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Testimonials to The Abbey

Appetizers are the first taste of food the guest have, so here at The Abbey we make sure they’re delicious. There are so many appetizers we have created and fine tuned, and I would like to share some of them with you.

Crab cakes are a huge hit at every party site we go to. The flavors blend together so well and once they are sautéed in a touch of butter the golden color makes them look and taste spectacular. Fresh cilantro, Dijon mustard, old bay and many other ingredients make our crab cakes a definite crowd pleaser.

Our new and improved shrimp skewers have been grabbing much attention as well.  These skewers are paired with marinaded bell peppers and onions, char-grilled and finished with a freshly made spiced apricot glaze.

Next up are our Filet Wellington bites; a puff pastry shell that is stuffed with filet, garlic, cheese and upon request, bacon. There is so much flavor packed inside these bite size appetizers, and once topped with a homemade roasted garlic red wine reduction sauce most people just can’t eat one.

The last appetizer I would like to share with you is our Ahi Poki wontons.  Minced mangoes and soy sauce, fresh herbs and much more are served on top of a flash-fried wonton round.  When you let these flavors marinate overnight it brings together a colorful, delicious and satisfying appetizer.

There are so many more to speak about, so be sure to check back on our blog to see what the kitchen is making next week!

Chef Matt and the kitchen team are always cooking up new and fascinating menus. To be part of a tasting, contact us now and have your needs catered for!

1 Comment | Tags: abbey, appetizers, chef, cuisine, reception, San Diego

The only thing that outdoes the beautiful sensations brought by our eclectic event set designs would be the warm air coasting out from our kitchen. Warm breezes that bring with them mouth watering scents of some of the most delicious food known to the world.

The grandness of our food is due the keen eye of our head chef Matt who overseas the careful preparation of our food by perfectly executing each recipe and creating the best with the best. Matt will keep a vigilant eye on the process at all moments, from the sit-down tasting to the dinner plating. Our head chef is always concerned with imbuing that divine flavor into each tasty morsel. While if ever our head chef Matt is too busy upon perfecting one dish, The Abbey Catering also employs 12 trained and professional chefs prepared to create for you the perfect catering experience.
Now, if you don’t find that food which tickles your taste-buds on our menu feel free to talk with your event coordinator and without any hesitation we will have some of your favorite dishes ready to be served and savored for the hour of your tasting. It’s what we do. We work with you, we create a menu that blends absolutely with your desire.

Our ability to design food is absolutely extensive, here are just a few elegant examples.

Preparing and cooking tasteful dishes is just part of what we as caterers enjoy doing. Why not let us find a slice of happiness by helping you plan your next event…

 

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I received a call 3 weeks ago from an Abbey patron and was asked to create a perfect dinner for two. It was to be the dinner at which the question of questions was to be asked. I eagerly accepted, for that is the reason we live for – to help two individuals dreams come true. I worked with Lester to present the ideal menu to my Executive Chef Matt, who amped up our vision to a culinary masterpiece. When our guests arrived at their beach-side couture picnic, they were greeted by Matt himself who dazzled them with a seafood salad in vinaigrette and a table-side seared filet with grilled vegetables. As the sun set, Matt was blessed to witness the proposal and the resounding “Yes!” At the Abbey, we love what we do, and it was a true honor to be a part of this magical evening with two very special people. Your memorable moments are what makes all our hard work worth the effort.

What moment would you like to create for a special someone….

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Whoever would have thought that picking food for your event could ever be so much fun?  By scheduling a tasting with one of our event planners you have the opportunity to sample some of our chefs’ most delicious dishes and then share it with your friends and family when you have that dish catered at your event.  Our chefs cook every day working to master new recipes and create dishes they can call their very own.  Reading about food is making your mouth water isn’t it? That’s exactly what we want to happen.  When you walk into our kitchens your senses are teased with a variety of savory smells.  Some of our classics here include coconut crusted golden shrimp, the abbey signature salad with raspberry vinaigrette and even the lobster tail you see here.  Are we missing something?  Not a problem because we can work with you to create a menu of your choosing.  Hungry yet?  I’m off to the kitchen to try something new right now.

Are you a food lover? Scheduling a tasting with one of our planners is the first step to having a successful event….

No Comments | Tags: abbey, catering, cuisine, menu selection, sushi, tablescape

The Abbey is absolutely the best catering and event design company in the region.  My fiance and I chose the Abbey after doing a bunch of research, and we have not been disappointed!  We booked their wedding package, and went in for our food tasting today.  Everything was marvelous!  Matt, the chef, created an amazing assortment of dishes for our big day, and everything was delicious.  I loved the appetizer selections and main course choices – they were so different from traditional wedding cuisine.  We ended up choosing a bunch of different appetizers for the cocktail hour, including ceviche that will be served from a martini tree.  For dinner, Matt suggested (which we loved) that we go with stations.  I am super excited about the shrimp mac&cheese station.  The sample was hands down the best gourmet mac&cheese we have ever had.  I was a bit picky in telling them what I wanted, and the Abbey Catering and Event Design created the perfect meal.  Our wedding isn’t until September, but I am so looking forward to the real thing in a few months!  Everyone is so helpful at the Abbey and I have enjoyed working with their entire team.   — from client posted review 4/19/2011

 

We do what we know and that seems to be working for us and our clients and we know food best click ahead  and get scheduled for your tasting….

No Comments | Tags: abbey, bride, catering, chef, cuisine, event design, fine dining, wedding

The members of the La Jolla Garden Club arrive with decorations fully setup, the tables stocked with food, the Abbey servers patiently await to refill platters and answer questions as the event moves toward great success.  How did all this happen?  Preparation for all our events start many hours before and sometimes even a couple days before the event actually takes place.  We want to make sure the food tastes just right and that the layout looks just like what our clients have envisioned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This specific event belongs to the  ladies of the La Jolla Garden Club and was hosted at the Cuvier Club in beautiful La Jolla, CA.  There was plenty of food for tasting and a book signing or two for small talk as the ladies began to stream in the door.  As they walked in they were met with beautiful standing flower vases and red luxurious quilt.  Entering the event hall the ladies gazed at tables filled with such things as scones, individual cakes and a variety of finger sandwiches.  Ornate, red umbrellas placed in stands floated overhead and fun decorative flower arrangements filled the center of the guest tables.  All was in place and the event begins.

 

All we need is a little time to prepare and you will get the event you always wanted.  Its as easy as clicking ahead and giving us a little direction and then we’ll take the lead….

No Comments | Tags: abbey, catering, chef, cuisine, cuvier club, event, event design, la jolla, tablescape, venue

This couple desired a small intimate setting for their wondrous wedding. Held in the beautiful Fish Bowl on La Jolla beach, the location left a feeling of warmth and coziness as an amazing ocean breeze gently floated over the coast.

The reception was flowing with white linens and Babycakes providing their perfect touch with delectable cupcakes. Flowers with abundant colors were provided by Flower Frenzy and centered each table shouting vibrantly to every attending guest. The wedding couple could not have been more beautiful, and the Abbey was delighted to cater to their every need and fill them with our renowned braised short ribs and salmon on croute.

Laughter and love filled every moment, and not one of those moments escaped Kim Bly’s camera throughout their special day. It was kept within its intimate setting and every moment was loved and cherished! It couldn’t have suited them better.

Why not make the center of your universe, simply perfect.  We know how to do it right the first time, click ahead and right now you can share what you want and we can focus are full energy on you…

No Comments | Tags: abbey, catering, ceremony, event design, floral, party, reception, wedding

For an enchanted bride-to-be there are only a few places on earth for the most perfect wedding. There was nothing bashful or quiet about this wedding. From beginning to end its brilliant colors and the exquisite church left all with a jaw dropping memory!

The vibrant royal blue was the main color of the wedding and thus, everything else seemed to fall into place. It was held at the Immaculata Church at USD which couldn’t have been a more suited place with its desirable blue ceilings and wall draperies. Eighty guests were invited to this special ceremony to have their hearts filled with love and joy for the couple’s special union.  The reception was held at the La Jolla Women’s Club. It was also decorated with royal blue linens center pieces with a broad range of bright colorful flowers, and accompanied with silver chivari chairs that brought class to the room like no other.

