Wednesday, January 19, 2011

A Luncheon at Bluxome Street Winery

It was an honor to be asked to help with daughter Ashley's last catering job, held at Bluxome Street Winery in San Francisco. Since cooking is her forte and not tablescapes, she let me have creative license to do what I wanted to create a table setting in the huge warehouse winery.

The event was a gentlemen's luncheon for 12.
Everything had to be brought in. We rented the tables, chairs white linens, silverware and wine glasses. Her catering company, Tourshi Catering already had simple white plates.
I needed to warm up the all white look, yet keep it appropriate for men, so I just grabbed the newest burlap runner from my dining room table and my mercury glass accessories. For the centerpiece and inspiration for the table, I chose this silver wine bucket and filled it with white mums.

The thought at first was to have one long 16 foot table, but I ended up putting the tables side by side. The runner hid the seam. By doing this, twelve people can talk to one another easily, almost like a round table arrangement.

Wine barrels were moved closer, surrounding the table and creating a more intimate space.

Leather chargers make a nice contrast to the white plates and linens.

Lots of candlelight was necessary for ambiance and warmth.
Speaking of warmth, we also brought in a space heater!

Each plate got a menu.

While I was setting up the table, Ashley and assistant Amy were busy in the winery's kitchen preparing the meal.
I had planned to leave after setting the table, but was asked to stay and photograph the event for the winery.

After the gentlemen arrived, appetizers were passed and wine was poured.
"Ham and Cheese Hors d'oeuvres!" Caramelized onions, Iberico ham, Manchego cheese, on a toasted baguette.

Tuille crisps with beef tartar and wild arugula.

First course:
Wild mushroom risotto, mascarpone quinelle, white truffle drizzle, walnut and herbs.

Second course:
Braised beef short ribs on stone ground grits, garnished with horseradish, braised winter lettuces, pancetta.

Dessert:
Aaron's Mascarpone Cheesecake with poached quince.

Wine from the owner's own vineyard, a lovely Russian River Valley pinot noir.

The chef describing the menu.

Bluxome Street Winery is not open to the public yet. Scheduled to open in spring, they will be the first urban winery in San Francisco in 100 years! Located only two blocks from the SF Giants ballpark, it is an actual winery with tasting room and retail sales. It is also the perfect venue for catered events. For more information, please check out their website.

Also, be sure to check out Ashley's new website too, Tourshi Catering.

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.
On Friday, I'll join Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday, and Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday.

Pin It!

39 comments:

NanaDiana said...

Oh..What Beauty! The winery...your daughter...the table setting...the ambiance...the food. Wow and Wow! I'll bet she knocked their socks off!

Rashon Carraway said...

This is so inspiring. I would love to have a dinner laid out for me and a few of my closest friends like this. I am excited that you posted this.

Mr. Goodwill Hunting

Sarah said...

Delores, beauty everywhere ~ your daughter, the table setting, the venue, and the food. Looks like a roaring success! ~ Sarah

Mariette said...

Dearest Delores,

You can be proud of Ashley and also Aaron for his perfect desserts!
Guess you were beaming for being able to take photos after having done such elegant table setting for a men only dinner.
For sure Ashley will have lots of requests for doing fine catering in the San Francisco area.
Wishing her at least lots of success!

With love,

Mariette

Sonia said...

How exciting!! Your daughter is a talented chef just by reading the description and looking at the pictures I can almost taste her wonderful creations! Your tablescape is perfecto!! Wow..it's simple yet so elegant. I just love that runner!! I'll be in San Francisco this weekend and then to Carmel and Napa...wish the winery was open already in San Fran..but lots of other places I'll be checking out! Can't wait to get there... Thanks for sharing!

Carol@6WilsonBlog.com said...

Looks like a lovely lunch. You must be over the moon proud, I know I would be! What an enviable position -- to help your daughter's talents with your own.

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Delores, Your daughter is lovely and the table looks beautiful. I bet the gentlemen had a fabulous meal.
Hugs,
Sherry

Marlis said...

What a perfect backdrop to let your creativity shine. The runner was perfect there. What a lovely menu. Talent just runs loose in your lovely family. It looks like a great time was had by all!

A Toile Tale said...

Isn't that every mother's dream? Helping your children out with their dream? I'm sure the table setting gene will kick in someday soon.
Linda @ A Toile Tale

a quiet life said...

aren't you having fun setting tables!

The Tablescaper said...

Delores, this is amazing! You must be so proud. You and your daughter married your talents to produce an amazing event. Just spectacular!

- The Tablescaper

Lori E said...

I saw some pictures of this on your daughter's blog. Great gig...for both of you.
The winery won't be open until the spring???? Darn it.

Kathysue said...

Omgoodness Delores how amazing to work along side your children. It looks as if they have learned a thing or two from their Mom. You must be so proud. That menu sounds heavenly and I am going to remember the dessert idea!!! I am so happy for you to be able to experience this with your kids, that is the best!! xo Kathysue

Jacqueline said...

