that the food is the most important thing in a party. A good catering service must provide tasty, hygienic and fresh food. Moreover, the caterer should provide variety in the dishes served. It's probable that the people you are going to invite will want to eat food based on their own personal preference as well as religious and cultural values. For example if your friend is a Muslim, he/she will only eat kosher food, whereas a vegetarian will only eat vegetarian food. So, the best way to cater to these possible differences is to have a buffet in which you can incorporate all kinds of dishes, depending upon the types of guests invited. The caterer should also provide the option of offering food from exotic cuisines, so that one can entertain foreign guests as well as local ones.
Variety of Services:
Alongside food, the ambiance of the party also plays an important role in making a party success. A good caterer provides complete decoration for the party and has a team of expert interior designers that add make such an effort professional. Aside from all this, a good caterer also provides the relevant furniture, for example buffet tables, cutlery crockery, warmers, trash bags and other such accessories. This is the differentiating point between mediocre and excellent catering service; if a caterer does all this, then you have definitely made the right choice.
Presenting Style:
Imagine how exciting it would be if the theme of your party is Cowboy, and the waiters are wearing cowboy hats, long boots and a hunter in one hand while they are serving to your guests. This sort of thing is what good caterers offer. Along with good food, excellent catering services do their presentations, food and otherwise, with style.
Economic factors do obviously play an important role in your selection of such a caterer but there is always a payoff between more money and good service in any decision one makes. You can always optimize your party requirements according to your financial condition. However, if you budget is no issue, then a good caterer meeting the above criteria will make your party a huge success, and that's absolutely guaranteed. So, don't forget to look at these things before you plan a party. Cheers!
If you require more information, please visit: MadJackCafe.com - Catering, Catering Services.
Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Muhammad_Sannan
EzineArticles.com/6935236
Variety and Quality of Food:
It's needless to say that the food is the most important thing in a party. A good catering service must provide tasty, hygienic and fresh food. Moreover, the caterer should provide variety in the dishes served. It's probable that the people you are going to invite will want to eat food based on their own personal preference as well as religious and cultural values. For example if your friend is a Muslim, he/she will only eat kosher food, whereas a vegetarian will only eat vegetarian food. So, the best way to cater to these possible differences is to have a buffet in which you can incorporate all kinds of dishes, depending upon the types of guests invited. The caterer should also provide the option of offering food from exotic cuisines, so that one can entertain foreign guests as well as local ones.
Variety of Services:
Alongside food, the ambiance of the party also plays an important role in making a party success. A good caterer provides complete decoration for the party and has a team of expert interior designers that add make such an effort professional. Aside from all this, a good caterer also provides the relevant furniture, for example buffet tables, cutlery crockery, warmers, trash bags and other such accessories. This is the differentiating point between mediocre and excellent catering service; if a caterer does all this, then you have definitely made the right choice.
Presenting Style:
Imagine how exciting it would be if the theme of your party is Cowboy, and the waiters are wearing cowboy hats, long boots and a hunter in one hand while they are serving to your guests. This sort of thing is what good caterers offer. Along with good food, excellent catering services do their presentations, food and otherwise, with style.
Economic factors do obviously play an important role in your selection of such a caterer but there is always a payoff between more money and good service in any decision one makes. You can always optimize your party requirements according to your financial condition. However, if you budget is no issue, then a good caterer meeting the above criteria will make your party a huge success, and that's absolutely guaranteed. So, don't forget to look at these things before you plan a party. Cheers!
If you require more information, please visit: MadJackCafe.com - Catering, Catering Services.
Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Muhammad_Sannan
EzineArticles.com/6935236
Blush SB: Treat Mom to Mother’s Day Brunch In Santa Barbara
Best Mother’s Day brunch in Santa Barbara
We all know that moms are super special and deserve only the very best on their special day. That’s why Blush Restaurant + Lounge at 630 State Street is offering a very special Mother’s Day Brunch this Sunday, May 11, from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on our beautiful outdoor patio. Our Santa Barbara Sunday Brunch always features the most delectable goodies but we’ve gone above and beyond for mom, and added a few extra goodies just for the occasion. See the menu for Mother’s Day Brunch 2014.
