Royal Fig Catering » Westlake Hills TX events

Thanks to BZ Events

Royal Fig — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 22:51:11 +0000

Cilantro Masa Cakes with Black Bean Salsa, Photo by Rojo Pictures

Several months ago, Cortney Zieky, the “Z” of BZ Events, called me to ask if their team could hold their monthly staff meeting at our office. So they called in an etiquette coach to do a seminar for their staff as we cooked up some tasty treats! On the menu was:

Grilled Flank Steak with Shiner Onions
Tabasco Poached Shrimp Shooters
Cilantro Masa Cakes with Black Bean Salsa
Yucatan Pulled Pork on Arepas
and a selection of Artisan Cheeses from Antonelli’s Cheese Shop

Here are two blog posts about this fun evening that feature photography by Rojo Pictures:

BZ Events Blog CLM Etiquette Blog

Thanks BZ! We’d love to have you back!

We love our staff!

Royal Fig — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 16:00:31 +0000

Last weekend we created some great memories by treating our fabulous staff to a party! Our staff is so amazing at making our guests feel special, we wanted to do the same for them. So Natalie, our new Event Coordinator, planned a pirate themed night of fun! Not only did we have a pirate themed bouncy house, but Dan did a crawfish boil with cajun spiced corn and potatoes and even some green chili mac and cheese for our vegetarian friends. Of course we had to have hurricanes and pina coladas too! Here are some pictures of the evening, as documented by our office-mate Thomas Meredith from Rojo Pictures.

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Unfortunately, not everyone's experience in the bouncy house ended well...

even our 4 legged friends had a blast!

Check us out on the Style Me Pretty blog!

Royal Fig — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:00:50 +0000

We are very honored to be included on the Style Me Pretty blog as photographed by the talented Jennifer Nichols. Check out the Style Me Pretty blog by clicking here!

Photo by The Nichols

This was the menu for this rustic chic event:

Passed Appetizers:
Yucatan Pulled Pork on Arepas with Queso Fresco and Ancho Paint
Vera Cruz Shrimp Shooters
Cilantro Masa Cake with Black Bean Salsa

Family Style Dinner:
Southwestern Green Salad with Poblano Ranch and Lime Vinaigrette Dressings
Smoked Chicken with Chimichuri Sauce and Mexican Rice
Chili Rubbed Tilapia Tacos with all the fixin’s
Black Beans with Queso Fresco and Cilantro
Fire Roasted Corn on the Cob with Chipotle Butter
Pineapple Jicama Slaw

Dessert:
Ice Cream Bar with Breyers Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream (the groom’s favorite!)
Mexican Hot Fudge, Sprinkles and Nuts

Specialty Cocktails:
Prickly Pear Margarita (bride’s drink – matched her dress!)
Manhattan (groom’s drink – another favorite of his)
Fresh Squeezed Cucumber Lemonade

Catering Trend: Family Style!

Royal Fig — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 02:38:21 +0000

Everyone pause for a moment and think about Thanksgiving. That time of year when family and friends reunite to celebrate life’s little and big blessings. Now, think about the food. If you are a member of a typical American household, you may well find yourself envisioning a traditional family-style service. The turkey is front and center on the table, carved and looking well-roasted. The veggies and side dishes surround the bird in separate bowls and platters, all to be passed to your neighbor in a loving and courteous manner. (Yes, I said loving and courteous… this is a day of thanks, everyone!) The spirit of this meal is unity: a bringing together of people in celebration and sharing. So, too, can this dinner service help to translate that feeling of unity you wish to achieve at your wedding or special event.

Over the past few weeks, I have been privileged to attend several weddings at which Royal Fig prepared family-style meals. This style of service has become very popular in the catering world, and understandably so. At each event, the guests can enjoy a plated first course, such as a crisp spring salad, while the main course is being prepared.

Soon after, the servers set each table with heaping platters and bowls of warm food straight from the kitchen.

And just like at Thanksgiving, the guests prepare their own plates with each item and then politely pass the platter to their neighbor. This is a time for the guests to relax, enjoy each other’s company, and have a common means of participating in this special day.

This family style was truly a family affair!

Now that you have a sense of what family-style is all about, let me itemize some of the pros and cons of this style of service to keep in mind when planning your event.

Advantages:
1)   A real sense of community with others attending the event.
2)   The full meal is brought to the table, so no interruption of the table’s conversation to go stand in a buffet line.
3)   Atmosphere is more relaxed than a plated meal.
4)   Food is served directly from the oven, instead of being overcooked in a chafing dish at a buffet.
5)   The food acts as a colorful centerpiece to the table, saving money and time on large or elaborate arrangements.

