Casa Del Mar Deux
I met with the director of catering at Casa Del Mar today. Everything's looking swell. I gave her some questions to look over, she answered some of my questions. There shouldn't be too much intense haggling left, we're just hoping to up the food a little before we put down our deposit.
Meanwhile, I'm really starting to like Casa Del Mar. First and foremost, the food is fantastic. I had a lobster sandwich today. The bread was toasty, buttery, and eggy--a very respectable sandwich brioche. There were huge chunks of ripe avocado, decent tomatoes for this time of year, and a generous amount of sweet fresh lobster tail. There weren't weird lobster bits like they were leftover from making something else, and the quality was fantastic. I also appreciated the use of butter lettuce instead of slightly more bitter Romaine or super boring iceberg.
Second, you can't beat that view. For once I regretted not having a camera with a panoramic option. 
Third, the place is adorable and the service is top notch. I sat around the lounge reading a book for half an hour. A few servers stopped by to ask me if I wanted a drink, other people sat around using the WiFi and reading newspapers mounted on those wooden racks (anyone much younger than I am probably doesn't even remember those). It's a very nice, quiet, civilized place to spend a sunny afternoon.
Meanwhile, I'm really starting to like Casa Del Mar. First and foremost, the food is fantastic. I had a lobster sandwich today. The bread was toasty, buttery, and eggy--a very respectable sandwich brioche. There were huge chunks of ripe avocado, decent tomatoes for this time of year, and a generous amount of sweet fresh lobster tail. There weren't weird lobster bits like they were leftover from making something else, and the quality was fantastic. I also appreciated the use of butter lettuce instead of slightly more bitter Romaine or super boring iceberg.Second, you can't beat that view. For once I regretted not having a camera with a panoramic option.Third, the place is adorable and the service is top notch. I sat around the lounge reading a book for half an hour. A few servers stopped by to ask me if I wanted a drink, other people sat around using the WiFi and reading newspapers mounted on those wooden racks (anyone much younger than I am probably doesn't even remember those). It's a very nice, quiet, civilized place to spend a sunny afternoon.posted by Pei at
2:30 PM
4 Comments:
hey quick question. When you are going around sampling all these great places how does it work? You call up and say you are scouting for a wedding and they roll out the special menu and you just try stuff? or do you order off their regular menu? and how much does all this cost when you are just looking?
By
John, At
4/25/2007 05:23:00 PM
Glad to hear you are getting comfy with the place... that is really key. Once you get to really know it and feel comfy, then you start tearing it apart with how you want the layout, flowers, lighting, colors, etc... :D
--Dommy!
By
Dommy!, At
4/25/2007 05:39:00 PM
John, you wish it were that easy! :) Everyone, including me, thinks brides get some kind of free food at some point. At least an appetizer to sample, or some kind of entree you can try for $20? Heck no. Vendors are smarter than that.
Option 1: you find a place that has an established restaurant (hotels, usually). You pay for your dinner. If you like it and book the place, they will offer you an extensive tasting (several choices of everything) free. But only after you have put down a deposit, usually nonrefundable. A little backwards, right? Some places will let you have a tasting before for $100/couple, with the knowledge that if you decide you don't like the food you lose $100 but if you like it, the $100 goes toward your final bill.
Option #2: the place has no restaurant. You are kind of screwed unless you have a lot of trusted friends who have used the place and liked it. They will not budge an inch usually. I tried all different tactics to try to at least see their food, try a single piece of food, talk to the chef, or even see a photo of their food, to no avail. Basically you are not allowed anywhere near food until they have their money. Sooo shady.
What it all comes down to is this: most brides don't give a bleep about the food. They know they're not going to eat much, they know people are going to be content with whatever free food is offered, and they know that food is the single item most likely to drive up wedding cost. Every upgrade has to be multiplied by your number of guests. So a $5 increase in entrees and a $1 better dessert for 100 people is $600. Most brides would rather have a $600 better dress or $600 more in photography.
By
Pei, At
4/25/2007 06:31:00 PM
Dommy!, you are too hilarious.
By
Pei, At
4/25/2007 06:36:00 PM
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