My oldest friend, Lindley Bertin, started a jewelry line, Korcula in 2008 and hasn’t looked back since. Her jewels are classic and unique pieces you can wear with any outfit, no matter the occasion or season.  Everyone loves her designs and quality so much we were caught all wearing our glamorous garb at a recent opening!

Ok, here is the latest and greatest. Lindley mailed Kim Kardashian her signature Korcula necklace in mid-2008 and within a month Kim was seen just about everywhere sporting her new jewels. Check out Lindley’s blog to see photos. Then all of sudden in 2009, Kim launches her new perfume to the world with a logo and color scheme that is just way too similar. To make a long story short, Kim Kardashian, lifted Lindley’s logo for her own…now thats just rude! Check out Lindley in Star magazine below and on Perez’s blog to get more juice.

There are two types of restaurants.  There are the restaurants that are completely worth waiting over an hour for the table, and there are the restaurants that are not.  Of the ones that are worth the wait, there is a sub-category of restaurants that are so noteworthy and so incredible that they are worth buying a plane ticket and hopping a Friday afternoon flight just to have dinner.

A year or so ago, Rebecca was on the hunt for a gift for Karen.  What oh what do you buy for the owner of an upscale, luxury catering company who has traveled the world and tried just about every wine, flavor and food that exists?  I’m not sure what went through Rebecca’s mind as she selected the Alinea book, but it was probably one of the most inspiring gifts that she could have purchased.

“Tastes that disorient.”  This was the phrase that stuck with me as I perched in my seat and clutched the awkwardly wide book in my lap.  I was on the way to the O’Hare airport.  After hearing about Karen’s trip to Alinea that followed Rebecca’s gift, I became curious and googled the restaurant.  One plane ticket and a cab ride later, I found what all of the hype was about.  Maybe it was the dark and oddly lit hallway that you walk through when you arrive, with a wall at the end that seems to literally jump out at you at the very last foot.  (This was the restaurant’s clever way of showing you right from the beginning that things are not always what they seem.)  Maybe it was that I couldn’t stop thinking about the article I read about the executive chef, Grant Achetz, writing the first 24 course menu when he was in the middle of chemo for mouth cancer and literally could not taste salt on his own tongue.  Or maybe it was the intimidation of having 4 waiters who looked more like CIA agents serve me each course.  Either way, the experience was so indescribable that I urge you to pick up your own copy now and consider cashing in your credit card points for a quick trip to the most inspiring restaurant I have ever been to.

www.alinea-restaurant.com

The second half of the “pre-wedding” wedding reception went just as well, if not better, than the first half.  (Scroll down if you missed the last post!) Guests continued to hop in and out of Queso, munch at the candy bar and sip on cocktails until it was dinner time.  Once the sun went down, we directed the waiters to remove the linens, redrape each table with a fresh tablecloth and set the evening centerpieces.  Within 10 minutes, the room was completely different!

The guests had requested a traditional Mexican buffet for dinner, and we were happy to oblige.

Traditional chicken flautas…

Poblano shrimp…

The dinner buffet was definitely bountiful.  However, compared to the dessert offerings, it barely compared!

Blueberry gelato passed in mini pizelle cones…

Tres leches…

Our very favorite chocolate chip toffee cookies.

Raspberry cinnamon pecan curls

Lavender Tuille

And our favorite… frozen chocolate bananas coated in coconut and caramel!

After this “pre-wedding” wedding reception, I cannot even imagine how amazing the true wedding reception will be!

Another gracious thank you to Belle of the Ball Events, Events in Bloom and Amy Vogel Photography.

Last month we booked a “pre-wedding” wedding reception.  The bride and groom were getting married abroad and wanted to have a wedding reception in the States prior to their big day.   This is pretty standard when a couple decides on a destination wedding.  What is not standard is planning a “pre-wedding” reception that begins at 2pm, ends at 2am and takes place in one room.  (You guessed it.  The famous garage.)

Here’s the kicker… we had 2 weeks to plan everything, and we would not have the chance to meet or communicate with the bride or groom.  At all.

What can we say?  We love a challenge.  We hunkered down at the office, got in touch with a friend of the family and got all of the information that we could:  the bride loves purple and she is in her mid-twenties.

