New England Blue Crab Cakes

Abbey Filet Wellingtons

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!

Ahi Poke Wontons

The Abbey Catering Photo Booth for fun, personal videos and pictures.

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…

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

The seafood menu has many dishes and this is one catered item for any event.

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….

One of our favorite wedding dish appetizers for your catered menu.

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.

A wedding reception at MoPA catered by the Abbey Catering for wedding guests.

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…

 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.

The Abbey Bar Catering Package for your event or wedding reception.

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.

The Abbey Catering is thanked for their donation to the Alzheimer's Association.

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…..

San Diego Museum Of Man

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 Museum of Man

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…….

Hall of Champions

The Abbey Catering had the Honor of Representing Equality California at the Hall of Champions on April 30, 2011 for their San Diego Equality Awards Ceremony honoring Equality, Leadership and Justice.   At a sit down dinner for 300 guests, that was sponsored by over 30 companies who also supports Equality California, the featured entertainment was Mango and Dango.

Banquet Dinner Setting

The Awards recognized distinguished compatriots who went above and beyond their duties while facing challenges and over coming obstacles. Equality California was founded in 1998, and has helped many individuals throughout its inception and continues to do so in present time. The Abbey Catering was one of the biggest contributors to Equality California and we were proud to represent them at their Awards Banquet with delectable dishes of savory food and scrumptious desserts.

Equality California Awards Speaker

Hall of champions Awards Banquet

Also please LIKE us on facebook.com and stay current on upcoming events, specials, and blogs.  Click here to find out how The Abbey Catering can make your corporate event a success.

Puerto Vallarta Silent Auction

Congrats to the Winner of our Silent Auction for a trip to Puerto Vallarta.

Scott won a trip sponsored by The Abbey Catering during our Equality

California Event hosted by the Hall of Champions located in Balboa Park.

Like us on Facebook to have a opportunity to enter and win at other

upcoming events sponsored by us.

Make your event truly regal with The Abbey Catering & Event Design Co.

Buckingham Palace isn’t the only place in the world where one can say “Do fetch me another diamond tiara”, The Abbey can do that for you too, almost.  In honor of the Royal Wedding of the decade, we are offering anyone name Kate or William a royal-getaway-for-two by providing them with our exclusive Maui penthouse for their own kingly pleasures.

Feeling blue-blooded? Check out some of our Royal Wedding ideas…

Britt Scripps Inn wedding catering venue and party planning spot.

RSVP Robert(Wedding Planner/Event Coordinator) 1-866-535-8949 ext 728

The Abbey Catering

RSVP to the event now by clicking ahead and get complimentary engagement photos….

Event Design wedding decoration for San Diego wedding.

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….

San Diego Event Wedding Couple Thank You Letter

Dear Abbey,

I cannot thank you enough for helping David and I to create the most perfect wedding, EVER!

When I first contacted The Abbey, I thought all the services you offered seemed too good to be true. In reality, you went well above and beyond what was promised, and you are the reason my friends and family are still raving about our perfect wedding!  Finding you was like winning the Lottery!

When we purchased our complete wedding package from you, I didn’t fully realize the exceptional value of the services we were getting.  Not only was the food absolutely to die for, but each and every vendor you helped us choose far exceeded all of our expectations.  A man is measured by the company he keeps, and you certainly keep the company of some quality people.  Everybody we worked with on the wedding was amazing.

DJ Neko had the party rocking from the start, and even the “old folks” were happy with his tasteful music choices!  We will continue to seek him out at places like The Altitude Bar and other venues.  I can’t give enough accolades to photographer Michelle Zuniga, whose photos are just stunning.  She perfectly captured our personalities and our love for one another, and we felt like she was a dear old friend who was there to help us celebrate.  Flour Power’s cake caused a bit of an uproar, because it was so tasty that everybody tried to scramble for seconds.  I’ll be gong back to James and Flour Power for my mom’s birthday cake later this month.  Oh, and speaking of flowers, Anar Floral created the perfect bridal bouquets and centerpieces for our beach-themed wedding, and we couldn’t have been happier.  They did exactly what they said they’d do.

The greatest value that the Abbey provided us, though, was you, my wedding planner.  When I contacted you on the 8th of January for a February 25th wedding, you weren’t even fazed. You took the burden of planninng an entire wedding in just 45 days off of my shoulders and placed it on your own, giving me the opportunity to concentrate on my dress, the guest list and those other time-consuming and stressful details.  You are such a superstar.  From the moment I emailed you at the Abbey, all my worries were over.  Thank you, Abbey, for being our wedding planner, our hero, and our friend.  You ROCK!  We cannot wait to have another occasion to use the Abbey’s excellent service again.

Thank you, Abbey!

All our best,

David and Nancy Salisbury

We work hard for you so that you don’t have to and when a client expresses their gratitude it makes our day even better click ahead  and get started on your big day, Nancy would recommend it….

Wedding ceremonies held here for those planning to use the Abbey Catering.

The Abbey staff answer the Top 5 questions for the Darlington House in La Jolla, a preferred venue of The Abbey Catering.

1: How many guests can fit in the outdoor upper brick patio?

A:  The Darlington House can accommodate up to 180 guests including a dance floor in the outdoor courtyard.

2: Can I get married there?

A: Yes, Darlington House has a water fountain and small pool that is perfect as a ceremony site.  You can fit up to 120 seated, and there are many areas around the perimeter where the gentleman can stand if necessary.

3: Can I bring my own alcohol?

A: Certainly, you’ll need to get bartenders through your selected catering company and see what each of them can offer.  You can also bring your own alcohol to Darlington House and have your caterer serve them for you.

4: What can The Abbey Catering provide you by choosing the Darlington House?

A: Abbey All-Inclusive clients will have their proposals discounted by $1,000 for selecting this Abbey preferred venue.

5: Are tables and chairs included at Darlington House?

A: Darlington House does not include any tables or chairs for your ceremony or reception.  Although, through The Abbey Catering, we can pass along our wholesale rates for equipment rental to provide the best value.

One of many venues to choose from but what a perfect place to hold a ceremony in front of  a beautiful fountain and pond clicking ahead  gets you one step closer to picking the place you want….

Event Design for woman's garden club having gourmet food catering.

Center Table Setting for Special Event created by an event planner.

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….

The Abbey Event Catering gets involved.

The Abbey appreciates all the good fortune we have received through all our patronage given from the community of San Diego County and those surrounding it.  We give our all so that each event is special to those that attend and the best compliment we can receive is a friend or family referral to use our services.

Through such patronage, we are proud to give back to the community which include such organizations as National Association of Catering Executives, the American Red Cross Haiti Earthquake Fund, the Mercy Outreach Surgical Team, Equality California Organization, the Rob Benzon Foundation, the GLBT Historical Society, the San Diego Museum of Man, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the St. James by the Sea Church, Riviera Magazine, and many more.

We, at The Abbey Catering, offer our event design and catering services all throughout San Diego County all the way up to some parts of LA County including communities like La Jolla, Mission Bay, Mission Hills, Rancho Santa Fe, Coronado, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Encinitas,  Hillcrest, Mission Beach, Camp Pendleton, San Marcos, San Luis Obispo, Vista, Bird Rock, Downtown, and most other districts throughout San Diego.

Giving back to your community benefits you as well as your community.  If you wish do a benefit and help your community, join with us, click ahead and give back to your community….

Robert(Wedding Planner/Event Coordinator) 1-866-535-8949 ext 728

The Abbey Catering

Britt Scripps Inn wedding catering venue and party planning spot.

Finding the right venue is as easy as one visit, so take a peek and click ahead so we can expect you at the bridal show….