Treat your mother to delicious entrees from Executive Chef Brandon Worrell and his staff. They will be lovingly creating mouth-watering temptations like Nutella Stuffed French Toast, Lobster Benedict, our Grilled Salmon Salad, and more of your favorite Blush brunch items like benedicts, omelets and other specialties.
The cost for this fabulous Santa Barbara Mother’s Day Brunch is only $25 per person, with tax and tip extra, but the value to you and your mom will be priceless. You’ll all enjoy time together while feasting on a great brunch, with a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage and a special gift for mom, in the warm Santa Barbara sun.
If your mom’s beverage tastes run in other directions, we will also be offering $20 Bottomless Mimosas and hand-crafted Bloody Marys, or you can ask our mixologist to whip up one of our signature libations such as The Sophia or a Blush Margarita. Blush also has an extensive wine list, so you are sure to find something to suit everyone’s tastes.
You know the one thing mom values most is your time. After your relaxing brunch on our patio, spend the rest of the day with her just having fun in beautiful Santa Barbara. Our restaurant is located right in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. It is easy to get to, and you will be close to all the action for whatever else you decide to do together.
So gather up Mom, Dad, and the rest of the gang and head to our Santa Barbara restaurant for Mother’s Day Brunch. You will all have a great Mother’s Day when you start with Brunch at Blush. Reservations are recommended. Contact us at 805-957-1300 or make your online reservations now. Show Mom just how special you think she is with an unforgettable Mother’s Day Brunch at Blush.
Happy Mother’s Day from the staff of Blush Restaurant + Lounge.
About Blush Restaurant + Lounge: Gayot’s review reported, “Nightlife and fine dining collide at this hot-spot in downtown Santa Barbara.” Blush Restaurant + Lounge is conveniently located at 630 State Street. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. until midnight, Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until 2:00 a.m., and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until midnight. If you’re planning a Santa Barbara bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, or elegant wedding reception, visit the website and Facebook page or call 805-957-1300 for more information. Reservations may be made by phone or booked online.
How to Create an Inviting Beer Garden for a Pub, Bar or Restaurant
It's that time of year again where you need to start thinking about your Garden for the Summer. Here are a few useful ideas:
1. GARDENS ARE OUTDOOR SPACES
First and most importantly, a garden connected to a Pub, Bar or Restaurant should feel like a Garden and not in interior space. Many proprietors try to continue the interior finishes to outside which defeats the purpose of a Garden atmosphere. The Garden should have outdoor features like stone and brick and the furniture should look like outdoor furniture. On my travels I found many beer gardens with timber sheeting and fabric covered bar stools - these areas are trying to look like indoor spaces. Instead try to embrace the outdoor Garden atmosphere, work with the multitude of materials and finishes which are available to transform a bland space into an exciting alfresco experience.
2. STYLE
Decide on your style or theme and then do some research.
Look at the building and its walls - are there any existing characteristics that may dictate a style or that can be embellished?
Keep the theme running from the interior through to the outside - for example, if you have an Art Deco interior then try to incorporate Art Deco statues, tiles or lamps outside rather than it being a generic garden. Similarly, if it is a traditional Pub with lots of Bric-a-Brac then carry outdoor Bric-a-Brac through.
3. THE WEATHER
Weather considerations
The glare/heat factor: use canopies, planting or coloured glass to diffuse.
Wind: Use wind breakers. Anything can be designed to reduce the wind factor - Willow fencing, metal or timber frameworks with glass or canvas wind breakers. I recently designed a trellis planter and because it was on wheels, it was movable which worked really well for my client.
When deciding on the position for your seating consider which direction the wind comes from.
Rain: Provide adequate coverage for smokers in bad weather. In particularly wet climates, a permanent fixed solution like glass in a timber or glass framework will be much more maintainable than a canvas canopy. Glass means that daylight/sunlight can come through which is important on those warm summer days. If it gets too hot or bright then outdoor blinds can be fitted.
