AK Blog

Events

• Fielding Dreams Gala Helps to Keep Sports Alive for NYC Kids
  Posted: April 17, 2012 at 12:06 pm

  There was no better way to kick off the warm weather season than by teaming up with Randall’s Island Park Alliance for its 2012 Fielding Dreams Gala to celebrate their continued success as a sprawling sports destination for thousands of New York City youngsters. 

  The high profile event, held at Skylight Soho last month, honored NY Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez and Pamela Liebman of The Corcoran Group, while attracting nearly 500 guests including Inside the Actor’s Studio‘s James Lipton, MSNBC’s Willie Geist, and countless philanthropists, city officials and industry leaders.

  With the room dressed in vibrant shades of blues and greens alongside grass-based centerpieces to keep in theme, guests were treated to some of the newest additions to our cocktail hour menu, including the Roving Artisan Pretzel, Beer & Popcorn Cart and the Spiked Lemon Tea signature drink.

  

  After the family style dinner — which started with a Deconstructed Caesar Salad, followed by a Grilled Tournedo of Beef and ending with Pie in a Jar a la Mode for dessert — was a live auction benefiting the organization’s sports programs that are free of charge to thousands of public school kids in Harlem and the South Bronx.

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• Featured Wedding: Amy & Jeff
  Posted: February 14, 2012 at 11:36 am

  

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

  Jeff knew that Amy was impossible to surprise, so he figured the only way to catch her off guard was when she was asleep. He woke Amy up to some of their favorite things, and after a few sweet moments, Jeff was on one knee. He planned a whole day of revisiting some of their favorite memories in NYC, including where they first met and where they had their first date. 

  Finding the right location for their big day came next. “After visiting multiple venues, we knew Tappan Hill was the right one for us because it had everything we were looking for – beautiful location, intimate, elegant and great food and service,” says Amy.

  

  The couple wanted to incorporate seasonal fall colors — like deep oranges, yellows, and greens — as well as both of their religions and cultures into their Jewish/Chinese ceremony. “We went with a soft, drapey chuppah, and as part of the ceremony, tied in many various Chinese influenced traditions and colors,” says Amy.

  
                 

  

  Amy: All the hors d’oeuvres — especially the blanketed franks

  Jeff: The Miso Glazed Red Snapper (with rice and poppy seeds), so good!

   

  “Our favorite moment was the first time we saw each other outside on the promenade where we then got married. It was really intimate and special for us,” says Amy. As for Jeff, the the most emotional moment of the whole day was when he laid eyes on his bride for the first time!

  The couple will also never forget when the lead band member asked everyone to form a circle and pulled in various people to dance. “The best part was when my brother broke down in a break dance and flipped up from the ground!” says Amy.

  

  “Our guests talked about how much fun they had at our wedding, and the really delicious food both at the cocktail hour and reception. And the great dancing!” says Amy. “Our wedding day was one of the best days of our lives! We couldn’t have done it without the team at Tappan Hill!”     

  

  

  floral design: Diana Gould | photography: BeCreative Photography | entertainment: Big Ric Rising of Brandywine Valley Entertainment | wedding dress: Pronovias | groom’s attire: Custom-made tuxedo | bridesmaid dresses: Melissa Sweet

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• Event Trends: Soothing Colors, “Farm to Fork” and More!
  Posted: January 26, 2012 at 12:47 pm

  

  We may be only a handful of weeks into 2012, but new event trends are replacing the old at a rapid rate. We’re seeing less of the illuminated bars and the industrial designs. Far fewer requests for family style dining have been heard around the company. And event-themed cocktails are few and far between.

  Take a look at the latest in the realm of event and menu planning for the new year.

   

  

  COLORS
  Neutral tones like earthy browns, greys, cool blues
  Accents of intense “POC” (pops of color)

  TEXTURES
  Less complexity, more soothing environments
  Metallic finishes, natural fabrics, small repeating patterns

   

   

  ETHNIC CUISINES
  Korean and Nordic dishes are the ones to watch

  LOCAL, LOCAL, LOCAL
  Mushrooms, honey, artisanal cheese
  It’s all about “farm to fork”

  DINNER BY THE BITE
  Presenting a wide variety of foods on the menu
  Greater opportunity to mingle with other guests and “graze”
  Heavy emphasis on unique individual serving vessels

  ANTIQUE EATS
  Long-standing recipes explored with pheasant, duck and venison

  PASTRIES
  Breakfast cookies, caneles, macaroons gaining traction

  HOME COOKING MAKING A COMEBACK
  Accessibility of ingredients and information

   

  

  ROMANCE WITH THE PAST CONTINUES
  Manhattans, old fashions, punch
  Our favorite – the Gin Gin Mule  

  IN THE SPOTLIGHT
  Herbaceous cocktails
  Bitters or bark/leaf infused
  Simple syrups made with pine, sage, lavender

  LIQUOR TO LOOK FOR
  Gin, aged tequila, craft beers
  Our new favorite – Titos Handmaid Vodka 

   

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• New York Botanical Garden’s Winter Wonderland Ball Enchants Manhattan’s Most Glamorous
  Posted: December 15, 2011 at 1:24 pm

  

   

  It was a night of whimsical settings, festive feasts and lively dancing for New York City’s elite social set over the weekend as the New York Botanical Garden hosted its 12th annual Winter Wonderland Ball on Friday.

  Over 350 guests — decked in a couture dress code of “Winter White and Black” — began the annual black tie gala in the Palm Court with specialty champagne cocktails provided by Domaine de Canton and an assortment of butlered hors d’oeuvres including our Nuevo Sushi and Catsmo Smoked Salmon Crisp. And in keeping with the holiday spirit, we couldn’t help but add a little holiday flair to the presentation!

  One of the most unique aspects of the evening was the Holiday Train Show, which served as a backdrop for the cocktail hour, with more than a dozen toy locomotives zipping around and through 140 miniaturized New-York landmarks that were created from natural elements (think twigs, seeds and every type of vegetation imaginable.)

  

  Following the cocktail reception, guests — including Tinsley Mortimer, Nina Garcia and Charlotte Ronson — moved into a simple but elegant tent with floral event designs from Martin Jobes Designs and ambient up-lighting by Frost Lighting.

  

  And in keeping with the winter wonderland theme, we incorporated seasonal ingredients. Here’s a peek at the gala menu:

      

  Proceeds from the event were put towards the Garden’s Children’s Education programs that serve kids of all ages, particularly under-served children in the Bronx.

  (Photo Credit: HeyMrJason Photography)
  
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