Dining Details Blog

College sweethearts Tyler and Allison tied the knot this past June 13, 2009 in San Diego. With a big fun loving group of family and friends in town, the groom’s family knew who to turn to to help them put together a fantastic menu and a great party-Dining Details!

The whole family got together that afternoon to decorate the yard to match the teal blue color scheme of the wedding. They covered the tables with homemade seascape decorations, centerpieces, and string lights. It was gorgeous!

For the menu they wanted foods that were really tasty and included some of the family favorites. Some things like cozy foods that reminded them of homecooking; macaroni and cheese, lasagna, tasty burgers.

After the rehearsal in the front yard, the hungry guests moved to the back yard where they were greeted with the  appropriately colored Blue Passion Fruit Martini, a station of seafood appetizers, and a Grill station to start.

We followed with a home cooked buffet dinner that led into a toast and a surprise video montage that was put together by the grooms parents.. they couple never suspected!

Congratulations to Tyler and Allison who were married June 13th!

The Menu:

Featured Signature Martini

Passion Fruit Martini with Fresh Fruit and Blue Curacao

Seafood Station
Shrimp & Cilantro Pesto Quesadillas with Smoked Chipotle Cream

Spiced Lump Crab and Shrimp Salad with Avocado and Peppers in Mini Cups with Fork

Hawaiian Crab Cakes with Coconut Chili Sauce
Vegetarian Spring Rolls with Mint and Cilantro, Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce

“Hot Off the Grill”
Top Sirloin Sliders with Mixed Wild Mushrooms, Goat Cheese, and Port Peppercorn

Tandoori Chicken Skewers with Mango Chutney

Thyme Crusted Lamb Pops with Cranberry Port Balsamic Reduction

Pasta Station
5 Cheese Mac N’Cheese with Rotisserie Chicken (served in Martini Glasses)
Lasagna with Italian Sausage
Mixed Baby Greens with Apples, Dried Currants, Spiced Pecans, and Gorgonzola, Champagne Vinaigrette
Served with Assorted Artisan Baked Breads

Coffee and Light Dessert
Profiteroles with Berries
with Assorted Fresh Seasonal and Tropical Fruits including Strawberries, Fresh Berries, Pineapple, etc.

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It was so much fun planning this Surprise Party. There were guests coming from all parts of San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles to celebrate this 50th birthday for Osmana!

Planned by her husband, he led her to believe that they were meeting a couple friends in Fallbrook and going to one their favorite restaurants in San Diego. Little did she know she was walking right into her own party! There were even special labels with pictures of the birthday girl-made by Carlsbad Wine Merchants, Carlsbad for all the wines they enjoyed that night!

There was a DJ (The birthday gal loves to dance!), a lot of funky, bell wearing Brazilian dancing, and a whole lot of eating going on! The guests raved about the food from the very first appetizer to the last bite of their dinner, and then of course they all made room for a delicious Banana Truffle cake made by the talented fab girls of CAKE!

The Menu:
Passed Appetizers
Seared Scallops with Orange Reduction Sauce on Panko Crusted Sushi Rice Cakes with Micro Wasabi
Crab Cakes with Watermelon Gazpacho Salsa
Duck Wontons with Lemongrass and Thai Purple Basil
Thyme Crusted Lamb Pops with Cranberry Port Balsamic Reduction

Dinner Station
Salad
Mixed Baby Greens Salad with Shaved Fennel, Blueberries, Blackberries, Gorgonzola, Candied Pecans, and Strawberry Champagne Vinaigrette

Main Entrees
Kona Braised Beef Short Ribs with Port and Balsamic Pan Jus, Horseradish Cream
Braised Rosemary Chicken with Orange Apricot Glaze

Sides
Gruyere Potatoes Au Gratin
Seasonal Farm Vegetables
Assorted Breads and Rolls, Butter

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First he told her that they were staying in a hotel. They were actually staying on the beach in Oceanside in a small vacation cottage.
Then he told her they were going to dinner at Pacifica del Mar on Saturday night. They drove from Oceanside to Del Mar and suddenly, he told her, he felt very ill. They turned around to return to the cottage.
They arrived at their beachfront property, to find a romantic dinner table, set for two, with champagne, red wine, candles, and roses. She could not believe her eyes!

They were welcomed by their chef, who poured their wine and let them know the menu for the evening.
Robert, of the “Sensationals” played a private concert of acoustic guitar throughout the dinner as the sun set.

Per Fernando’s request, all food and wine was organic, and of course, all produce was fresh picked from the farm that day.
The menu consisted of:

Following Dinner, Fernando took Tracy for a walk on the beach to settle their stomachs before dessert. He actually was lying for the 3rd time that night. HIs stomach, I am sure, was anything but settled! He had a BIG question to ask her!
They returned, both beaming! Of course, she said YES!!
The chef and the musician were on their way out the door as they returned, a gorgeous platter of mixed Michelle Coulon desserts, mixed farm fresh fruit, and caramelized nuts. Chilled champagne awaited them.

Tracy just couldn’t stop smiling- during the dinner, and after her walk. “This has just been so perfect,” she kept saying.
Men everywhere could definitely learn a thing or two from this romantic!

If you know someone planning to “pop the question”- recommend Dining Details. All he has to do is set the date, book the rental, and lie through his teeth to keep the surprise!

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The board members of the Children’s Abuse Prevention Foundation, now “Promises to Kids” hosted a special dinner for the donors and clients of the foundation on Monday, June 8th.
It was the first dinner party that many of the clients had ever attended. Everyone, donors and clients alike, loved the cuisine, and ate their hearts out!
The menu included:

Bacon, Roasted Pear, Caramelized Onion Tartlettes with Brie and Pt. Reyes Blue
Lemongrass Gingered Chicken Cakes with Coconut Kaffir Lime Drizzle and Micro Cilantro
Melon, Prosciutto, and Fresh Mozzarella Skewers with Mint Vinaigrette

Mixed Greens with Strawberries, Goat Cheese, Candied Pecans
Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Sun Dried Tomatoes, Pine Nuts, Parmesan, and Spinach
Burgundy Tri Tip with Caramelized Sweet Onions and Red Wine Reduction
Wild Mushroom Risotto
Roasted Asparagus
Profiterols and Peanut Butter Brownies

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