4. REGULATIONS
Before building anything it is important to know what your local regulations are. In Ireland the guideline for covering areas is described like a bus shelter where the roof covers an area that has walls that are 50% open and 50% closed.
5. SMOKERS
Divide smokers from non smokers if you have the space.
Opening windows may not be an option as the smoke can be pulled into the interior and customers do not like this.
Provide ashtrays on tables and a few sand buckets about the place from which cigarette butts can be taken from at cleaning time.
6. UGLY AREAS
Make sure the views are good and not facing bin/garbage areas or car-parks. Use screening with plants or timber fencing to hide ugly areas.
7. LIGHTING
Again use outdoor fittings which suit your style whether modern or traditional. Lights can be fitted into all kinds of things and places. Try outdoor led rope lights below skirtings at low level or above a wall for a nice warm glow. Often you can find a fitting which lights up and down thus getting the double benefit. Choose lighting that will create ambiance without giving your customers a headache from the glare. Candles always look fab in a garden setting set into simple glass jam jars, bird cages or antique sieves or metal objects. If you have an outdoor bar make it glow in the dark with candles and led strip lights.
8. OUTDOOR BARS
Check the local regulations on this - in many cases outdoor bars need to be located in a smoke free area otherwise the person serving at the bar will be subject to smoke inhalation. If using timber, use teak or a suitable outdoor timber with as little detail as possible so that water does not collect in its cracks. Using timber outdoors means you are going to have to commit to maintaining it. Being subject to all kinds of weather means that whatever finish you use will need to be topped up regularly. Stone counter-tops are great because the water runs off. Use lockable fridges and under counter units for security. Make sure there is permanent cover over the Bar and the customer so that the counter can be used in all weather.
9. PLANTING
Flowers make people smile so go mad with them! Use colours to suit your garden's palette. Its always good to have a few varieties in a planter or pot just in case one of them fail. You can plant flowers in anything as long as there are holes for run off water - buckets, bicycles, beds... have a look at these ideas. Ask your plumber to install a piped watering system set to a timer with feeds running to all your plants and flowers. It can be set to water at night so that run off water will have disappeared by morning. Change your planters to ivy's and small trees like box hedge in the winter for an evergreen look.
I recommend you hire a designer to guide you through all of this. A professionals advise is worth it and you can usually agree with a designer as to the level they get involved so as to suit your budget.
For more ideas on gardens check out the blog posts at http://www.pubdesigndoctor.com/category/beer-gardens/
Interior Designer Fionuala Lennon has been designing bars, restaurants, hotels and nightclubs worldwide for over 20 years. After obtaining a Degree in Interior Design, Fionuala worked in New York for two award winning Design Practices. Upon returning to Ireland she continued to travel world wide designing and fitting out pubs and nightclubs as Design Director with The Irish Pub Company and McNally Design International, the largest design practice in Ireland at the time.
Fionuala has worked with some of the worlds top drinks brands such as Guinness, Jameson, Baileys, Hennessy and Smirnoff developing design concepts for many of their products. Fionuala has had her own Interior Design Consultancy since 1999 and has recently rebranded as THE PUB DESIGN DOCTOR where she has created a niche targeted specifically at the Bar and Restaurant market. She provides a full Interior Design Consultancy Service, hosts Design Workshops and also blogs and gives advice online at http://www.pubdesigndoctor.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fionuala_Lennon
http://EzineArticles.com/6868284
1. GARDENS ARE OUTDOOR SPACES
First and most importantly, a garden connected to a Pub, Bar or Restaurant should feel like a Garden and not in interior space. Many proprietors try to continue the interior finishes to outside which defeats the purpose of a Garden atmosphere. The Garden should have outdoor features like stone and brick and the furniture should look like outdoor furniture. On my travels I found many beer gardens with timber sheeting and fabric covered bar stools - these areas are trying to look like indoor spaces. Instead try to embrace the outdoor Garden atmosphere, work with the multitude of materials and finishes which are available to transform a bland space into an exciting alfresco experience.
2. STYLE
Decide on your style or theme and then do some research.
