A rising star in the catering community here in San Antonio is Columbia Culinary Team (CCT), one of our latest additions to our approved caterers list. Their incredibly creative menu is what sets them apart from any other cater that we’ve worked with yet! They are definetely not serving the bland and dry “catered chicken” at your event. This caterer’s menu is flooded with gourmet renditions of classic and contemporary foods. With items such as the Tandoori Style Quail, Veal Osso Buco or Scampi Modo Mio, your guests will be amazed at restaurant-quality style of food served at your next event.

Prior to opening their doors over 2 1/2 years ago, the CCT catered private events and gained a rather large following here in the Alamo City. Handling crowds of up to 1000 guests (w/events for up to 2000 guests in 2010)  is the same as catering a small dinner party for their team, as they strive to pay attention to the customers needs completely. CCT prides themselves on provided a dining experience that is at least equal to, if not better than that of the city’s best restaurants and we have to agree! Plaza Lecea has had CCT cater numerous in-house events and we have all experienced the first class service and savory dishes. They always have plenty of staff on-site for the events to ensure that every guest has a pleasurable experience.

Some of CCT’s most popular dishes include: Seared pepper crusted tuna on a chipolte cream cheese crisp with chili escabeche, smoked marinated pork loin with a peach jalapeno glaze, and bleu cheese stuffed bacon wrapped dates in a maple sabayon (is your mouth watering yet?!). Executive Chef, Jeff White, has a great ability to create tantilizing dishes for the masses, which is not an easy feat when you have cook the meals in their kitchen and then transport it to an event.

One of our favorite things about CCT is their affordability. Brides on a budget can still serve an amazing meal with quality service to their guests with CCT. Prices start out at $12.50 a person and go to around $50 for the works (majority of the dishes are under $25), but this pricing is also inclusive of porcelain plates and glassware. They also have a unique spin on service style. While most caterers only offer seated or buffet meals, CCT also has an option for family style service in addition to a seated or buffet meal. This is their most requested option, where they deliver large platters of food to each table–kind of like a buffet at your table. Your guests can choose the amount of food and the specific items that they want, fostering a family dinner-like atmosphere.

In addition to catering, CCT also provides bar services, linen, decor and event management services for your event. We are very proud to have such an innovative catering service on our list of approved vendors and we hope that you will check them out as well: www.thecct.net

Since opening their doors in 2000, Absolutely Delicious Catering (ADC), headed by owner Veronica Esparza, has grown to be one of San Antonio’s most successful full-service catering companies. With NACE’s Cater of the Year and President’s Award in hand, ADC has set a standard in the catering industry with in San Antonio. So what exactly do they do that sets ADC apart from the other catering companies? Veronica feels that developing personal relationships with her clients, guaranteeing that ADC exceed expectations is why they have become so successful. She has also worked very closely with her staff to ensure that they are able to grow professionally and personally, making them better employees and happier individuals in the long run.

With nine years of experience, ADC has hit the ground running in the San Antonio market. You will find them in a few dozen venues, working private parties and holding down the fort at their restaurant, Old San Fransisco Steakhouse, where their corporate offices and kitchen are located. ADC can serve up to 7000 people per event and do on average 800 events per year. They are known for their delectable food, but they also can provide rentals (linens, place settings, tents, stages, dance floors, etc), decor (including floral, arches, lighting, drapery, etc) and entertainment. They fequent our facilities as often as possible and we love it when they are out here!

Some of their more popular dishes include their international cuisine, like their Tour of Italy or their South of the Border menu. Our favorite here at Plaza Lecea is their ever so popular Chicken Picatta, garlic scalloped potatoes and vegetable medley. Menu pricing starts at $13 a person and is inclusive a salad (we recommend the spring salad with a raspberry vinaigrette), a protein, a starch, vegetable, roll and either tea or water. ADC is also our exclusive caterer for corporate meals here at Plaza Lecea. We have special pricing for their menus when renting our space. We can offer their breakfast, lunch, snacks for breaks, cocktail hour menus and bar services.

While their food is honestly amazing and completely lives up to their name, we really feel that their service sets them apart. Time and time again, our clients rave about how they felt like they were at a fine dining restaurant when being served by ADC because of their impecable attention to detail and above-and-beyond attitude. Each of their servers that pass through the doors of our facility treat guests as if they were serving them in their home and all reasonable requests are always prompty attended to.

You have many choices for catering here in San Antonio, but we highly recommend you checking out ADC for your next event! You wont be disappointed! Check out their menu here: http://www.absolutelydelicious.com/abdelmenus.pdf or call them at 210.342.2321 for more details.

Looking your best on your wedding day is ESSENTIAL to ensuring that your day is successful and full of lasting memories! As a bride, you want to not only ensure that your day turns out perfect, but that you also look your BEST— especially in your wedding dress!

The wedding dress is considered the prized and most valued commodity in any wedding… and although weddings are not only about the bride, many highly regard the bride to be the “centerpiece” of the wedding. As a result, brides often commence their wedding preparations by first selecting their wedding dress—which alone can be an extremely difficult task if you don’t know what you’re looking for.

There is such an abundance of dresses to choose from, and a bride can often become overwhelmed by the breadth of variety when shopping for this memorial occasion….so what better way to find the “perfect dress for your perfect day” than by experimenting a little!

Here’s where you can start! …

Linda Asaf Designs of Austin, TX carries one of a kind, unique designs known for their classic silhouettes with edgy details made from luxurious fabrics from around the globe. Brides and women alike are attracted to these works of craftsmanship because of their flirtatious yet powerful irony that sends a modern message of strength and glamour with no regrets. Her designs have been sold in world-class retailers such as Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom as well as upscale boutiques nationwide.

Linda is a proud business owner in the state’s capitol with an immense passion and satisfaction for working directly with her clients. You can view more of her collection at http://www.lin/daasaf.com/. In the meantime, check out these pics…

Each month we will feature one of our approved vendors for  Plaza Lecea brides. For our first vendor spotlight we wanted to showcase An Event to Remember/The Wedding Connection, our exclusive linen provider.

An Event to Remember offers full service catering, linens and decor for the modern or traditional bride. One of the most important elements for an event is ambiance and they create the best environment to entertain your guests. They focus on the details that will set your event apart all the while creating delicious food and unforgettable decor. From their innovative plating techniques (for your hors’duerves and entrees) to their intricate floral designs, An Event to Remember has become a forerunner in the catering/event market in San Antonio. To top it off, their dinner pricing starts at only $9 per person.

A complete linen package is included with every evening package from Plaza Lecea, and our brides have over forty colors to choose from in satin or organza. Most brides will find a color to match their theme and they have the option of upgrading their linen package as well. Some of their upgraded fabrics include crushed velour, pintucks, and patterned satin and organza.

More and more of our brides are turning to An Event to Remember because of their full service catering packages that include floral centerpieces. An Event to Remember team member will carefully help you incorporate your colors/theme into an original floral design to add the finishing touches to your reception. Using a vendor for multiple elements will surely help simplify your wedding planning process.

For more information about An Event to Remember, please visit the An Event to Remember website or their catering & event blog for more trends and informative tips for your next event.