Appetizer parties are a lot of fun for you and your guests and can solve many problems in entertaining for you. Though some people think that appetizer parties are not “filling” enough, we feel that an appetizer menu can be created and embellished to satisfy any event or situation.

Because of the nature and use of appetizer parties to meet a variety of needs, it is more difficult to “package” these events into a one price format. Hence, we have developed our format in such a way to fit most all parties.

Please remember that nothing we do is cast in cement. Your party is unique and special to us. If our format doesn’t fit your needs or desires, simply call and arrange a consultation to create a menu and format specific to your needs.

The creation of your menu
We have developed our format in a way that has been most popular with parties in the past. We have a basic buffet on the bottom of this page. To that you may add menu selections, which are either enhancements to the buffet or served as butler passed canapés. Butler passing may require more labor depending upon overall menu and party needs; however, it does add an elegant touch to any event. Remember that appetizer parties are used to fit all types of different needs. Because of this fact, you will also see salads, light entrees, desserts, and carved roasts as part of our appetizer party offerings. These are all excellent methods of either providing for those events that wish to insure no guest goes away without getting enough to eat.

The best way to develop your party menu is to envision your event and the needs you wish to fulfill, look over the menu format, think of the service style which you feel would be right for your event, get an overall budget in mind, call us with any questions regarding your event, and start the process of creating your party.

When you’re at that point, call for a consultation at your site (we must always view a site prior to final pricing commitments) and we can finalize your entire event or return to our offices to create a proposal for you to review. Now, it’s time for you to get started. Enjoy!!

 

Basic Appetizer Buffet

Basic Buffet Price: $6.95 per person. You are not required to use the basic appetizer buffet. You may take some items from it or just order from our appetizer sections. Prices increase when not using basic appetizer format.

• Imported and domestic cheeses garnished with fresh fruit
• Crudite - raw and blanched vegetables w/ a variety of dips
• Antipasto - a selection of pepperoncini, olives, marinated artichoke hearts, mini corn, salamis.

Your choice of (select one):

• Italian Sun Torte Layers of pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, and cheeses layered into a colorful and tasty terrine then surrounded by bruschetta (Italian Salsa).
• Aztec Sun Corn and black bean relish, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream in concentric rings w/ chips.
• Smoked Salmon Terrine A blend of cream cheese, green onions, dill, and capers w/ chunks of smoked salmon formed into a terrine.

Your choice of (select one):

• Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip
• Hot Black Bean & Green Chile Dip w/ Tortilla Chips
• An Assortment of Crackers and sliced Baguette

 

Salads

Many people like to add salads to their buffet. Select any three salads for $3.00 per person or $1.25 for each. Select from the following choices:

• Country Potato Salad
• Tri-Color Pasta Salad
• All American Coleslaw
• Herbed Four Bean Salad
• Cucumber and Red Onion Salad
• Corn, Bean, and Cilantro Salad
• Curried Rice Salad
• Angel Hair al Fresco Salad
• Chinese Vegetable Salad
• Oriental Pea & Nut Slaw
• Orzo & Smoked Turkey Salad
• Baked Potato Salad
• Winter Vegetable Salad
• Grilled Vegetable Salad
• Greek Orzo Salad
• Thai Coleslaw
• Thai Noodle Salad
• Tossed Cobb Pasta Salad
• Sicilian Antipasta & Red Potato Salad
• Mama’s Macaroni Salad
• Wild Rice Salad w/ Dried Cranberries & Toasted Pecans
• Penne Pesto Pasta Salad
• Marinated Potato & Gorgonzola Salad
• Basmati Rice & Bacon Salad
• Bruschetta Pasta Salad
• Baja Pasta Salad
• Caesar Pasta Salad
• Marinated Mushroom & Red Pepper Salad
• Green Bean, Walnut & Feta Salad
• Oven Roasted Tomato & Garlic Pasta Salad
• Greek Style Tortellini Salad
• Greek Vegetable Salad

Creamy California Seafood Salad or Mexican Chicken and Red Grape Salad
add $.95 per person

Caesar Salad, Spring Greens w/ Feta, Toasted Pine Nuts & Sun-Dried Tomatoes, or a Garden Salad of Mixed Greens w/ Fresh Vegetables w/ Dressings
add $.50 per person

 

Appetizer Ideas

Add selections from the following sections to your basic buffet to create an even more exciting menu. Prices for sections are when using basic appetizer buffet. Prices increase when not using basic appetizer buffet.