So… we ran with it.  I’d say we ran pretty far!

The tables were covered with lilac satin linens and set with custom place settings including beaded chargers, ghost chairs and bright floral centerpieces.

Individual place settings included a menu card and a decadent Viola truffle atop a white porcelain pedestel.

We treated the early birds to some chips and salsa while they awaited for the majority of the guests to arrive.

The champagne began flowing shortly after 4:00pm, and did not stop until the wee hours!

We served our favorite beer battered green beans…

…and the best lamb chops you’ve ever tasted.

Cranberry pecan bread and honey butter was served to each guest prior to lunch.

First Course: Asian Scallop Salad

The dual entree included braised beef short ribs dusted in gremolata and a chicken breast stuffed with a spinach tamale.

Dessert was a decadent chocolate torte topped with fresh raspberries and a merlot reduction.

A few hours after lunch, guests began snacking at the candy bar.

After lunch was over, guests noticed a photobooth in the corner.  They hopped in front of Queso and began taking photos that they were able to immediately frame and decorate.

We tested the photobooth for quality and accuracy.

Many of the guests took dozens of photos, so we provided a photo sleeve for extra snapshots.

Last but not least, we hired a caricature artist!

In between all of the excitement, guests lounged on gorgeous white furniture accented with lavender cushions.  Overall, the first half of the day was a huge success.  Stay tuned for the second half…

Many thanks to Belle of the Ball, Events in Bloom and Amy Vogel Photography.

Seven days after the Christmas party, there we were again.

In the garage.  Building a tent.  Watching flooring go down.  Gazing down the long, curved driveway past 7 box trucks driven by men waiting patiently (well, maybe not so patiently…but waiting nonetheless) to unload flowers, furniture, lighting, draping and crate upon crate of wine glasses.  We sipped on Starbucks and I silently told myself that I may as well not even show up to work tomorrow, because it’s going to be just that unbelievable.

Of course Bambi thought that this was all great fun.  He may have been the only one at that point in time.

As promised, by the time I pulled back into the driveway at 4pm on the afternoon of New Year’s Eve, the garage was complete.  Just one week before it had been a whimsical, daydreamish wonderland of ice blues and bright whites.  Now, expanded with a custom tent and washed in deep fuschias, sexy reds and dark mahogany tables, it was completely different.

What had once been a driveway was now a lounge tent.

The ice bar with the custom MMX logo was the focal point upon entering the tent.

The space seated 120 guests with plenty of room for a dance floor and late night buffet station.  Yes, late night buffet!  The guests ate dinner at 10pm and again at 2 in the morning!

This particular aspect of the ice bar was more of a hit after the clock struck midnight!

12 grapes – one for each bell strike at midnight!

Our waiters were given a crash course in Russian style service.  Guests dined on beef, lamb, chicken, and halibut. 

One final indulgence – A Fare Extraordinaire signature Gold Tipped Chocolate and Apricot Macaroons

Needless to say, this New Year’s Eve event was spectacular.  The guests were still sipping champagne when the sun came up.  As I trudged back to my car at the end of the party, I knew that I had been right the day before.  This home, this garage, and this amazing party were truly unbelievable.  At least we have pictures to prove it!

Special thanks to Belle of the Ball Events, David Bates Photography and Events in Bloom.

Now that we have inspired you to pull your cars out of your garage, install some custom draping and put down marble floors, we’ll show you just how gorgeous a garage can be!  If you aren’t sure what I am talking about, click here for a before and after shot of the garage.

This event took place on Christmas Eve.  Friends and family began pulling into the front gate at approximately 8pm and were surprised to find that they weren’t eating in the formal dining room!  The garage had been completely emptied of cars, motorcycles and furniture.  Round tables with white sequin linens and sleek ghost chairs were arranged on one side of the space.  The opposite side of the garage was transformed into a lounge, complete with an ice bar and a dance floor.  Once we dimmed the lights and turned on the custom lighting, you would never know that over a dozen cars were parked there before!