Look at the building and its walls - are there any existing characteristics that may dictate a style or that can be embellished?
Keep the theme running from the interior through to the outside - for example, if you have an Art Deco interior then try to incorporate Art Deco statues, tiles or lamps outside rather than it being a generic garden. Similarly, if it is a traditional Pub with lots of Bric-a-Brac then carry outdoor Bric-a-Brac through.
3. THE WEATHER
Weather considerations
The glare/heat factor: use canopies, planting or coloured glass to diffuse.
Wind: Use wind breakers. Anything can be designed to reduce the wind factor - Willow fencing, metal or timber frameworks with glass or canvas wind breakers. I recently designed a trellis planter and because it was on wheels, it was movable which worked really well for my client.
When deciding on the position for your seating consider which direction the wind comes from.
Rain: Provide adequate coverage for smokers in bad weather. In particularly wet climates, a permanent fixed solution like glass in a timber or glass framework will be much more maintainable than a canvas canopy. Glass means that daylight/sunlight can come through which is important on those warm summer days. If it gets too hot or bright then outdoor blinds can be fitted.
4. REGULATIONS
Before building anything it is important to know what your local regulations are. In Ireland the guideline for covering areas is described like a bus shelter where the roof covers an area that has walls that are 50% open and 50% closed.
5. SMOKERS
Divide smokers from non smokers if you have the space.
Opening windows may not be an option as the smoke can be pulled into the interior and customers do not like this.
Provide ashtrays on tables and a few sand buckets about the place from which cigarette butts can be taken from at cleaning time.
6. UGLY AREAS
Make sure the views are good and not facing bin/garbage areas or car-parks. Use screening with plants or timber fencing to hide ugly areas.
7. LIGHTING
Again use outdoor fittings which suit your style whether modern or traditional. Lights can be fitted into all kinds of things and places. Try outdoor led rope lights below skirtings at low level or above a wall for a nice warm glow. Often you can find a fitting which lights up and down thus getting the double benefit. Choose lighting that will create ambiance without giving your customers a headache from the glare. Candles always look fab in a garden setting set into simple glass jam jars, bird cages or antique sieves or metal objects. If you have an outdoor bar make it glow in the dark with candles and led strip lights.
8. OUTDOOR BARS
Check the local regulations on this - in many cases outdoor bars need to be located in a smoke free area otherwise the person serving at the bar will be subject to smoke inhalation. If using timber, use teak or a suitable outdoor timber with as little detail as possible so that water does not collect in its cracks. Using timber outdoors means you are going to have to commit to maintaining it. Being subject to all kinds of weather means that whatever finish you use will need to be topped up regularly. Stone counter-tops are great because the water runs off. Use lockable fridges and under counter units for security. Make sure there is permanent cover over the Bar and the customer so that the counter can be used in all weather.
9. PLANTING
Flowers make people smile so go mad with them! Use colours to suit your garden's palette. Its always good to have a few varieties in a planter or pot just in case one of them fail. You can plant flowers in anything as long as there are holes for run off water - buckets, bicycles, beds... have a look at these ideas. Ask your plumber to install a piped watering system set to a timer with feeds running to all your plants and flowers. It can be set to water at night so that run off water will have disappeared by morning. Change your planters to ivy's and small trees like box hedge in the winter for an evergreen look.
I recommend you hire a designer to guide you through all of this. A professionals advise is worth it and you can usually agree with a designer as to the level they get involved so as to suit your budget.
For more ideas on gardens check out the blog posts at http://www.pubdesigndoctor.com/category/beer-gardens/
Interior Designer Fionuala Lennon has been designing bars, restaurants, hotels and nightclubs worldwide for over 20 years. After obtaining a Degree in Interior Design, Fionuala worked in New York for two award winning Design Practices. Upon returning to Ireland she continued to travel world wide designing and fitting out pubs and nightclubs as Design Director with The Irish Pub Company and McNally Design International, the largest design practice in Ireland at the time.