Disadvantages:
1)   More service staff is generally needed compared to a buffet. (But still less staff than a plated meal.)
2)   Some caterers charge per additional platter used. (Although Royal Fig’s pricing remains the same!)
3)   Some foods do not work well with family-style, as all dishes and platters must be passed. (This rules out the heavy dishes or hot dishes directly from the oven, like lasagna.)
4)   If the couple or party planner has a vision for an expansive centerpiece, a larger table rental (72” round) will be necessary to accommodate the food platters.
5)   This service style is very informal compared to a plated meal. Your vision for the event will dictate.

So, analyze these pros and cons of family-style and determine whether or not it fits in with your vision for the big day. But do realize that when you select family-style service for your wedding or special event, you will provide your guests with a sense of community at the table. A place where they can comfortably interact and reconnect as they share their food and their stories, at their own pace. Besides, what brings people together in celebration better than discussing the masterful preparation and colorful presentation of the Grilled Sockeye Salmon with Caper Buerre Blanc they are passing around the table?!

Royal Fig featured in the Westlake Picayune

Royal Fig — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 20:27:45 +0000

We are still getting some press coverage of our opening party! Check out the latest feature in the Westlake Picayune at:

http://westlakepicayune.com/2010/02/05/royal-fig-opens-in-west-lake-hills/

Thanks to Community Impact!

Royal Fig — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:40:30 +0000

Thanks so much to Community Impact for featuring our reopening in their latest issue! It was a pleasure meeting these lovely ladies at our party! Check out the article:

http://impactnews.com/lake-travis-westlake/439-impacts/6864-lake-travis-westlake-impacts-february-2010

More pictures from our Grand Reopening Party!

Royal Fig — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:00:34 +0000

Here are some more pictures by Eric Hegwer, Austin Wedding Photographer, from our Grand Reopening Party on January 19th. Thanks for the great pictures Eric!

Smoked Parsnip Soup Shooters

Beef Carpacchio with Arugula, Caper Berries, and Dijon Emulsion

Handmade sugar flowers by Stardust Pastry

more on the dessert bar by Stardust Pastry

Morel and Oyster Mushrooms on Polenta Cakes

Seared Pork Belly with Banyuls Gastrique

Chef Dan showing off his new tattoo at the end of the night!

Brunch Weddings

Royal Fig — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:00:57 +0000

Brunch has always been my favorite meal of the week! Getting up on a Saturday or Sunday to french toast, eggs benedicts and mimosas is just heaven in book! Lately, we’ve been doing more and more brunch weddings. It’s a great casual relaxed atmosphere with a great mixture of both sweet and savory dishes. Here are some pictures from one of my favorite brunches we’ve catered – the wedding of Wendy and Michael.

The wedding took place at this gorgeous house in Sun City owned by Wendy's aunt and uncle. Photo by Wildhouse Photography.

I loved her non-traditional bouquet because it was easy for her to hold during the entire ceremony. Photo by Wildhouse Photography

Brunch started with a great selection of fruits and cheeses. Photo by Wildhouse Photography

Photo by Wildhouse Photography

We also had fresh eggs benedicts on homemade biscuits, brioche french toast with peach and pecan syrup (from Fredricksburg), lots of bacon and fresh squeezed orange juice!

We didn't forget about the kids! There was a special kids table with homemade mac and cheese just for them! Photo by Wildhouse Photography

We made sure Wendy had a minute to sit down and enjoy all of the great food along with a pomegranate mimosa! Photo by Wildhouse Photography

We really enjoyed helping Wendy and Michael plan their wedding. We wish them many happy years to come! Photo by Wildhouse Photography

Are you looking for a great event venue?

Royal Fig — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:12:00 +0000

If you are in the market for a great venue for your wedding or event, you have to check out Memory Lane Wedding and Event Center. We love it so much that WE were married there last year! We’ll be at Memory Lane tonight from 5:30 to 7:30pm for their open house. Come out and visit us to see this beautiful hill country treasure and taste some of our yummy food! More information on Memory Lane can be found at www.memorylaneweddings.com.

Photo by Eric Hegwer, Austin Wedding Photographer

MEMORY LANE OPEN HOUSE
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2010
5:30-7:30pm
403 KC Memory Lane
Dripping Springs, TX 78620

Royal Fig has been featured on examiner.com!

Royal Fig — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:53:10 +0000

We’re still hearing great things about our Grand Reopening Party! Click here to check out the recent article on WWW.EXAMINER.COM! Thanks to reporter, Jette Momant, for the glowing review!