The evening began with passed hors d’oeurves such as warm quail tandoori on a red designer pick and grilled shrimp served in shot glasses with sangrita.  When dinner was served the guests enjoyed our signature winter salad with pomegranate seeds and an entree of beef tenderloin and sea bass.  For dessert the client had requested chocolate cake served with a martini glass full of ripe strawberries and fresh whipped cream.  We were happy to accommodate!  Once dinner was complete, guests hit the dance floor and remained there until 3am!  Merry Christmas!

Guests entered into a lounge and gasped with shock at the garage transformed into a ballroom!

From the lighting to the flowers to the food, the event was spectacular.

A Fare Extraordinaire provided a gorgeous custom ice bar with a snowflake design.  Look closely and you will also see the small ice shelves that were carved specifically for shot glasses.

Each seating table was breathtaking.  White sequin linens, beaded chargers and fine silver flatware made each table sparkle.

Every seat included a custom menu card and a holiday stocking filled with treats. 

Have you ever seen flowers so beautiful?

 This event was beautiful and the guests had a wonderful time.  Stay tuned to see the same garage decked out in dark purples and reds for New Years Eve!

Special thanks to David Bates Photography, Belle of the Ball Events and Events in Bloom.

Ever been to a party in a garage?  My guess is yes.  Maybe it was college.  Or possibly high school.  Maybe, just maybe, you have attended a party in a garage after the age of 23.  (It’s okay, you can admit it to us.  We don’t judge.)  Despite your answer, the most fantastic parties I have seen as of late have taken place in a garage.

There’s a good chance you won’t believe me if I simply upload pictures of these next three events without proof of the space.  So, here you go.

Before….

And after…

Curious?  I bet you are!

I hope everyone had a great weekend full of celebrating and football.  I thought I would post a fun and lively party this morning to give everyone a jolt of energy.  It’s not all cocktail parties and wedding receptions over here at A Fare Extraordinaire.  In fact, my favorite parties are the ones in which guests can show up in jeans and fit right in.  This event in particular was a Sunday afternoon charreada.  (Side note: I’m from North Louisiana, so I had to learn what a charreada was when I booked this party.  The short answer is that a charreada is a Mexican rodeo.)  Guests began to pour in around 1pm, and thankfully the weather was gorgeous!  Upon arrival they were greeted by waiters wearing stick-on mustaches and offered a margarita.  After hitting the buffet and taking a few Don Julio shots, they meandered around the property while sipping on Mexican juices and munching on palletas.  A few trips to the petting zoo later, a mariachi (flown in from Mexico) put on a live concert loud enough to deafen anyone within 50 yards!  From that point on it was a free for all.  Tequila shot, menudo, mariachi, REPEAT!  This went on until about 3am.  Talk about a fun Sunday!

This was the entrance to the party.  The bright colors really set the tone of the day!

The brightly decorated bar was right next to the rodeo arena.  We stocked it with eight beer varieties, premium liquor (including three kinds of tequila) and freshly made margaritas.

These bistro tables provided the best seats of the day!  From here guests could view the charreada, dancers and entrance and access the taco stand, buffet and bar easily.

Despite the relentless Houston heat, these dancers twirled and smiled for hours. 

People munched on colorful chips and a variety of salsas all day.

My favorite hors d’eouvres were the mini chicken and beef sopes.  There was really never a lull during the day for a chefs were able to take a break.  The eating continued from 1pm until after midnight!

A Fare Extraordinaire had never served menudo at an event until this party!  I love trying new foods and it was my first opportunity to try this traditional Mexican staple.  It was warm, savory and full of flavor.  No wonder it is often eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Mexico!

I firmly believe that paletas make everything better.  Mexican theme or not, these self serve paleta carts are the perfect party treat for a party on for a hot, sunny day.

In between tequila shots and ice cold bottles of Modelo, guests sipped on sweet Mexican juices.  We went through several dozen gallons of horchata, tamarindo, jamaica and limon juices.

I was so impressed by this brother and sister duo!  I couldn’t decide what I envied more - her gorgeous skirt or her horseback riding skills.

This charro got the crowd excited.  Seeing the different participants decked out in traditional charreada attire was a very fun experience!  Overall it was a great event, even for the caterer!

Special thanks to Belle of the Ball Events and Events in Bloom for helping AFE to make event this a huge success!