Guests experienced fine dining provided by the Abbey Catering and an open bar to with a wide selection of cocktails. DJ Randy kept all on their feet throughout the afternoon and not a moment passed that Julie Buchta didn’t capture with her amazing photography. This was most certainly one for the books and will be talked about in a once upon a dream for ever and always!

The color scheme mesmorized every guest instantly and your wedding can be just the same, so click ahead and tell us a story we could tell our children about your ceremony with your prince charming…

No Comments | Tags: abbey, All-Inclusive Wedding Package, floral, photographer, reception, wedding

The Nelson Wedding was a one of a kind wedding with nothing routine about it. On March 26th the Nelson party gathered at Ocean View Villas in San Diego, California for the wedding of Kelda and Erick.  The bride and groom wanted a real casual, fun, social wedding, that was different from your typical traditional wedding. This allowed us to get creative and really have some fun with the design. There was not any assigned seating at this wedding and instead we choose to use lounge furniture and belly bar tables to provide spots for the guests to hang out, lounge, and have a good time. There were tables and chairs for some guests, but the idea was not to force people to be sitting down the whole wedding, which gave the wedding a great vibe and guests had an awesome time. This wedding is an example of what we as a company can provide to those who choose to stray from the “typical wedding”; not that there is anything wrong with the ”typical wedding”, but it is not for everyone.

 

 

 

After the wedding we jumped right into our cocktail hour and provided our guests with some of our signature appetizers and drinks. We then prepared for the grand entrance and shortly after The newly wed’s family and friends were treated to 3 dinner stations: Our custom “SHAKEN NOT STIRRED,  SALAD STATION.” Our “TASTE OF HOME” station including Chianti-Braised Short Ribs with a Red-wine DemiGlace, Rosemary Scented and Parmesan Mashed Potatoes and Grilled Market Vegetable Garnish. The “TASTE OF THE ORIENT” station with Marinated, grilled, sliced chicken breast, Buckweat soba noodles/With Garlic Soy Reduction Pan Roasted Summer Vegetables/Button Mushrooms/Thai Peppers/Onions served in Chinese TOGO boxes with Individual Chopsticks. After dinner the newly weds cut their Norwegian cake and we opened up the DESSERT STATION with Individual Creme Brulee’s topped with fresh blueberries.

Typical is not how we do things at the Abbey, and we know you don’t want a typical wedding, click ahead and make your wedding unique to you…

No Comments | Tags: abbey, bride, catering, event, tablescape, vendors, wedding

March 2nd is just another normal day to you but to the Tucay and McCluney family it will always represent a union of two very special people in their lives. The two newlyweds chose to get married at Levyland in Carlsbad, with their families gathered under the San Diego sun for an intimate yet casual wedding ceremony. After the ceremony we moved into cocktail hour where the guests were treated to our delicious appetizers including: Coconut-crusted Golden Shrimp, Pita bread with a sweet Indian curry hummus, and Ahi Poke on cucumber slices to name a few. With good music, good people, good food, and good drinks this made for a great wedding reception.

After cocktail hour we moved right into dinner service, starting with the bride and groom we served our signature Abbey salad consisting of Mixed Greens with Dried Cranberries, Caramelized Walnuts and Crumbled Imported Feta with our homemade raspberry vinaigrette. After salad service was complete we opened the buffet and excused the tables individually to get their entrees. The Entrees included in dinner service were Salmon En Croûte (Fresh Wild Salmon wrapped in puff and stuffed with sautéed spinach, Wild Mushrooms and Goat Cheese) and Chargrilled Chicken topped with a Cream Buerre Blanc/Thyme Sauce.  After dinner the newlywed and their family and friends danced the night away!

 

 

Does this menu melt your taste buds or do you have something more delicious in mind, click ahead and share your savory ideas…

No Comments | Tags: abbey, art, catering, ceremony, floral, reception, wedding