Menu Ideas

Here are a few of my current menus for you to choose from for that special event.

We typically offer you a 3-course meal: Appetizers/Soups&Salads, Entrees, 2 Sides Dishes, Dessert

STANDARD DINNER MENU

Appetizers

  • Antipasti Bites : Sopressata (A cured salami), Fresh Mozzarella Balls, Basil, Roasted Bell Peppers, Grape Tomatoes and a Balsamic Reduction
  • Zucchini Latkes with Fresh Herbs and Sour Cream Sauce
  • Caprese Bruschetta – Fresh Mozzarella, Heirloom Tomatoes, Basil, Olive Oil on Crostini
  • Palomino Cheese-Stuffed Meatballs in Marinara
  • Seasoned Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail with Vodka Chili Cocktail Sauce (Additional $)
  • California Crab Cakes with Avocado Tartar (Additional $)
  • Three Cheese-Stuffed Baby “Bella” Mushrooms (Additional $)
  • Baby Artichoke Hearts Stuffed with Gorgonzola – Lightly Breaded & served with Lemon White Wine Butter (Additional $)
  • Charcuterie Board: Italian cured meats, cheeses, olives, grapes, nuts, & other seasonal special items (Additional $)
  • Chef’s Seasonal Soup du Jour (he can customize this soup to your tastes)
  • Classic Onion Fondue Soup
  • Tuscan Tomato Bread Soup with Infused Garlic Oil
  • Mixed Greens with Grape Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Avocado in a Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette
  • Chilled Asparagus Salad, with your choice of Prosciutto or Figs, in a Balsamic Vinaigrette
  • Roasted Beet and Pear Salad with Goat Cheese, Pine Nuts, Dates in a Rice Wine Vinaigrette
  • Traditional Caesar Salad with Garlic Crostini
  • Jumbo Shrimp Salad with Belgian Endive, Avocado, Leeks, & Garlic Aioli (Additional $)
  • Spicy Ahi Tuna Poke with Avocado, Sesame, Cucumber, Greens, & Cilantro Mayo (Additional $)

Entrees

BEEF, PORK, & LAMB

  • Italian-Style Meatloaf with Balsamic Onions
  • Spice-Rubbed Tri Tip with Demi-Glace
  • Beef Tenderloin with your choice of: Sliced Garlic, Lemon, Fresh Basil, & EVOO or Bourguignon Shallot Sauce
  • Steak : Choice of Rib-Eye or New York Cut, cooked to order
  • Fall off the Bone Baby-Back Ribs with a Portuguese Piri Piri Rub
  • Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Shallots and Fresh Apples
  • Porterhouse Pork Chop with Porcini Mushroom Cream Sauce (Additional $)
  • Garlic & Herb-Crusted New Zealand Half Rack of Lamb (Additional $)
  • Moroccan Lamb Stew with Currants, Roasted Vegetables & Potatoes (Additional $)

CHICKEN

  • Chicken Marsala with Mushrooms, Pancetta and Marsala Wine
  • Chicken Piccata in a Lemon Caper White Wine Sauce
  • Traditional Chicken Parmigiana with Parmesan, Fresh Mozzarella, & Chef Wayne’s Classic Homemade Marinara
  • Spice-Rubbed Organic Roasted Half Chicken, served with a Rosemary & Thyme Bone Broth Reduction (Additional $)

SEAFOOD

  • Sweet Garlic & Ginger Glazed Salmon Filet (Additional $)
  • Garlic & Herb-Crusted Sea Bass or other market-fresh fish (Additional $)
  • Crab-Stuffed Rainbow Trout with a Lemon Cream Sauce (Additional $)
  • Pan-Seared Ahi Tuna, Sesame Crusted with a Wasabi Sauce (Additional $)
  • Garlic, Panko, & Grana Padano-Crusted Shrimp Scampi in Lemon Butter

PASTA

  • Pasta Primavera ala Vodka – Penne with Calamata Olives, Asparagus, Roasted Red Peppers, Radicchio, and Crimini Mushrooms, served in a Tomato Cream Sauce
  • Bolognese – Classic Italian Meat Sauce served either with Pasta or in a Lasagna
  • Vegetable Lasagna Florentine – Spinach and Ricotta/Mozzarella/Parmesan Cheese’s with Chef’s Special Marinara

*Recipes can be altered and substitutions made to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free, as needed

Side Dishes

  • Mashed Yukon Gold Potatoes with Cotija Cheese (or Parmesan, if preferred)
  • Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Red Peppers with Fresh Thyme
  • Au Gratin Potatoes – Thinly Sliced Potatoes with 5 Gourmet Cheeses
  • Arborio Rice (Risotto) with English Peas & Asparagus
  • Israeli Couscous with Currants and Pearl Onions
  • Sauteed Green Beans with Slivered Garlic, Mushrooms in Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Sundried Tomatoes, Raisins & Pancetta
  • Sauteed Sugar Snap Peas with Roasted Shallots
  • Roasted Broccoli & Cauliflower with Pink Himalayan Salt, Garlic, & EVOO

Desserts

  • Cakes (we can make any flavor you would like : Chocolate, Chocolate Raspberry, Carrot Cake, Vanilla, Red Velvet, etc…), for parties of 6 or more
  • Tiramisu Torte
  • Cannoli
  • Napoleon
  • Fruit & Custard Tart
  • White Chocolate Mousse Parfait with Fresh Berries
  • Baked Apples with Zabaglione (Italian Custard) and Cinnamon
  • Seasonal Pie (let’s discuss), for parties of 6 or more

Mexican Dinner Party Menu

I wouldn’t be a good California chef if I didn’t have a decent Mexican foods menu available.

We start your evening with fresh Guacamole, Salsa, and Tortilla Chips

Appetizers

  • Albondigas Soup : Mexican Meatball Soup with fresh Mint
  • Chilled Avocado Soup
  • Chopped Mexican Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing
  • Spicy Fruit Platter : Melons, pineapple, papaya and mango dusted with a chili sugar powder
  • Mexican Black Bean and Corn Salad
  • Shrimp and Fish Ceviche
  • Taco Bar : a nice, simple set up with tortillas and taco trimmings

Entrees

  • Pork Carnitas : Slow Cooked and medium spiced
  • Veracruz-Style Pescado : A Fish Stew (I will choose the best fish, based on what’s fresh and good just prior)
  • Enchiladas : your choice of chicken, cheese or shrimp
  • Chile Verde : Classic style with your choice of chicken or pork
  • Roasted Organic Half Chicken with Tomatillo Sauce (similar to chile verde, but with a roasted half chicken)
  • Chili Relleno : Dipped Chili, Stuffed with cheese, baked and served with a mild red sauce

Side Dishes

  • Papas Oniadas con queso (Baked Potatoes with Mexican cheese)
  • Tri-Colored Refried Beans
  • Mexican-Style Rice
  • Red Cabbage Slaw
  • Roasted Corn with Fresh Herbs

Desserts

  • Fresh Fruit Platter (as listed above in appetizers)
  • Cake (any flavor you would like..maybe Dulce De Leche?)
  • Flan