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…

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…

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.

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…….

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….

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….

The original Abbey built for royal ceremonies, events, weddings and other parties.

The most talked about event of this year will likely be the royal wedding of Prince William and his lovely bride to be Kate Middleton.  All happening on the 29th of this month this very exclusive, all inclusive event has been on the lips of many over the previous months.

Imagining your own wedding right now? Wouldn’t you like to have your own Royal Wedding, filled with the same luxurious foods, colors and ambiance of which all your guests will talk about for years to come?

Just one of many choices to decorate your wedding cake prepared by our favorite catering vendors.

We can help you make it happen, with our highly qualified staff. We will take care of your every need and treat you like the royalty you are. Just talk with our Event Planners to get started today.

Be treated like royalty for one day, ask about our exclusive royal wedding package and let us see what we can do for you.

This couple brought an amazing twist to a special day not only for theme but to friends and guests as well!! Working with the deaf community, her wedding was catered with interpreters for the deaf. The wedding ceremony, toast, and dance were catered with interpreters for all guests to love, cherish, and enjoy. It was truly remarkable and left a spot for softness in all guests’ hearts.

Neatly designed wedding cake by food caterer to fit your gourmet desires.

Table setting for wedding ceremony created by catering and event planning staff.

Getting married? Then get event planners to create your wedding reception.

Each table had center pieces of three foot vases designed by Artquest Florists. The vases were filled with floating lemons and a beautiful arrangement of yellow, white, and red roses bursting from the top, while full bloom pussy willows wept enchantment over the table. Held at the La Jolla Women’s Club, the reception provided a perfect pinch of elegance and spring class!

Flower arrangements vary in size, shape and color but each has its own aura of elegance and beauty.  Click ahead and share you ideas for  flower arrangements and event designs….

Events and Ceremonies can get plenty of catering and design work done.

We tell no lie when we say there was a red carpet and paparazzi.  Dressed to kill like the stars, these 400 guests were dressed to impress and walk the runway like it was theirs for the taking. Once inside, guests were able to wonder about and enjoy delectable food from one of the four tables provided by Abbey Catering. Each station contained, pan seared chicken breast in orange chicken marinade and drizzled with lemon and caper beurre blanc sauce and citrus infused basmati rice with diced seasonal grilled vegetables, and eclectic dessert bites!
Guests loved the brilliance and enthusiasm this event brought, the time and effort gone into this event was noticed and the company was overjoyed.

The Cuvier Club is the perfect place to host an awards ceremony.  Click ahead and create a rewarding awards ceremony for those you work with and the many great accomplishments each one has achieved….

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Beautiful flowers for your wedding ceremony or wedding photos.

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.

Gourmet catering for your event or wedding ceremony or reception.

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…

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.

Wedding bouquet for the bride getting married, Catch It!

The Wedding Ceremony and the exchange of wedding vows.

Wedding ceremony after party hosted by us the catering and event staff.

That perfect wedding cake for those fun wedding photos...cake in your face.

Catering menu picked and tables set for gourmet foods and caterer special dishes.

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…

Getting married was the first step, having a beautifully catered reception second.

Diversity at your event is simple with a little help from the Abbey. Two-Hundred and eighty guests enjoyed this ceremony which was held at the North Chapel at Liberty Station and decorated with the simple elegance of yellow roses near the alter. The reception was held downtown at the Culy House, and brought a pizzazz that enlightened the occasion with the brilliance of a modern look, without losing its traditional roots! Located in the heart of the Gaslamp district in downtown San Diego, this venue was originally built in 1914 as a truck company, and its brilliants remains today as a warehouse for events special enough for this couples Wedding day!!

Short chianti braised short ribs and panko crusted chicken breast with gorgonzola cream sauce filled the guest rumbling stomachs and was accompanied with delectable sides of truffled rosemary mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables! Overwhelmed with a dinner fit for kings, there was nothing that could hold these guests from a beautiful wedding cake prepared by flower power, decorated in gorgeous fresh yellow daisies, lilies, and hydrangeas! . It was displayed under spotlights which laminated its beauty from the moment one walked through the door

This extravaganza was not done alone however, Rick and Bernadette from Narrative Images, Tareq Zataari Photography, and Dj Tim Altbaum all worked together to make this special day one filled with luminous and vibrant memories not only for the wedding couple but for every attending guest to remember for lifetimes to come!

Event design is fun and makes your wedding photos look classy.

