January is Showcase Month

Pistachio and Raspberry linens make a fun, yet sophisticated pairing.

Forced tree blossoms combined in a tall vase with pale yellow tulips make a bold spring-like statement.

Simply Nic's artisan shortbread is a really unique and tasty idea for wedding favors, and as an added bonus they are made locally.

Our new favorite linen, cascade, is anything but boring; it's texturized and in this photo the color is penny. We paired it with gold satin napkins and mahogany chevari chairs.

By the way, you can find all of the items shown here at Brillman's Rental Barn of Newtown.

Honeydew with a sheer organza overlay is garden perfect. A popular wedding idea we've encountered with spring brides this year is a formal "tea" style reception.

You may have noticed the exquisite floral arrangements we used as center pieces on our showcase tables, and we have to give a big thanks to Dahlia's Floral Concepts of Pennington for providing these and so much more.

Many thanks again to all who particpated, including: Jen's Pastries, Heather Hibbert Photography, Kevin Birch Photography, Simply Nic's, Shop Rite Liquors, Drew Brady, Mirage Video, Dahlia's Floral Concepts, and Brillman's Rental Barn.

Cozy up with Tea

Blustery, winter days when darkness falls early are the perfect days for getting together with a friend for afternoon tea. Back by popular demand, our afternoon tea will be offered twice a month on a select Wednesday and Thursday. Check out our website to find the days we'll be taking reservations for tea and to get a peek at the menu and pricing.

Also, our tea menu is a very popular catering menu for brunches, showers, and corporate meetings. Talk to one of our catering specialists if you're interested in a larger scale tea.

One more note, speaking of friends and cozying up: We'll all miss Corey and Bill and wish them the very best on this new leg of their lives.

Demystifying Duxelle

These little beauties are a real treat to serve your guests, but certainly cause a few eyebrows to raise when being offered. "Wild Mushroom Duxelle" you'll proffer and surely you can expect a mixed array of reactions on the first round of passing. Part of the eyebrow raising is simply caused by how similar duxelle sounds to duck, but do not be fooled -- there is no duck in duxelle.

Our chefs use a combination of finely chopped oyster, shitake, button, and portobello mushrooms to make their version, which they add herbs and shallots to and slowly simmer in butter until all of the liquid has cooked off. You can add duxelle to a variety of dishes including soups, as a topping on a mashed potato bar, or as an enhancement to any number of sauces.

We like to serve our duxelle appetizer in a phyllo cup. Heat until warm then top with a dab of creme fraiche and chopped chives.

Enjoy!

Holiday Treat

The next time you're in for lunch, take a peek under our tree and see what we're offering to our most appreciated patrons--you!

Fun Holiday Cocktails

Sapphire Rose
Bombay Sapphire Gin, Chilled Cranberry Juice, Topped with Rose Champagne garnished with skewered berries

White Poinsettia
White Cranberry Juice, Champagne, Cointreau

Snowball
Bombay Sapphire Gin, Anise Liqueur, Cream

Elderflower Martini
Elderflower Cordial, Bombay Sapphire, Dry Vermouth, Fresh Lime Juice

Espresso Martini
Italian Espresso, Grey Goose Vodka, Chocolate Garnish

Holiday Comfort Food with Flare

Brie With Pecans

(1) Cup Sugar

(1) Cup Water

(2) T corn syrup

(3) Cups Pecans

(3) oz. butter

(4) oz. heavy cream

*Combine sugar and water in saucepan with corn syrup. Simmer until it is a rich golden brown.

*Add pecans, butter and heavy cream, stir to combine

*pour over top of brie on a pedastool

*you'll need a good wooden spoon or a high heat spatula :)

This is a wonderful holiday appetizer. When we serve more than (1) brie at an event we like to vary their sizes for display effect.

Dell Halloran, one of our hardest working and most prized staff members had cause to celebrate over the weekend. She and her husband, John, are finally becoming grandparents.

Congratulations to both of you and to your daughter, Colleen and husband, Jamie.