Tuesday, July 24, 2012


TAPAS - [Tah-pahs] pl n.

(especially in Spain) a snack or appetizer, typically served with wine or beer.











By Dictionary Definition, Tapas is listed as a snack or appetizer typically served with wine or beer, but here at Christiani's we know that Tapas are so much more than that. For us, it's an art form in the purest sense. It's a way for us to focus on the theme of a dish and turn it into something spectacular. Our Chefs create intricate stations that allow your guests to graze from one station to the next and experience many different types of food. This may seem very different from your standard  buffet, but that's because it is. Tapas gives you the option to step back from the traditional buffet display, and encourages your guests to mingle! This less formal style of dining is set for some guest seating but with many open cocktail tables (again, to encourage a light and easy flow). Typically our clients choose between 3 and 4 of these stations from a large variety of tapas options listed on our website. One of the most popular station combinations includes:

A Fresh Salad Bar, served in fun Chinese Takeout Boxes Including
  •  Fresh Tuscan Salad with Summer Melon
  • Sesame Asian Noodle Salad
  • Classic Caesar Salad
  • Spring Garden Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette

A Delicious Pasta Bar Served to Order Including

  • Stuffed Shells with Marinara Sauce
  • Penne with Meatballs and Sweet Sausage
  • Fettucini with Creamy Basil Pesto
  • Grated Romano Cheese, Red Pepper Flakes, Italian Bread and Butter

And A Succulent Carving Station Sliced and Served Right in Front of You

  • Top of the Round Roast Beef with Au Jus and Horseradish Cream Sauce
  • Garlic and Rosemary Pork Tenderloin with Chianti Demiglace
  • Garlic Mashed Potatoes 

Most of our stations are attended by a Chef, so they are also interacting with your guests as they enjoy a delicious variety of flavors. Our newest interactive station can really bring the heat to any event. We call it The Brazilian Flame Station, where our trained chefs dazzle your guests with open skillets and glowing torches toasting your meat selections to absolute perfection, right there before your very eyes. This upgraded station is a true conversation piece for any type of celebration and can be customized to toast and roast your favorite Christiani's delicacies.
The Flame Station


Drink Stations
                                                                           The Beer Buffet
What would Tapas be without the perfect drink companion? If you haven't already got your heart set on a signature drink, then the sky's the limit with our interchangeable drink stations. Depending on your style and menu selections we can recommend a beverage pair or you can choose from a wide list of beer and wine selections displayed as you desire. Does a loaded Beer Buffet sound right up your ally? Or does a glistening                Wine Tree speak to your style? Perhaps a 4 foot Mojito Giraffe will act as the perfect compliment to your menu selection. Either way, we've got you covered.
The Wine Tree
OR.....          Make it an Appetizer Tree


Beverage Giraffes

The Bubbly Bar

                                                                      P ass the Bubbly!

 

Truly the most interactive station yet, our BRAND NEW BUBBLY BAR features an incredible selection of juices and fresh fruits to be added to sparkling champagne for a unique custom made drink by you! Find out more information about this trendy station as well as many other specialty drink ideas on our "Specialty Drink" blog post!

Don't Forget Desert!

The Tower 
One of our most popular displays over the last few years has proven itself time and time again, The Temptation Tower. This 5 foot acrylic mountain is a show stopper at every event. Its clean, sharp lines and massive height makes this production something your guests won't soon forget. It works as a display piece for your choice of superb deserts, whether it be traditional wedding cupcakes or fresh individual cakes and pastries. Its the must-have alternative to a traditional wedding cake.  
                THE FONDUE STATION
Another popular alternative to the traditional wedding cake set up is our bubbling Fondue Station. Delicious fresh strawberry's, giant fluffy marshmallows, juicy pineapple, and crunchy salted pretzels make for the perfect dunkers in our chocolate fondue. That's right, that pink stuff is chocolate! And not just any chocolate, rich & creamy sweet milk chocolates custom colored and ordered to perfectly match your theme.



THE S'MORES BAR
Our S'mores Bar is one of our newest creation and it has been a HUGE success! Crunchy grahm crackers hand-dipped in rich milk chocolate and covered in sweet, fluffy marshmallow toasted right in front of you by our trained staff for that warm goey fireside feeling. This station goes over extremely well as a Late Night Snack station to be enjoyed as your guests dance the night away.

To see more Desert ideas go to our youtube archive and click on the "Deserts" video. Or visit our facebook page to find a direct link at Christianis Catering and Events

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Wed. Ed. Signature Drinks

  
Vodka Lemonade Fountain
  Signature Drinks 101


1. SIGNATURE STYLE Signature Drinks are a fun and unique way to show off your wedding style as a couple. A signature drink can say a lot about the newly-weds, for example; Is a towering Vodka Lemonade Fountain (as featured right) your style? Or are you more of a sassy Strawberry Champagne Martini? Maybe Classy Cosmo speaks more to you? Signature drinks are popular because they appeal to a broad range of guests without being too over the top, and it adds an extra memory to the wedding experience.

 

   

Beverage Giraffes
 

 

2. GO SEASONAL  Get inspired by the seasons when choosing party elements like reception cocktails. Many specialty drinks are based on the time of year - Sangria is great for summer weddings with fresh fruit medleys and refreshing chilled wine. Keep the Spirit of the season throughout your event - Bright colored fruits in summers, natural textures in fall and in-season florals like tulips and daffodils in spring time.