Return-Path: Date: Wed, 20 Feb 91 02:50:53 EST From: Dean.Rubine@K.GP.CS.CMU.EDU To: Harry.Bovik@K.GP.CS.CMU.EDU Subject: caterers As it stands now, it looks like we're going with Gary Terner for our wedding. I'll try to remember to mail my impressions after it's all over. Here's what I posted: 04-Feb-91 01:51 Dean.Rubine@K.GP.CS.CMU.EDU Caterers, anyone? Harry's advice on caterers in the area is a little incomplete. Does anyone have any recommendations or disrecommendations for caterers? I'm looking for one to handle a wedding with 100-150 people. As usual, replies will be forwarded to Bovik. Three names have come up some far in the search: Gary Terner, Charles Catering, Fluted Mushroom. Any opinions about any of these? Here are the replies: From: Hank Walker Phaturos A-1 Catering in Oakmont did our wedding and we were very satisfied. The price was quite reasonable too. From: Mary.Jo.Dowling@IUS2.CS.CMU.EDU Last year I went to a big cocktail party at a printing company with well over 1000 people there. It was catered by a group call "Simply Delicous" in Fox Chapel. The food was really good and filling, especially for finger food. They served all sorts of things, not just your standard fair. There was also an abundant supply which they kept well stocked. The help also seemed friendly and knew what they were serving also. I don't know about their pricing though. A word of advice. Always ask to taste exactly what you are going to order first. Things they describe on paper might sound delicous, but in reality might be what you were expecting. This is true for all caterers. mj From: Cam Miller Fluted Mushroom will do a good job, but they are very expensive. Personally, I think that Charles Catering sucks -- although I know that people around here seem to use them. I used The Blue Goose for our department holiday party this year and they did a nice job. They're rather expensive also, but you get a good amount of food. The woman who owns the place, Lisa, I believe is of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern heritage and tends to do a lot of pastrie types of foods -- BUT, they are very good and they are filling, which helps to keep the cost down. You can steer her away from too much of that if you want to -- I just let her go ahead because I had a lot of hungry people to feed on a budget. If you give her a cost per person she will come up with a suggested menu and you can then work with her on it. From: Erik.Altmann@NATASHA.MACH.CS.CMU.EDU If you run out of leads, Kathy (Swedlow) arranged catering for a couple of Soar workshops, and went to some length to find out what was available. From: Kenneth.Mohnkern@H.GP.CS.CMU.EDU The Fluted Mushroom has great food, but is a little expensive, I think. I had my wedding reception at The College Club. They did a great job, but will cater only events held there. They put together a good package deal for us, including rooms for guests, food, drink, and a dance floor. If you're not set on a location for your event yet, you may want to check them out. From: Kathryn.Porsche@CADMUS.RESDOC.CS.CMU.EDU Dean-- The Fluted Mushroom provides lunches for the SEI-- having worked there for most of a year, I can say that their food quality is exccellent, the prices reasonable (a bit more pricey than average, but you get *mush* more than a bit above average food quality), their food selections definately not hum-drum, and reasonable people perparing/"serving" it. You might want to go sample them (they're on the first floor and to your left) yourself. --Kathie p.s.: The SEI lunchroom is not a public restaurant; however, you probably qualify by being affiliated with CMU. From: David Anderson Susan Bakes and Cooks does nice work.