Fionuala has worked with some of the worlds top drinks brands such as Guinness, Jameson, Baileys, Hennessy and Smirnoff developing design concepts for many of their products. Fionuala has had her own Interior Design Consultancy since 1999 and has recently rebranded as THE PUB DESIGN DOCTOR where she has created a niche targeted specifically at the Bar and Restaurant market. She provides a full Interior Design Consultancy Service, hosts Design Workshops and also blogs and gives advice online at http://www.pubdesigndoctor.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fionuala_Lennon
http://EzineArticles.com/6868284
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
2014 Top 10 Most Romantic Inns – iLoveInns.com
Rediscover the romance in your relationship with an easy getaway to a romantic inn. Take a look at the selection of the 2014 Top 10 Romantic Inns. “They are the cream of the crop, offering world-class hospitality, picturesque properties, and amenities and experiences that touch the heart and revive relationships,” says iLoveInns spokeswoman Deborah Sakach.
Hermann Hill Vineyard & Inn – Hermann, Mo.
Wine Country in Missouri is at its best at Herman Hill’s hilltop location overlooking the Missouri River where bald eagles sometimes fly past the hot tub on your private deck. Every evening warm cookies with ice cream are brought to your room. All rooms have fireplaces, steam showers, Jacuzzi tubs. Welcome trays include wine, cheese, bread and fruit.
Goodstone Inn & Restaurant - Middleburg, Va.
Goodstone Inn is set on 265 beautiful Virginia acres and offers cottages, farm-to-table dining, hunt country breakfasts, gourmet picnics and canoeing on Goose Creek. A swimming pool is set against the ivy covered historic mansion and a Jacuzzi boasts countryside and garden views. Condé Nast quoted Jenna Bush Hager as saying Middleburg and Goodstone was her second best place (Kennebunkport first).
Made INN Vermont - Burlington, Vt.
Hip and mod in the same sentence as Bed and Breakfast? Romantic Made Inn Vermont blends the chic with a setting in a classic Victorian near Church Street Marketplace with its sidewalk cafes, twinkling lights, and live music every day. The innkeepers offer warm welcomes, turn down service, and fridges filled with complimentary Vermont products, Vermont beers are offered and there’s a 4th floor belvedere for panoramic views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks.
Black Dolphin Inn – New Smyrna Beach, Fla.
What makes it sizzle? Hip style on a waterfront sanctuary. Couples take walks along the beach and use the private dock on the Intracoastal Waterway to kayak, canoe, paddle-board with dolphins, manatees, white heron and pelicans. In the inn, an open-air exhibition kitchen makes for a fun foodie experience. innkeepers warm welcomes and attention to guest needs give travelers a profound sense of belonging.
Whitestone Country Inn – Kingston, Tenn.
Looking to elope? This inn has its own chapel, florist, gazebo and horse drawn carriage. Couples take walks through the acres of wildlife refuge fronting the lake or through the woods – there’s plenty of outdoor activities. Pristine rooms and cottages offer all the amenities as well as fireplaces and lake views. There’s a unique 8-station marriage walk with reflective questions, a favorite of the many who come for their anniversaries.
Maison D’Memoire B&B Cottages – Rayne, La.
Grab a porch swing and afternoon tea and enjoy your authentic Cajun cottage, then stroll along the pond and stream, through meadows and trees for doing absolutely nothing or jump on a swamp tour and hunt down alligators, take an airboat to skim over lakes and bayous or visit the Flooded Forest of Cypress and Topulo trees draped with Spanish moss, home to 197 different species of birds.
Cheshire Cat Inn & Spa – Santa Barbara, Calif.
Enjoy the warmth of the Santa Barbara sun and the innkeepers whose motto is hospitality, hospitality, hospitality. They will guide you into enjoying all the town has to offer. Take the train from Los Angeles along with your bikes and you’ll have the time of your life cycling along the boardwalk. Or stroll hand in hand through the streets reminiscent of the Mediterranean with perfect climate and sidewalk cafes and boutiques, then come home to two pristine Victorians for evening treats, a stroll in the garden and a dip in the Jacuzzi.
