Caterer Help

After talking with numerous caterers who I found recommended in various caterer recommendation places I've come to the conclusion that hiring a caterer to cater my wedding will be hella pricey.

I've got the idea that maybe there are local restaurants that can kind of half cater. Like prepare a lot of food, deliver it hot in trays, maybe provide sternos for a buffet and some other stuff like that. I can get staff to keep things running smooth and tend bar and hopefully save some $$ while I'm at it. Maybe use plastic plates so I don't have to rent or worry about dealing with dishes. I'm ok with things not being very formal, but not ok with them being a headache on wedding day.

This might be asking for trouble, but it could also save me a lot of money. My question is, has anyone had any experience, or does anyone know of either cheaper caterers or restaurants that provide this type of service?

Thanks!

I used Red Rose on Smith Street for my mom's wake. I purchased food for 100 people and got a Chicken Marsala, Eggplant Parmesian, Green Salad with Procuitto, garlic bread, anti-pasta, ziti, and another meat dish I cannot remember. They also included extra sauces, cheeses, salt, pepper, pickled peppers, olives, etc. I was only charged $800. They were already in the hot trays and I think they supplied the sternos (but you can get them by the case at Party City along with the the sterno holders.) I got many compliments of their food.

see, this is one of the few things i actually like about judaism (the religion i was born into): other people bring food for shiva. so you never have to worry about feeding people.

now if we could just apply that tradition to weddings i'd be set.

you could have a potluck wedding

Trainsmoke DeLeon wrote: now if we could just apply that tradition to weddings i'd be set.

How much are you looking to spend pp?

stacey wrote: I used Red Rose on Smith Street for my mom's wake. I purchased food for 100 people and got a Chicken Marsala, Eggplant Parmesian, Green Salad with Procuitto, garlic bread, anti-pasta, ziti, and another meat dish I cannot remember. They also included extra sauces, cheeses, salt, pepper, pickled peppers, olives, etc. I was only charged $800. They were already in the hot trays and I think they supplied the sternos (but you can get them by the case at Party City along with the the sterno holders.) I got many compliments of their food.

the Red Rose is a hidden treasure. I have been eating there for years. The food is very Italian.... the red sauce is delicious and that is what makes one of these old style Italian places. I don't know if it would work for your celebration but I recommend the place for sure.

veets wrote: [quote=stacey]I used Red Rose on Smith Street for my mom's wake. I purchased food for 100 people and got a Chicken Marsala, Eggplant Parmesian, Green Salad with Procuitto, garlic bread, anti-pasta, ziti, and another meat dish I cannot remember. They also included extra sauces, cheeses, salt, pepper, pickled peppers, olives, etc. I was only charged $800. They were already in the hot trays and I think they supplied the sternos (but you can get them by the case at Party City along with the the sterno holders.) I got many compliments of their food.

the Red Rose is a hidden treasure. I have been eating there for years. The food is very Italian.... the red sauce is delicious and that is what makes one of these old style Italian places. I don't know if it would work for your celebration but I recommend the place for sure.

ahh my food soul sista' - they also have a pretty impressive wine selection

you're making me very hungry.

ok that clinches it.. The next little Brooklynian gathering must be at The Red Rose. What a choice! Not Park Slope.. not trendy.. and been in business a very long time!

do they have alcohol?

brooklynpotter wrote: do they have alcohol?

see reference above to their wine selection

ah, i'm obviously not a good reader.

i say we have a warm january get-together dinner at the red rose

you might consider plates from bambu instead of paper. at about $65 per 100, it's a more elegant and not super costly alternative to paper. just a thought...

oops - just noticed you said plastic, not paper.

either way, those bambu plates do look nice and are definitely a greener choice.

Red Rose sounds delish but I don't think we'll go Italian. Been leaning towards Trinidadian actually. But that could change if we find something else that works better.

I don't have an exact $/pp amount. Maybe $60-70 including the works? If I could pull that off it would save me nearly $10,000. That would be well worth the extra organizing in advance.

Flexichick wrote: [quote=brooklynpotter]do they have alcohol?

see reference above to their wine selection

The Red Rose has a full bar.

Sp you have a venue already? When we got married using a restaurant with a banquet hall that could do everything soup to nuts was by far the least expensive. Being able to have sit down food instead of buffet saved us money too. We got married at Moran's in Chelsea

Trini food? Nio's has a big lunch truck, one of those Grumman aluminum body vehicles like what FedEx and UPS use. Painted nice. That tells me they have a way to bring food to a private affair. As for sternos, etc., you'd have to ask. Nio's, i'm sure i don't need to tell you sir, but for others who may read this, is on Church Ave corner of Rogers, and always shows up on lists of best rotis.

Trainsmoke DeLeon wrote: Been leaning towards Trinidadian actually. But that could change if we find something else that works better.

How about the Islands - I have never had their food but I heard they are pretty good.

If you are will to spend that much per person you can get a full set up at most catering halls which would include cocktails at cocktail hours, main course or buffet style. You can save money by having it on a Sunday afternoon, Friday night, etc.

That's good to know about Nio's. I'll give them a call. For the record the Islands is outstanding, and you should try it. They are Jamaican though and the many Trinis coming to the wedding may object:)

I think we're going to use the Lyceum, since that place is so groovy. Do it up real nice like. So a catering hall won't work. We're making a concerted effort to be non-traditional, which I think would be hard to pull off at a catering hall.

Have you thought about Fairway? We used them for a company party & it was actually delicious - no one had any idea it was grocery store catering. All of the prices are listed in a pdf on their website.

Trainsmoke DeLeon wrote: That's good to know about Nio's. I'll give them a call. For the record the Islands is outstanding, and you should try it. They are Jamaican though and the many Trinis coming to the wedding may object:)

I think we're going to use the Lyceum, since that place is so groovy. Do it up real nice like. So a catering hall won't work. We're making a concerted effort to be non-traditional, which I think would be hard to pull off at a catering hall.

I have heard a lot of good talk about site called indiebride. I think the website may be posted somewhere on this board.
There is a place on Washington called Kitchen for Hire which is a commercial kitchen that is rented out. If you have a chef who can make your food but not a large enough kitchen to cook it this may be an option for you. They might even be able to recommend a caterer for you.
My only advice is to spend a little $ on a videographer - or make sure you have a nicely done video of your day. My husband and I are married 15 years and we still watch our wedding day DVD often.

Whatever you do and wherever you wind up having it I'm sure it will be great. Congratulations and lots of luck in your new life together.

stacey wrote: I have heard a lot of good talk about site called indiebride. I think the website may be posted somewhere on this board.

Whatever you do and wherever you wind up having it I'm sure it will be great. Congratulations and lots of luck in your new life together.

Thanks! Indiebride does have some useful forums on it. A new option has emerged where I can order a lot of food from a restaurant on the cheap and then hire a caterer to present and serve it...We shall see...

stacey wrote: I have heard a lot of good talk about site called indiebride. I think the website may be posted somewhere on this board.

Whatever you do and wherever you wind up having it I'm sure it will be great. Congratulations and lots of luck in your new life together.

Thanks! Indiebride does have some useful forums on it. A new option has emerged where I can order a lot of food from a restaurant on the cheap and then hire a caterer to present and serve it...We shall see...

stacey wrote: ahh my food soul sista'

Hey, I thought I was your food soul sista'! :evil:

stacey wrote: ahh my food soul sista'

Hey, I thought I was your food soul sista'! :evil: