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| - After an extensive research to find a restaurant with a private dining room to have my daughter's 100 day celebration, I finally gave up and decided to cater at home. My first choice was Presidential Gourmet who catered our wedding but unfortunately, their kitchen was at full capacity for the day of our celebration. So I was given Elena Carson of All The Best Fine Foods' 411 for our little get together and after reading their menus online, I decided to give them a try.
I ordered a stationary hors d'ouevres buffet for 12 adults and 4 children with full rentals and a server for our event. Since the rentals were handled by ATBFF, I will simply say that details could have been better arranged as I was caught off guard for deliveries of tables, chairs, cutlery...etc as well as food. The server arrived late and although he was ok, he had trouble heating up the food to the right temperature and some of the items were served on the cold side. I've had better experience with staff provided by other catering companies I've used previously.
Now on to the food. To make this review a little easier to write, I'll comment on the food by rating it out of 5 after each menu item.
The menu consisted of:
1. Spinach mushroom tartlettes- 3: they were good but nothing to write home about.
2. Crab cakes with Tarragon aoli- 3: they were served a little too cold for my liking which accentuated the reheated nature of the dish. Flavours were a little impure (too much bay seasoning perhaps?) and it was difficult to detect the crab meat. Tarragon aioli, on the other hand, was very good.
3. Spicy Coconut Shrimp with tropical salsa - 4: I don't normally order coconut shrimp but these were a crowd pleaser for sure. Again, this could have been reheated better but the flavours of the coconut with the spicy mango salsa was well married.
4. Mini grilled cheese with apple compote - 4: the grilled cheese (aged white cheddar?) on multigrain bread triangles worked very well with sweet and savoury apple compote.
5. Watercress and pear salad with honey lime vinaigrette - 5: the grilled pears were very nicely caramelized with a little bit of char. Served on a bed of organic greens (not watercress as promised) with pumpkin seeds for a nice crunch in a sweet honey lime vinaigrette was my favorite item.
6. Malaysian beef skewers - 5: these were impossibly tender and well-seasoned. I would definitely order them again.
7. Chicken skewers - 4: I can't remember what they were called exactly but the yellow curry type marinaded chicken breasts were a little dry when reheated.
8. All the Best Sweet Tray- Cookies and Squares - 5: assortment of shortbreads, pecan crisps, pecan and lemon squares, brownie...etc came trayed
9. Coffee and tea service: Kicking Horse coffee was good as always but I did not try the tea so I can't comment on the tea.
Over all, the food was much better than I had expected considering the inherent limitations of serving reheated food. Since the server who was described as "top notch" was so disappointing, I will have to take away some points for that as well as for the lack of communication regarding the delivery of rentals and food.
I would consider using them again but only as a second choice to Presidential Gourmet.
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