Archive for the ‘Weather’ Category

Spring/Summer Digest – Before Fall Gluttony

Monday, August 29th, 2011

As Hurricane Irene blows through these last days of August, we here at Tip of the Tongue have taken advantage of a quiet weekend to reflect on what’s happened over the whirlwind of 2011 and what’s coming up in the traditional dash to the Holidays.

There were a record number of weddings and gala events packed into the Spring like tulip bulbs in a window box. We made the rounds at our favorite venues like the Foundry, Studio 450 and Ramscale with return visits to Midtown Loft and Gary’s Loft, plus made our North Shore debut at both the Chelsea Mansion and the Vaderbilt Mansion. While both weddings were “flavored” with a bit of spring rain, they both affirmed how much we love getting out of the city and how many truly unique and magical gems Long Island has to offer. And speaking of gems, we also had the pleasure of working at the Queens Botanical Garden where we used their own garden carts to feature an array of specialty drinks like Strawberry Watermelon Agua Fresca, and Cucumber Ginger Coolers spiked with gin.

Recent months saw the marriage of two of our nearest and dearest employees, Allison Cooper and Keshon Morrow. Allison has been one of our Wedding Coordinators and Event Managers for years while Kehson has been a mentor of mixology and a great man to have behind a bar. If you happen to be at one of our events with them be sure to join us in wishing them the best for their years ahead.

Their wedding at Gary’s Loft was part of what we called “May Mania”, but it also introduced a new service style we’ve since used a number of times since; at Ramscale-North Studio, Galapagos and coming up at Glass Houses. It’s a little treat we can Tapas-Mobile. We might play with that name a bit more but the concept is solid. Unlike our customary Tapas style, the Mobile version has no station. Instead large platters of assorted menu items are brought to where guests naturally congregate. With no fixed tables or assigned seating, guests are free to settle in wherever they naturally wish and within a few moments service staff bring the food to them to sample, share and enjoy without having to get up to go in search of where the food is. We’ve seen the concept work very well in those particular spaces where traditional dining areas and stations just don’t fit as well. If you’re trying to break the mold, maybe this is an idea that could work for you.

Finally, the Tip of the Tongue finally has expanded a little bit. We’re very proud to welcome our son, Jacob Max Charles Fagan, born April 10th. He’s a most wonderful addition. And we’re also very proud to say that after 15 years together, Tip of the Tongue Owner Scott Fagan and Pastry Chef Eric McIntyre were able to celebrate their own wedding on August 4. Our thanks go out to all who have worked hard to support Marriage Equality here in New York and around the country. It always amused us just how many gays and lesbians work to make dream weddings come true, yet are denied the right to marry themselves. Our application for a wedding license was captured on film actually in a story done by NY1 News.

So, as the summer gasps its last and the seriousness of September descends upon us, we hope you’ll join us in a congratulatory toast to the many achievements of the seasons just passed and then enjoy a fortifying draught as we press on into the unknown of the seasons ahead, wishing all of us the best.

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Posted in Autumn, Long Island, Signature Drinks, Weather, Weddings, event planning, tapas | No Comments »

Harvesting for September

Sunday, August 28th, 2011

Cherry Tomatoesimg_1636Sun GoldsPeachesSunflowers

One of the best things about September events is the amount of fruits, vegetables and flowers in harvest.  The Greenmarket bursts with delicious vegetables, a huge selection of fruits (hello tasty pastries), and vibrantly-colored flowers.  Although it’s always sad to say goodbye to the summer as of Labor Day weekend, our menus always seem to come a bit more alive during this time.  And the good weather doesn’t stop – often it actually gets better.  The next round of weddings is upon us…

Posted in Autumn, Greenmarket, Weather, Weddings | No Comments »

Spectacular New York City Event Spaces

Sunday, March 27th, 2011

Oliviera 2Oliviera 3Oliviera 1Oliviera 4

One of the many advantages of having your wedding in New York City is the spectacular event spaces you have to choose from – spaces that are blank slates where you can go in and customize the aesthetic just the way you like it.  The above photos come from our most recent wedding at Studio 450. With sweeping views of the city, the Hudson river and New Jersey, this space is one of the city’s best.  With its New York City-loft-space character, it’s always fun to create a new environment for each of our couples.  And during the warmer months, the outdoor space is unbeatable for ceremonies, cocktail hours and after-dinner partying.  This wedding was the final wedding of the winter season with a hearty menu that included red-wine braised short ribs with root vegetables and quinoa, seared halibut with grilled polenta and minted peas (the first sign of spring!), and chocolate passionfruit mousse cake.  Next up, tapas-style spring wedding!

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Posted in Braised Short Ribs, Chocolate Passionfruit Mousse Cake, Seared Halibut, Studio 450, Weather, Weddings, Winter | No Comments »

Just Settled Down for a Long Winter’s Nap

Monday, March 1st, 2010

Napping, or at least settling down for a long catch-up on life, is the typical order of the day for our industry’s “Quiet Season” which lasts from Christmas to St. Patrick’s Day (aka “winter”). There are some exceptions like Winter Fashion Week or the odd dinner party, but for the most part, from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox, a caterer looks to reconnect with family, friends, maybe see a movie or take a vacation and to work on those 10 lbs. gained since Thanksgiving.

 

But not this year.

 

A call came in on December 30th for a wedding to be held just over a week later on January 10th and so our “long winter’s nap” was over before it even began. Not that we’re complaining. It’s a special point of pride to know that we can pull a wedding together from scratch in 5 business days. And between snowstorms we had tasting, after tasting, booking April 24th, June 12th, September 11th and October 23rd in rapid succession. After such a extreme 2009, it was a massive relief to think 2010 could swing the opposite way. Then of course we had another wedding on January 30th, followed by February 20th and another on February 28th.

 

Sure that 10 lbs. turned into 15 and friends haven’t called in weeks, but the dead of winter 2010 has been wonderfully alive and kicking (as opposed to the dead of winter 2009, which was not just dead, it was decomposed) and like the athletes racing down the mountains of Vancouver’s Winter Olympics, it’s been a thrilling ride.

 

Thankfully 3 out of 4 of these weddings took place at The Foundry, by now our unofficial second home, and with couples that were excited to try out new menu ideas and innovative layouts. The lone exception was at Ramscale Studio – another one of our favorites, where we had the distinction of being the first to plan an event in their newly renovated space. We’ve also been advising them on further renovations that will significantly reduce the cost of kitchen rentals. 

 

What’s everyone been eating? Our signature Anise-Scented Braised Short Ribs with Root Vegetables have almost become a compulsory but with twists like Herbed Spaetzle or Lemon Quinoa giving the crowd an extra something to talk about. Seared Long Island Duck Breast has become the new poultry of choice for its deeper flavors and richer color, but even a few chicken dishes we’ve served have delighted fans by keeping the skin on (gasp!) and a wing bone in as the classic French “Supreme”. As for seafood, raw bars starring local Oyster Bay oysters and fresh Gulf shrimp, soups highlighting mussels and clams, and entrees featuring grilled halibut have diners doing more flips and spins than Shaun White in his Double McTwist 1260. 

 

Maybe it’s been the frequent heavy snowstorms (starting on the winter solstice) or the collective excitement of the Winter Olympics, but whatever the source, there’s been an energy out there this winter that’s kept us happily on our feet. Maybe we’re all waking up from the numb slumber of 2009, refreshed and ready for better days to come. I know I’m ready. Besides, there’ll be time to nap in July.

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Posted in Duck, Halibut, Menus, Ramscale, Raw Bar, Short Ribs, The Foundry, Venues, Weather, Weddings, Winter, event planning, fashion week | No Comments »

The Fading Folly of Fall

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

October is one of those months that encourages delusion yet generates disappointment. (April is another). The delusion is the belief that it’s still warm enough for outdoor wedding ceremonies while the disappointment is discovering that (really) it isn’t. It seemed the every weekend in October was one weird cold front followed by rain which emphasized how much weather can affect catering. The weather served a good lesson for those planning catered events. From lavish weddings to “simple” corporate cocktails, the weather is that perfect proof that you can’t control everything and what control you think you have over your event, your wedding, your life – is really an illusion. What you think is control is really a lucky break that nothing happened to ruin your plans.

This might sound like a “half-empty” way of looking at things but whether you call the glass “half-full” or “half-empty” the reality is that within said glass, there exists half the amount you want. Such is the lesson we learn in coming to terms with the compromises of adulthood – making do with what we get whether it’s a freezing rain that forces a complete last-minute overhaul to your wedding or a howling wind that makes half your RSVP’s skip your event, and accepting the randomness of life; rolling with the punches.

That’s really the key to a successful event. We had a wedding recently where the bride forgot some special oil lamps she wanted on some tables. She was in her processional line-up before walking down the aisle fretting. I said, “Don’t let lamps be what you remember about your wedding day. Forget it, take in everything that’s around you right now and enjoy the moment.” No one misses what they don’t expect. That’s why we encourage our clients to save money by streamlining the bar, minimizing decor and dispensing with ornate table settings. It’s the moment your guests want to share with you and remember, not the silverware.

And speaking of control and disappointments, onward we maintain to the Holidays. November is half over (or half full depending on your P.O.V) and the last-minute scramble for corporate parties has begun; later than usual but it’s there. This year’s magic date? Dec. 17; probably the most in-demand date on the calendar. More people are trying to assert control over what happens that day than any other in the frantic weeks leading up to Christmas (only 38 more shopping days!). There could be a freak snow storm. There may be a massive recall of smoked salmon. The President could come into town and snarl traffic on top of a freak snow storm. Remember to roll with the punches and enjoy the moment. And make mine a double.

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Posted in Autumn, Corporate, Weather, Weddings, event planning | No Comments »