Captain Farris House – South Yarmouth, Mass.
Sometimes it’s the little touches that make your getaway perfect and Captain Farris nails it with many welcoming amenities such as offering beverages immediately upon your arrival. A National Register building, the inn is located in a venerable historic district with nearby attractions that include mysterious lighthouses, the National Seashore and bright red cranberry bogs,
The Queen Victoria - Cape May, N.J.
You won’t believe how much fun you’ll have here – men especially write rave reviews of the 35- room Queen Victoria Inn. Maybe it’s the afternoon teas and fireside chats with other anniversary couples or the ease of strolling along gas-lit streets for dinner, or the beach at sunset. Carriage rides and wine tastings at local wineries are popular.
Three Tree Point Bed & Breakfast - Seattle, Wash.
“The best place we’ve ever stayed,” is a frequent comment by those who have enjoyed the beautiful setting on a bluff overlooking Puget Sound, sunrises over Mount Rainer and sunsets over the Olympic Mountains. Some visit Pike Place Market to bring home something wonderful for the barbecue or simply choose Bistro Baffi or 909 restaurant for local cuisine.Planning a Romantic Valentine’s Weekend in Goleta
Goleta CA is the ultimate destination for a romantic Valentine’s Day get-away weekend with your sweetheart. Whether you want to reconnect, spend some alone time together, or just enjoy the pleasure of each other’s company, Goleta is the perfect place for you. To find the easiest way to get here, just visit GoGoleta.com for information on transportation to Goleta.
We can also help you find the best hotels in Goleta. The Bacara Resort & Spa has a Special Valentine’s Day Package. Through February 28, they’re offering a Special Valentine’s Day Hotel Package including two nights at Santa Barbara’s most romantic retreat. Upon arrival, guests enjoy a bottle of champagne and a fruit welcome amenity in their room. You and your sweetie are invited to the Foley Wine Room to savor two tastings, where they bring California wine country to you. You might want to spend the whole weekend at Bacara, but here are a few other activities in Goleta that you can enjoy together:
- Butterflies: You could have a chance to see the last of this year’s Monarch butterfly migration at The Goleta Butterfly Grove (Ellwood Main) in the Sperling Preserve on the Ellwood Mesa. Monarchs are usually found in Goleta from mid-November through mid-February and docents are available on weekends from 11am-2pm during these months. As of January 17, there were approximately 2,400 monarch butterflies at the grove.
- Trains: Couples will get a kick out of the Sweetheart Specials available February 15 and 16 at the Goleta Train Depot. Take a day-long trip along our beautiful coast line and enjoy the breathtaking Gaviota Coast, the legendary surfing beaches of the Hollister and Bixby ranches, Point Conception, the vineyards of the Edna Valley, and a variety of wildlife and botanical wonders. Includes a boxed lunch from Far Western Tavern.
- Art: A Valentine’s Day Exhibition for Between Seer and Seen: Art+Love Exhibition: Meet Mark Robert Halper, photographer of the critically acclaimed coffee table book Between Seer and Seen. His photographic portraits of local artists will have a special exhibition at the Santa Barbara Tennis Club for three weeks. Artists whose portraits will be on display have created original works of art to complement Halper’s work. Runs daily February 14 to March 7, 2014, from 10am to 9pm. 2375 Foothill Road in Santa Barbara. The Artist’s Reception on Friday, February 14, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, is open to the public.
Goleta is also home to some of the best hiking, biking, swimming and boating anywhere. After a day of fun, check out GoGoleta.com for restaurants in Goleta and find the perfect ending to your romantic day.
Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at GoGoleta.com!
About GoGoleta.com: GoGoleta.com is Goleta, California’s premier travel guide. It organizes all of the best Goleta restaurants, Goleta hotels, Goleta events and Goleta activities in one convenient location. GoGoleta.com brings all of the hottest Goleta, California happenings together in one convenient online location. Visit the website and Facebook page or call 805-967-2500 for more travel information about Goleta CA.
- See more at: http://www.gogoleta.com/planning-a-romantic-valentines-weekend-in-goleta
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