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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

If you are anything like the team at the Abbey, we know you like to have fun, either acting goofy with your friends and family or making lasting memories in which you can look back on and laugh about later.  So, guess what?  We decided to get a fully functional, state of the art photo booth, with  video capture and access to upload your photos to facebook almost instantly!

You can imagine your surprise as your friends, family and guests take candid shots of which they can share on their facebook instantly or you can have as we conveniently store all the videos and photos onto a usb flash drive, while they get to have the proofs.  This is a great way to entertain everyone as you have some genuine fun making goofy faces, and recording special messages for a seasonal party, wedding, or corporate event, and it makes a great ice breaker as you share the photos you have taken over food, drinks, and a great all around time. You can even come in and check it out for yourself. Oh! And did i mention that the themes can be fully customized for any event, and its mobile, meaning it can be brought to any events catered by the Abbey…now how’s that sound for a little added fun?

 

The Abbey has plenty of ideas to help add more excitement to your event day and we value your thoughts on how we can make it better. Click here and share your ideas…

 

 

No Comments | Tags: abbey, All-Inclusive Wedding Package, art, Corporate Events, event, event design, la jolla, party, photographer, reception, San Diego, venue

A theme is all it takes to turn your party from average to adventurous and fun. The Weiner family wanted to take their daughter’s bat mitsvah one step further than just a party. “Which house would you choose Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, Slytherin?”  The fun movie theme of Harry Potter was perfect for this kind of celebration.  The main dining area was set up similiar to the Hogwarts School dining area with the house name banners and then a side dining area with tables labeled for places within the movie like the Whomping Willow and King’s Cross Station.  You could almost feel the magic.  Hiring the Abbey Catering and Event Design Co along with their event coordinator made this party flow with ease.  From set up to clean up, everything was taken care of –  from keeping the guests appetites fulfilled to being kept busy with a photo shoot where you could dress up as your favorite character from the movie.  Normal parties are things of the past, now themed parties have become more popular and the thing to do.From birthday parties to even weddings it is no longer just a party but an event the host family wants their guests to remember.  Celebrating in style now means having fun while you do it. So…..

 

Who is your favorite Harry Potter character? Come make memories, we can help you host….

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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

Of course you know the bride to be is pampered and prepped to look her best on one of the most memorable days of her life when she is wedded to the man of her dreams….but, what about the guys?
Often there’s only the bachelor party then the wedding and Bam!…the honeymoon. But now the Abbey is proud to the let the men know that we have something special in store for you too! It’s called Project M, and it’s a featured project for men, to groom you to your finest. Featuring everything from hair-cuts, photo preparation and blemish cover up; which is so subtle that even you will not be able to tell the difference. You will look your best for your pics, and get pampered….GQ style. Their motto is “Let us Man-You-Up for your special events!

They don’t just groom you for weddings either….whether its a night on the town, or a photo shoot, they come to you in the privacy of your own home and they even do spray tanning, which drys instantly, doesn’t smell, changes the topical layer of your skin so you actually tan underneath…It goes on easy, sets in 15 minutes, and last 6-12 days. And it actually feels good during the process….what can you say to that guys? But don’t worry gents, they can also do woman too. Its 100% confidential, and in a totally comfortable atmosphere. And ladies if your reading this, now he has no reason to not look his best, as PROJECT – M grooms his physique and relaxes both mind and spirit making sure you both look your best for your pictures.
Last but not least, and this is the best part, you can get all your grooms and brides-maids done too!

Project M has different packages to cater to all your needs, and it’s part of The Abbey’s All Inclusive Package.

 

 

 

Contact us here to find out more about The Abbey’s All Inclusive Package options.

14 Comments | Tags: abbey, All-Inclusive Wedding Package, bride, event, photographer, San Diego, vendors, venue

The Museum of Photographic Arts, located in the heart of Balboa Park in San Diego, is a favorite venue to house a wedding reception for couples such as Kristie and Jarold.  With room enough to hold about 200 guests and access to an open patio for cocktails before dinner, guests get private access to the many beautiful exhibits that pass through this historical building.  There is also access to a photo booth for fun pictures with the guests and a widescreen projector to share photos and other fun life experiences.  The Museum is one of many preferred venues of the Abbey Catering.  This couple and their guests were treated to a lovely cocktail hour with drinks while servers walked around with trays of delicious appetizers consisting of sauteed chicken skewers, hummus on fresh pita bread, coconut shrimp and the favorite ahi on cucumber slices.  Then followed dinner and dancing with a DJ provided as part of their wedding package selected through the Abbey.  As the sun set over the park, the guests completed their memorable experience as Kristie and Jarold departed to begin their honeymoon as a couple now bound as one.