Section A: Select any 2 for $2.25 or any 3 for $3.00 per person

• Fried Chicken Nuggets w/ Dipping Sauces
• Grilled Sausage Bites w/ Dipping Sauces
• Mini Quiche Roasted Garlic & Goat Cheese Tray
• Fried Mozzarella Fingers w/ Marinara
• Deviled Eggs
• Party Spirals
• Beer Battered Onion Rings or French Fries
• Fried Ravioli w/ Dip
• Grilled Vegetable Crudite’ w/ Dip
• Hummus and Grilled Eggplant Dip w/ Pita
• Chinese Dim Sum - (Won Tons, Egg Rolls, Pot stickers; choose one)
• Mini Quiche
• Miniature Mexican Treats (taquitos, burritos, mini tacos, or cheese quesadillas; choose one.)
• Meatballs in Sauce (Marsala, Barbecue, Marinara, Ginger-Honey, Curry or Sweet & Spicy)
• Chicken Wings (Barbecue, Teriyaki, Fajita, Caribbean, Curry or Italian)
• Greek Feta & Eggplant Dips with Pita
• Fresh Seasonal Fruit Platter

Section B: Select any 2 for $3.25 or and 3 for $4.00 per person

• Roasted Chicken Tenders (Marsala, Barbecue, Marinara, Ginger-Honey, Curry, or Sweet & Spicy)
• Buffalo Wings w/ Bleu Cheese Dip
• Finger Sandwiches
• Breaded Parmesan
• Artichoke Heart
• Mini Rueben Sandwich
• Gourmet Ravioli w/ Sauce - Lobster, Shrimp, Grilled Veg, Portabello w/ Sauces
• Baked Brie en Croute (Wild Mushroom, Caramelized Nut, Raspberry-Almond, Apricot-Pecan or Macadamia-Mango)
• Assorted Stuffed Pastry (Mushroom-Marsala, Florentine, Sausage Florentine, Spanokopita, etc.)
• Beef or Chicken Skewers (Fajita, Barbecue, Teriyaki, Ginger-Sesame, Thai, 3-Pepper, Indian)
• Croustades (Fresh Mozzarella w/ pesto & tomato, Fresh Mozzarella w/ tomato & basil, Fresh Mozzarella and Bruschetta, Roasted Garlic & Goat Cheese, Grilled Eggplant & Chevre w/ Red Peppers)
• Stuffer Items (Cherry tomato, mushroom caps, Belgian endive, etc. stuffed with Gorgonzola Cream, Pesto Cream, Sun-Dried Tomato Cream, Sour Cream w/ Bacon & Chives, Chevre w/ Herbs, etc.)
• Pizza Bites(cheese, pepperoni, sausage, peppers, onions, mushrooms, ham, pineapple, olives)
• Assorted Mexican Hot Canapé - Chicken Quesadilla, Beef, Chicken or Spinach Empanadas, Veg, Quesadilla, Chicken Tequila Burrito, Southwest Spring roll, or Chicken Santa Fe.
• Assorted Chinese Dim Sum- Such as: Spring Rolls,Won Tons, Cha Su Bao, Seafood Rangoon, Pot Stickers

Section C: Select any 2 for $3.75 or 3 for $5.25 per person

• Chefs’ Finger Sandwiches
• Cucumber & Salmon Rosettes
• Leek, Pancetta & Goat Cheese Tart
• Shrimp Spring Rolls
• Mushroom Tart
• Date Rumaki
• Filo wrapped Asparugus
• Cantonese Pork Ribs
• Coconut Fried Chicken
• Croissant Finger Sandwiches
• Grilled Beef & Scallion Rolls
• Salmon Pinwheels
• Peeler Shrimp w/ Cocktail Sauce
• Seafood Stuffed Pastry
• Apple w/ Curried Chicken Salad
• Cucumber stuffed w/ Smoked Salmon Tartare
• Armadillo Eggs w/ Dipping Sauce
• Proscuitto de Parma & Provencal Black Olive Tapenade on Sourdough
• Vegetable Tempura
• Croustades (Bleu Cheese and Bacon, Brie w/ Fruit Preserves & Nuts, Brie w/ Wild Mushroom, Chevre & Figs, Bleu Cheese & Peppered Beef, Horseradish & Beef w/ Caramelized Onions, Gorgonzola & Pear)
• Stuffer Items (Cherry tomato, mushroom caps, Belgian endive, red potatoes, etc. stuffed with Smoked Salmon Cream, Sour Cream & Caviar, Cheddar & Port, Seafood Salad, etc.)
• Pizza (Gorgonzola w/ Caramelized Onion, Smoked Salmon w/ Creme Fraiche & Caviar, Wild Mushroom, Sun- Dried Tomato & Chevre, Brie w/ Mango, Fajita Chicken, Gourmet Sausage, Barbecued Pork, etc.)
• Quesadillas (Gorgonzola w/ Caramelized Onion, Smoked Salmon w/ Creme Fraiche & Caviar, Wild Mushroom, Sun-Dried Tomato & Chevre, Brie w/ Mango, Fajita Chicken, Gourmet Sausage)
• Gourmet Oriental Hot Canapé- Szechwan Beef Spring roll, Cashew Chicken Spring roll, Thai Money Bag, Sesame Chicken w/ Mango Sauce

Section D: Select any 2 for $6.00 or 3 for $7.25 per person

• Gravlax Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail
• Chilled Fajita Prawns
• Crab Cakes w/ dipping sauce
• Whole Poached Salmon
• Scallop Rumaki
• Fried Calamari w/ Dips
• Lamb Tika Skewers
• Swordfish Brochettes
• Hot Crab Dip
• Vietnamese Summer Roll w/ Dipping Sauce
• Smoked Salmon Tartar w/ Ginger & Sesame
• California or Vegetable Roll Sushi
• Glazed Shrimp Brochette
• Portabello Pizza
• Tempura Shrimp
• Sautéed Shrimp Almondoro
• Deviled Mussels Dijon
• Teriyaki Salmon Skewers
• Open Faced London Broil Sandwich
• Fresh Oysters
• Portabello Mushroom Purse
• Smoked Chicken, Brie & Cilantro Wrap
• Gravlax on Potato Rounds w/ Citrus Creme Fraiche
• Mini Beef or Chicken Wellington
• Croustades (Gravlax w/ Creme Fraiche, Pepper Crusted Beef Tenderloin w/ Horseradish Cream & Onion Relish, Pulled Hawaiian Pork w/ Ginger-Honey, White Beans & Shrimp, etc.)
• Stuffer Items (Cherry tomato, mushroom caps, Belgian endive, red potatoes, etc. stuffed with Crab Salad, Shrimp Salad, Curried Chicken, Smoked Salmon Tartar, Pancetta w/ lettuce & Gorgonzola Ranch, etc.)
• Pizza (Shrimp Scampi, Proscuitto w/ Fig & Spiced Pecan w/ Creme Fraiche, Duck w/ Hoisin, Lobster Thermidor, Panchetta w/ Goat Cheese & Pineapple, Cambozola w/ Apple & Spiced Walnut,etc.)
• Quesadillas (Shrimp Scampi, Proscuitto w/ Fig & Spiced Pecan w/ Creme Fraiche, Duck w/ Hoisin, Panchetta w/ Goat Cheese & Pesto, Cambozola w/ Apple & Spiced Walnut.)

Section E: Select any 2 for $7.00 or any 3 for $9.00

• Finger Lobster
• Lox w/ Mini Bagels
• Spicy Ahi Tartar on Daikon or Wonton Chip
• Smoked Salmon Tostada
• Coconut Prawns w/ Pepper
• Jelly Grilled, Minted Lamb Riblets
• Maple-Chile Grilled Quail
• Sesame Seared Ahi Canapé w/ Ginger-Wasabe
• Spicy Tuna or Smoked Salmon Sushi
• Roast Duck w/ Sweet Potato Pancake & Pomegranate Sauce
• Bacon Wrapped Prawn w/ Apricot BBQ Glaze
• Seafood Stuffed Filo Cups
• Southwestern Seared Ostrich w/ Roasted Corn
• Latke Lobster Thermidor in Filo
• Fig Stuffed w/ Fruit Salsa & Wrapped in Bacon- Crème fraiche
• Grilled Rare Ahi Nicoise on Purple Peruvian Potatoes

 

Desserts

Many people like to add sweets at the end of their appetizer buffet. Here are some great ideas!

Fresh Fruit, Seasonally priced Chocolate Fondue w/ Cake Squares and Fruit $2.50 per person

An assortment of cookies and brownies $1.95 per person

An assortment of finger desserts including bars, cookies, cheesecake squares, etc. $4.95 per person

Chocolate Truffles $3.25 per person

Full Sized Dessert Selection $4.95 per person

 

Light Entrees:

To further enhance your party or in situations, we offer the following light entrees for your consideration. Of course, there are many, many other ideas which can be added here. Feel free to make suggestions of your own. Priced when accompanied with other items.

Pasta Dishes: served with garlic bread

• Penne w/ Chicken, artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes in a light olive oil and garlic rich sauce. $3.50
• Pasta with Sauce: Your choice of penne, bowtie, linguini, with marinara, pesto cream or alfredo sauce. Served with grated parmesan. $1.95
• Pasta Bar: Select any pasta and 2 sauces from above and combine with a variety of vegetarian toppings. $3.50
• Pasta Bar Deluxe: Select any pasta and 2 sauces from above and combine with a variety of vegetarian, meat and seafood toppings. $4.50
• Tortellini or Ravioli w/ Sauce: We have a variety of tortellini or ravioli to choose from. We will pair your choice with an appropriate sauce. These can truly enhance your menu! Varies
• Florentine Lasagna: A vegetarian spinach and cheese lasagna that meets everyone needs. $3.00
• Grilled Vegetable Lasagna: A delectable blend of grilled squash, peppers, eggplant and onions with cheeses and sauce. A true crowd pleaser. $3.50
• Wild Mushroom Lasagna: Our house specialty. A blending of mushrooms, onions, marsala wine and cream with cheeses that is an earthly delight. $3.95
• Italian Sausage Lasagna: A traditional meat lasagna full of robust flavor. $3.50

Meat and Poultry Entrees:

• Line Carved Roast Beef or Baked Ham: Served with rolls and condiments for creating your own fresh mini sandwich.. $3.25
• Line Carved Roast Breast of Turkey: Served with rolls and condiments for creating your own fresh mini sandwich. $3.50
• Line Carved Pepper Crusted Tenderloin of Beef: Served with rolls and condiments for creating your own fresh mini sandwich. $5.95
• Pulled, Barbecued Beef or Pork: Served with rolls and condiments for creating your own fresh mini sandwich. $3.25

Taco Bar: Your choice of beef or turkey taco meat with corn tortilla shells and all the trimmings. $3.50

Fajita Bar: Your choice of beef or chicken with peppers and onions & flour tortillas and all the trimmings. $4.25

Shrimp Fajita Bar: Marinated shrimp fajitas with peppers and onions & flour tortillas and all the trimmings. $5.25

Grilled Breast of Chicken: Select from Fajita, Marsala, Italian, Curry, or many others. Served on a bed of appropriate flavored rice. $4.95

 

Beverage Service

Coffee Service $1.25

Fruit Punch, Lemonade or Ice Tea $1.25

Coffee and Iced Tea, etc. $2.00

 

Service Styles

Linen & Skirting for buffets included, table linen separate.

Casual Service
Heavy-duty disposable 6 inch plastic plates, cocktail sized napkins, plastic forks. Clear plastic beverage ware for chilled non alcoholic beverages and heavy duty paper cup for any hot beverage such as coffee (if provided). $1.25 - $2.00 per person

Elegantly Casual Service…. Attractive, heavy duty disposable 71/2 inch plastic plates with matching fork and a paper napkin of your color choice (from Sysco selection). Clear plastic beverage ware for chilled non alcoholic beverages and heavy duty plastic cup for any hot beverage such as coffee (if provided). All plastic ware in matching colors; your choice of white, black or clear. $2.25 - $3.00 per person

** Provision of beverage ware for alcohol is extra for the two styles shown above.

Continental Service….. Attractive 6 - 7 inch china appetizer plates. polished stainless fork and full sized dinner napkins in your choice of color (from Sysco selection). Glassware for your entire beverage needs including wine, beer and champagne service. Glassware for the service of a hard alcohol bar is extra. $3.25 - $4.75 per person

Butler Passing….. In situations where we are butler passing appetizers directly to your guests handheld napkin (not to a plate), and providing all of the glassware as in the Continental Service, your price would be: $1.00 - $2.50 per person

If we were Butler Passing and everything was as it is in Continental Service, then the price would be: $4.25 - $5.95 per person

As always, if your situation is unique, just give us a call and let us know what you would like to do. We will propose a price specific to your event and needs.

If you wish for us to use a larger plate for your guests, please add $.50 per person to the price.

Your party is charged in this manner: food or menu price, service style, labor charges, service charge and sales tax. Labor charges are as follows. Service staff are billed at $15.00 per hour per staff for the total time that you have them at your party. Should your event require kitchen staff, chef labor is billed at $25.00 per hour and cooking staff is billed at $15.00 per hour.

Labor charges can vary greatly depending upon your selection of menu, service style, and length of the party. Please consult with us regarding your overall menu to see whether a chef or kitchen staff will be required so that you may complete your labor estimates. Your service charge is billed at 18% of the food and service style and tax (currently at 7.25%) is based upon your food cost, service style and service charge (by order of the State Board of Equalization, all mandatory service charges must be taxed).

Prices are based upon a minimum of 100-200 guests. Guest guarantees of 76 - 99 should add 10% to the food price. Guest guarantees of 35 - 75 should add 15% to the food price. Parties of less than 35 should consult our drop-off Tray Work Brochure.