What a beautiful event. I had just admired your new table runner and it looks fabulous in this manly setting. I have never thought to put the tables together like this, but I love big square ones, they are almost like having a huge round one. Everything looks wonderful and what a fun menu. Love those cheesecakes.

On Crooked Creek said...

Delores,
What a thrill to be such an intricate part of your daughter's catering! I'm sure she appreciated your flare to mix the theme of the event with the tablescape! A masterpiece! Your linen table runner couldn't have been more perfect! Although wineries can be quite chilling. .. your tablescape exudes warmth! Mercury glass. .. elegance, leather chargers. . .masculine. The food prepared by your daughter and assistant made me green with envy.
Exquisite cuisine! Thank you for sharing this post and event with us!
Fondly,
Pat

Jennifer said...

Thanks for a sneak peak...gorgeous and delectable...much success!

Jennifer aka Gigi

Tablescapes By Diane said...

Hi lovely lady, I love your Gorgeous tablescapes sweet lady.
I have a Bottle of Taylor Fladgate Porto ~~never open!!Matured 20 years in wood and bottled in 1997~~if you go to my {Romantic Evening Tablescape for Two you will see it. Im your newest follower on your lovely blog.I hope you can come over and join my blog.and have a look. Thanks so much ~~Diane

Nancie Mills Pipgras said...

Another culinary coup for the Arabian Women! Score!

Tricia said...

Oh, my, what a stunning luncheon table! The food looks INCREDIBLE! What a fun setting for a special luncheon -- thanks for sharing!

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

Oh how WONDERFUL to be able to work with your children!!! YOur daughter is beautiful, the menu was perfect(I could almost taste each course)! Your tablesetting was just perfect for a table for the men! I adore that runner, can you share where you got it? Thanks so much for sharing this delightful day!!!!! XO, Pinky

Entertaining Women said...

Beautifully conceived. I'll bet that she scores another dozen events from the participants at this event. Well done, good and faithful mom! Thank you for sharing the pics. Cherry Kay

Tablescapes By Diane said...

Hi lovely lady. Thanks so much of your Beautiful comments on my Tablescapes you are so sweet. did you see the wine on my post ?
Diane

Greet Lefèvre said...

All fabulous!! The table setting, the food, the place!! MMMmm!
xx
Greet

Kelley said...

How fun Delores! Your table was wonderful and the food looked really yummy!

I would suspect the wine wasn't that shabby either!

xo kelley

Anonymous said...

Wow! Divine! You and your daughter make a TREMENDOUSLY WONDERFUL TEAM!
You must be so proud!
I think my favorite part is the leather chargers that are so masculinely elegant against the pristine white.
Hugs, Lana

Carol S. said...

Love it all! Smart winery to use your daughter, she's WAY talented and the food all looks great.

Smocking with Gwen said...

This is just plain wonderful! Ashley is definitely off and running and Mom....you're right there too!! I always take away some little something from you...which is so appreciated!
Gwen

Alycia Nichols said...

TEEEEE-riffic!!! It's nice to see a bunch of guys enjoying a nice setting like that. As women, we do it all the time and perhaps take it for granted sometimes. I'm glad you were able to help out your daughter and create such an inviting table for the fellows. I, too, often kiss the tables horizontally. It's a nice change! Kudos to you and your daughter!

Bonnie said...

Delores, You really should publish a book with all your lovely tablescapes. So elegant and perfect for the occasion. Loved your daughter's lovely dinner and enjoyed viewing her blog. Wish her business success. The food looked wonderful and your son's dessert sounds divine. Talent runs in the family.

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

This looks like a wonderful event -- how wonderful that your talents compliment each other so well. A very handsome table.

Anonymous said...

What a treat it would be to have sat at this gorgeous table! The table is gorgeous and the food looks so delicious! I love the beautiful silver bucket as the centerpiece.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

I feel as though I say the same thing every time I vist here...but it is always true! BEAUTIFUL! The setting, the food, everything! BEAUTIFUL!

I will try and work on some new material for my next visit;)!

Andrea said...

What a great event! Love the menu (perfect choices for men)and I love the table runner combined with the leather chargers.
I have been to some dinners in wineries and none of them were as beautiful as yours (no heaters either-brrr!)
Beautiful post!

Kellie Collis said...

Everything looks delicious! And that bucket that holds the flowers is just divine. Have a gorgeous day, Kellie xx

Charlene said...

What a fabulous event! The table decor is so elegant and the food look delicious! Thanks for sharing.

Tamra said...

Beautiful table setting!

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

such beautiful table setting and love the flowers in the bucket or was it wine cooler? beautiful!

Lizabeth said...

First you table setting was wonderful and looked so good with the surroundings!
Second, I must compliment you on having such a talented daughter! You must be so proud- running her own catering business and obviously doing a great job of it!
The food looks so yummy and the gentlemen must have been impressed!
5 stars!
Liz

California Wine Club Coupon said...

Best thing about being a member of a certain wine club is that you get to explore a lot of things about wine. You get to learn about it's complexities and how you can have it the best way.

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