Royal Reception
Sample menus of the region’s most delicious catering.
By Victoria Bradley
Nothing is more romancing than a decadent meal, which is why the wedding day feast is so important. In our taste tour of the region, we discover some delicious trends in catering — such as small plates for passed hors d’oeuvres instead of just finger foods and after parties with comfort foods (like pizza, Mmm). We also find that in our search for the perfect menu, we are not limited to the catering houses. Many of our favorite restaurants will ante up for the big day affair, which means we can have our favorite pasta be the first thing to touch our lips after the I-do kiss.
Common Plea Catering
2945 Smallman St., Strip District. 412.281.5140.
Passed hors d’oeuvres:
Grilled shrimp
Asparagus Napoleon
Miniature soup sip
Sit-down dinner:
Veal tenderloin over potato cake and spinach sauté with wild mushroom sauce
Dessert:
Profiteroles with chocolate ganache
Price per person:
$39-$59
All in Good Taste Productions
2945 Smallman St., Strip District. 412.281.5140.
Passed hors d’oeuvres:
Thin-crusted pizzas with caramelized onion, Taleggio and Reggiano cheese with basil
Asian vegetable rolls with lemongrass dipping sauce and Moroccan beef cigars with yogurt dipping sauce
Petite herbed meatballs with roasted garlic in herbed gougères, mustard horseradish sauce
Entrees:
Grilled barbecued rack of pork and grilled herbed poussin
Summer orzo salad
Grilled vegetable terrine with organic sprouts and grilled beet
Sit-down dinner:
Summer salad of Romaine, spinach, Watercress and Napa cabbage, dates, and figs, roasted tomato vinaigrette
Crispy confit of duck
Caramelized onion chèvre tart with sautéed sliced almonds, blueberries, and diced mango
Dessert:
Almond butter cake
Lemon génoise
Meringue torte with chocolate ganache
Sliced melon, papaya, grilled pineapple
Bowl of assorted berries
Berry sorbet
Toffee Taboo
Price per person:
Available upon request
Yes, We Cater, Inc.
2326 Mosside Blvd., Monroeville. 412.373.9322.
Crudités:
Assorted international cheeses boards with dipping mustard and flatbread crackers
Fruit skewers with honey-mint dip
Grilled vegetables in balsamic glaze with feta and basil
Passed hors d’oeuvres:
Cocktail shrimp martinis with cocktail sauce, frisée, and fresh lemon
Lamb chops with organic mint jus lie
Mini “Pittsburgh style” sandwiches (turkey, beef, corned beef, ham)
Fresh mozzarella roulade with basil and prosciutto
Thai fresh rolls in rice paper with peanut dipping sauce
Plated salad:
Mixed field green garden salad with Gorgonzola, pears, and candied nuts in balsamic vinaigrette, presented in an English cucumber ring with croutons
Italian Pasta Station (Made to Order):
Saffron rice, penne, or ravioli with asparagus, roasted peppers, mushrooms, artichokes, fresh basil, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, prosciutto, shrimp, clams, or mussels
Topped with alfredo, marinara, vodka, or pesto sauce
Carving Station:
Black pepper-crusted prime rib au jus, served with Gorgonzola aioli and roasted pepper coulis
Parmesan-crusted chicken cutlet with lemon, white wine, tomato concasse, and capers
Dessert Station:
Fresh fruit tartlets
Chocolate-covered strawberries
Lemon meringue
Key lime pie
Chocolate ganache
Cinnamon and coffee bean tartlet
Cheesecake lollies
Mini cannoli
Price per person:
$59.50
La Crème, Inc.
1650 Metropolitan St., North Shore. 412.325.3300.
Butlered hors d’oeuvres:
Pâté de fois gras with caramelized plum crostini
Grilled shrimp wrapped in prosciutto
Mini goat cheese and wild mushroom tarts
Steak au poivre crostini
Pre-set salad:
Layered bibb lettuce with fresh herbs and lemon vinaigrette
Ciabatta bread with Harissa-infused butter
Sit-down dinner:
Chicken portabella marsala
Pan-seared halibut with lemon-herb butter
Roasted asparagus with truffle oil and sea salt
Roasted rosemary fingerling potatoes
Imported select cheeses and fresh fruit
Dessert:
Wedding cake
Cookie trays
Price per person:
$65
Girasole
733 Copeland St., Shadyside. 412.682.2130.
Primi:
Imported Italian meats and cheeses, artichoke hearts, oven-roasted tomatoes, roasted red peppers, and olives
Passed hors d’oeuvres:
Crostini with escarole, pancetta, and smoked mozzarella
Crimini mushrooms stuffed with Taleggio cheese and pear
Eggplant meatballs
Crab and risotto cakes
Insalata:
Arugula salad with tomato, lemon, and Parmigiano Reggiano
Pasta:
Spinach and ricotta ravioli in a tomato cream sauce
Secondo:
Filet mignon topped with a white truffle fondue overprosciutto-wrapped asparagus
Black bass with rapini,butternut squash and chestnuts
Dessert:
Assorted panna cotta
Price per person:
$50
The Fluted Mushroom
109 S.12th St., South Side. 412.381.1899.
Butlered Hors d’oeuvres:
Stacked sandwiches
Miniature salmon or crab cakes with parsley sauce
Ratatouille and feta cheese or Stilton mousse with bacon in gougère
Appetizers:
Ceviche of jumbo shrimp on a bed of cilantro/cucumber noodles with Mesclun greens and lime/honey vinaigrette
Pecan-smoked trout with composed greens, Jack Daniel’s mustard vinaigrette with fresh trout roe and pickled melon
Carpaccio of buffalo with Chanterelle mushrooms marinated in a thyme vinaigrette with saffron orzo and fine herb Arugula oil
Smoked goose with currant relish, sliced melons, composed greens and baby currant tomatoes
Entrée:
Herb-roasted halibut on a bed of braised fennel with saffron basmati rice
Timbale and sauteed broccoli rabe with pine nuts
Pierred breast of chicken stuffed with a wild mushroom farce with natural chicken demi-glace, accompanied by batonnet of root vegetables and chive-whipped potatoes
Pink peppercorn and mustard seed crusted tenderloin of beef
Dessert:
Meringue baskets with raspberry mousse and fresh raspberries with chocolate sauce
Swan cakes with lemon filling and spun sugar
Neapolitan mousse in chocolate tear drops
Price per person:
Available upon request
Bella Sera Catering
414 Morganza Road, Canonsburg. 724.745.5575.
Beverages:
Lemonade station with fresh lemons & simple syrup
Champagne punch
Cocktail & Hors d’oeuvres:
Fresh fruit, cheese, and antipasto presentation with crostini
Mini pita chicken pesto pizza with shaved Parmesan (grilled on-site)
Salad Service:
Chilled strawberry soup shooter
Spinach salad with fresh strawberries, candied walnuts, and poppy seed dressing
Starch/Vegetable Station:
Roasted garlic mashed potatoes with butter, herbs, and shallots
Grilled vegetable bouquet
Stuffed hot banana peppers with sweet sausage and marinara sauce
Grilling Station:
Whole beef tenderloin with rosemary horseradish cream
Grilled calamari skewer and arugula salad with salsa verde and white beans and vinaigrette
Chicken skewers with sweet yellow and red pepper and red onion
Fresh-baked rolls
Dessert Trio:
Chocolate-covered strawberries and mini cannoli
Hot coffee station with condiments
Price per person: $55-$113