Classy should bring a smile to your  face every time you see it in action.   The old trends when given a modern flare make strange, positive statements, click ahead and make your statement known for your event…

Event Design wedding decoration for San Diego wedding.

A great way to add to your event is to rent some unique furniture that goes with the a theme that you have chosen.

Lounge furniture with clean lines offers a contemporary feel, and now many companies are incorporating color into the buttons, piping, legs, so you can personalize it! A large white square ottoman with throw pillows and blankets are a great way to create a “cozy” feel.

Tufted couches are fantastic for many designs as well! For a vintage feel, try a velvet tufted couch or chaise in a rich color. For a shabby-chic feel, a fabulous overstuffed white or cream couch, even scour your friends and families houses and “borrow” it for the day (sometimes the cleaning bill is more econimical than renting PLUS it can be a better fit!). My favorite at the moment is using colorful adirondack chairs in the perimeter of your space, maybe outside in the garden or lawn. It makes an amazing and bold statement.

Use your imagination, you can never make your wedding too personal.

Event design is fun and makes your wedding photos look classy.

Even the simplest of details can make ordinary become extraordinary. Make your event have a little extra flare in it, click ahead and give us a taste of what flare you would add to your event…

The perfect venue and catering spot for the after wedding party.

Top 5 questions for the Cuvier Club… and Abbey preferred venue.

1: How many guests can fit in the ballroom?

A:  As many as 240 guests can be comfortable seated in the main ballroom, including a dance floor, but with the use of the two adjacent connected room, the guest count can be 300.  Cuvier can accommodate up to 500 for a standing room cocktail party.

2: Can I get married there?

A: Yes, Cuvier recently poured a brand new concrete fan pattern slab for an enclosed ceremony or cocktail site.

3: Can I bring my own alcohol?

A: Certainly, you’ll need to get bartenders through your selected catering company and see what they can each offer.

4: What can The Abbey Catering provide for the Cuvier Club?

A: All Abbey confirmed clients will be given 150 mahogany chivari chairs to be used indoors for the reception.  Also, the use of the Cuvier Club kitchen complimentary.  Other caterers need to pay additionally for this.

5: Are tables and chairs included at Cuvier Club?

A: 60″ round tables are included as well as standard metal/plastic chairs.  Additional rentals need to be arranged individually.

The Cuvier Club has lots of history on and around the property, so why not become apart of its history and use this venue as your next place to party, click ahead and make your event one to remember for your history books…

1. I love your Venue but how do I determine if it will accommodate my guest count?

-The Britt Scripps Inn can comfortably accommodate 100 guests seated and 120 for a cocktail standing reception in their side garden.

2. What ammenities are offered with your Venue?

-At the Britt Scripps Inn, exceeding your expectations is our mission-all-day venue rentals come complimentery of 9 rooms for your guests who would like to stay the night. This also includes a complimentery breakfast for those attendees including our world famous home made scones.

3. What if I’m looking to hold just me ceremony or perhaps a lunch and don’t require use of your rooms?

-For a discounted rate, the Britt Scripps Inn offers a two hour ceremony-only or lunch between the hours of 12-4pm.

4. Are you pet-friendly?

-Yes we are! At the Britt Scripps Inn we welcome our four legged friends to participate in ceremonies and receptions. We ask guests to tend their needs and regrettably we don’t allow overnightt stays for our littlest family members.

5. What do you offer regarding parking for my guests?

-For any of your guests that will be staying the evening, we offer adequate parking spaces . Aside from that there is ample street parking and garages that offer all-day parking within a few blocks.

6. What if my guests want to stay the night before or after?

-They simply need to contact the concierge to book the room or you can certainly book it on their behalf. Another consideration is that you may want to extend the Venue Rental so that your guests are guaranteed the opportunity to enjoy the grounds and maybe even plan a night before coacktail reception or a day after brunch.

7. Do you have any Packages?

-Yes, the Britt Scripps Inn offers Catering Packages as well as All-Inclusive Wedding Packages that can handle every aspect of your day. From your flowers to cake, dj, videography, limo service, and coordination. We can also handle all of your rental needs.

8. The Britt Scripps Inn is over 100 years old, does it have handicap access?

-Yes, of course. The ceremony and reception site both are on level ground. Should any guest require the need to enter the house, there is an elevator located on the front of the property that opens onto the main patio.