Let one of our Preferred Venues bring beloved memories and joyful smiles to your next celebration…

No Comments | Tags: abbey, bride, event, fine dining, museum, photographer, reception, venue, wedding

 50,000 flowers from the best floral design teams dangled in every possible position as wonderful bouquets and artistic arrangements along the walls and halls of Baloboa Park’s Museum of Art. 

 Where to my delight the beautiful aroma of flowers wafted through the air welcoming me as I entered this scene of fantastic art and floral display. Many mingling and merrily refreshed onlookers wandered amidst surroundings which emanated an ambiance of an enchanted garden. It was In that moment I could feel this was an event put together with style, class and soul. Chilled martini glasses hung as forbidden fruit among orange and ruby roses which transitioned nature and play in a heavenly style, as if they were apples asking to be picked and savored.

As I turned from the menagerie and martini tree toward other delectables I was enticed to find the flavor of the artists and the flavor of the fine dining were in perfect harmony. Each taste from my avant-garde mashed potato martini possessed and mused with the visual taste of the décor and design. While each sip of my classic martini fulfilled my desire while I pondered the magic involved and thirsted for more time among this spellbinding Walk through the Arts. Unknowingly I came to the San Diego Museum of the Arts with an fantastical hunger and left full of wonder, filled in spirit, and rich in taste.

1 Comment | Tags: abbey, art, catering, creative cuisine, cuisine, design, event, event design, Mixer, party, refreshments, San Diego, San Diego Museum of Art, venue

 

 

Worried about exactly how much in beverage your event may require. How are you going to organize getting it to your venue? What are you going to do with what’s left? Our Abbey Bar Package will solve all of your needs. Negotiated at the best cost for you, your package includes highly qualified bartenders who are able to make anything you like and bar equipment with all the fixings. You get beer and wine with the option to upgrade to liquor and free flowing champagne for your guests. That’s not all, each package includes one specialty cocktail to complement your perfect event!   Best of all, you do not need to source, calculate your guests needs, transport or cleanup at the end of your event. Check your prices, it will work in your favor!

 

Contact us here to find out more about The Abbey’s award-winning cuisine.

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The Abbey Catering and Event Design

Thank you so much for your generous in-kind donation of $1,615 of food to our Volunteer Appreciation Wellness Event, honoring the Alzheimer’s Association volunteers.  We are truly grateful for your support.  With your help, we were able to create a memorable evening for our volunteers and interns who provide support group facilitation, art therapy classes, education, outreach, helpline and care consultation assistance, special event planning and execution, board of directors, and much more.

Currently, there are 5.3 million Americans experiencing Alzheimer’s disease and 50,000 within San Diego and Imperial counties.  150,000 caregivers in San Diego and Imperial counties are impacted with the juggling of the needs of their loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.  Our free programs and services provide a lifeline for the caregivers and their loved ones.  Our volunteers are the backbone of these services.

Our Volunteer Appreciation Wellness Event was well received and we could not have done it without your generous support!  Your generosity makes a difference in the lives of our families living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias by enabling our volunteers to take good care of themselves.  We sincerely appreciate your generosity.  Thank you!  We hope you will join our cause at a future event.

Warm Regards

Jeannine – Volunteer Resource Manager

To our friends over at the Alzheimer’s Association, we send our warm regards and know it was our pleasure to be of service.  Till next time, best wishes to all your new endeavors.

The simplest show of gratitude goes a long way, have you been involved with your community lately…..

No Comments | Tags: abbey, Alzheimer's Association, community service, cuisine, event

Just a trolley ride away, The San Diego Museum of Man could be the space for your next special event,
The Museum of Man is a dramatically elegant Venue for your Wedding or Special Event.

 

 

 

It boasts a majestic tower and tiled dome when lit up will delight your guests as they marvel at the seamless flow of the Rotunda which is ideal for mingling or as additional seating for your day. Your guests can meander through exhibits as they engage in good food , cocktails, and good times. This is a destination Venue at the front door of Historic Balboa Park that is not to be missed.

 

San Diego’s Balboa Park has much to offer you and your event if seeking history and beautiful structures and landscaping, is this what you seek or more…….

No Comments | Tags: abbey, catering, reception, San Diego, venue, wedding