9. Will my guests have access to the house during my reception?

-Yes but this does need to be contained to mainly your overnight guests and those who require the restrooms. We certainly encourage your guests to come in and view the beautiful salon and dining room however these rooms only accommodate up to 25 guests at a time so the mass of your event will take place outside.

10. It’s San Diego, but, what if it rains?

-It’s always important to consider the possibility and be prepared with a contingency plan. For smaller events less then 25 some consideration may be offered. For larger events, tents are certainly available for rental that will completely cover your reception.

Britt Scripps Inn wedding catering venue and party planning spot.

This venue is perfect for the perfect party of just the right size but not too big now, click ahead and tell us how your intimate but not too intimate party is laid out in your mind…

Elegant Table Setting

Fit for their wedding day

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…

Feeling Eco-Conscience?

Birch Wood

For all of you Eco-conscience, earth friendly bride and grooms, or any one that cares about the planet and of leaving little or no carbon footprint, The Abbey Team wants to let you know that  many of our Clients trends are moving towards a Greener , Lower Carbon Emission Event. The Abbey is Eco-Minded and offers these clients alternatives to customize their day and set their minds at ease. Two ways this is being facilitated are by recycling to reduce trash to landfills and using Eco-Friendly products on Event Site.  Recycling makes sense  regardless on your stance for climate change. From kitchen product to the bar, recyclables are separated and disposed of properly. It’s a small thing but it does make a difference. Eco-Friendly Products have been a trend for years and the Abbey has partnered with several companies so that we can offer these items to our clients.  One popular new product is flatware made entirely of birch wood. They are sourced from sustainable forests and trees are replanted to account for loss. Prepared in a completely Carbon Neutral facility without any harsh products and sanitized by steam. Impress your friends with your care for the future by taking advantage of this and many other new  options for your next Event. For an additional charge, your birch flatware can even be personalized with your logo. Go Green-Go Abbey!

The Abbey would love to help you plan your big day, while looking out for the environment and making your wedding dreams come true.

Sushi plates ready to be snapped up

Possibly one of the most frustrating options to choose for the reception will be the catering. With hundreds of hungry mouths to feed and the almost guaranteed possibility that some of our guests will have food allergies and certain dietary requirements, it is very important for a bride and groom to pick carefully in order to continue wowing the guests. The tradition of wedding dining is to have a sat-down set meal, but in this blog we will be discussing how the trends of wedding eating are changing in 2011.

The best wedding receptions are those that don’t get stale and ruin the mood of the guests . While many couples still opt for the tradition of table plans and set menus and have a very successful reception, more and more bride and grooms to be are looking at ways to spice it up with different food options, ways of serving, and the whole dining décor.

One trend that started becoming a popular choice in 2010 is the ‘flow’ reception. Guests have the chance to dine when they choose during a set period, getting their food from various stations around the room. This creates the opportunity to have many different food options without having to spend hours combing the RSVPs for special requirements, and the timings of the food stations opening and closing can be coincided with traditional aspects such as the speeches and cutting of the cake.

The types of food served at these stations can also be mixed up. Sushi was a very popular request for many having food stations, as were sliders, South of the border and also the versatile salad station. The Abbey worked with many different couples and corporate events that saw these foods prove their success with many return trips for seconds and even thirds! The stations can be dressed up to fit with the theme of the room, and provide more of a relaxed atmosphere for the guests to be in.

A good caterer is one who will be versatile to your needs. The Abbey can create custom menus for your guests to make sure your reception goes with a bang.

Picture it, a grassy field, a setting anyone could enjoy that brings you back to the good old days. Custom blankets in your bridesmaids colors lay out before you adorned by Floral Displays on small custom tables at every site. Servers tending to you as though it were a formal sit-down dinner, but the kids can come, run around , and so can the adults. Seated on your blanket, you will enjoy the luxury of the Seated Dinner Service, but have the laid back mentality of your childhood. Set up a lemonade bar to complete the vision, offer seating for Mom & Dad, Grandparents too but the mass of your guests will be completely emerged in a throw-back that will excite and delight children of all ages.

Every Guest satiated, we move to the big dance. Stand and walk to a clearing set with the dance floor and resplendent with twinkling lights that dress the day like fireflies. You wanted something completely unique, you wanted something to allow all of your guests to let their hair down but still enjoy the finer things. Do yourself a favor and paint this picture for your day- you will not be disappointed!

The Abbey would love to help you have the perfect picnic wedding, bringing you back to a memorable time when things were simple and carefree but with a classically luxurious feel.