[updated] Planning that once-in-a-lifetime wedding? Or maybe that social event of the year? Whether you dream of an intimate gathering or a larger event, these San Diego restaurants also double as caterers for that special day you will never forget.
1. The French Gourmet
Well known for its charming San Diego French restaurant and bakery in Pacific Beach, The French Gourmet creates luscious pastries and beautiful wedding cakes as well as outstanding food for dinner. Offering full-service catering since 1979, the experienced staff are experts at mastering wedding receptions as well as holiday, social and corporate events. Create a menu perfectly tailored to your special event while keeping within your budget. All dishes are unique and freshly prepared daily. In addition, The French Gourmet is one of the few off-premise wedding caterers in San Diego licensed for the service of alcoholic beverages. FINE magazine has personally used them for several events and they are amazing.
2. The Museum Cafe
Located within the Museum of Contemporary Art overlooking the Pacific Ocean in beautiful La Jolla, the Museum Cafe is a European-inspired bistro that focuses on fresh and seasonal cafe cuisine, boasting a special healthy spin. Growing up in a small town outside of Rome, Italy, owner and executive chef Giuseppe Ciuffa believes strongly in cooking, eating and using sustainable, local and organic ingredients. He also owns a very successful catering operation, with the flexibility to support a small business luncheon to a large special occasion or wedding. The Museum Cafe is your catering partner of choice for any breakfast or lunch gatherings, board meetings, private luncheons, open houses and holiday brunches.
3. Kitchen 1540
Comfortable and casual with an immense energy, KITCHEN 1540 has a great reputation for high-end modern cuisine and superb service, complete with an open kitchen where guests get to see the chefs in action. The culinary team consistently provides the ultimate culinary flavor adventure with cutting-edge dishes to keep the experience alive. For special events for eight to 100 people, KITCHEN 1540 offers several options ranging from the outdoor patios and cabanas to the wine room and social table. The KITCHEN Sink package offers five dishes per course, four courses total and an option to pair with wine. KITCHEN 1540’s dedicated party planners can assist with all the extras including music, decor and even a professional photographer to capture all the fun and memories.
4. BlueFire Grill
Several fabulous options are offered inside the BlueFire Grill at La Costa Resort and Spa including a traditional dining room experience with plush booths and a fireplace, or an opportunity for guests to choose to be in the center of all the action with the exhibition kitchen. The lounge is a cooler, trendier space with a glass-bottle fireplace that changes color and an outdoor plaza patio that is perfect for enjoying appetizers and drinks. From meat and seafood to produce, oils and even jams, Chef de Cuisine Gregory Frey Jr. is dedicated to using fresh local products. Offering a variety of package specials makes La Costa’s picturesque 400-acre village setting the ideal backdrop for many wedding-related events including engagement parties, bridal showers, luncheons and teas, rehearsal dinners, bridesmaids’ and groomsmen’s luncheons, golf outings and more.
5. Bali Hai
Known for its gorgeous location on Shelter Island with magnificent views of the San Diego Bay marina and city skyline, Bali Hai Restaurant has been an independent family owned favorite for nearly 60 years. The Pacific Rim-inspired menu takes advantage of the wide variety of farm-fresh regional ingredients available, focusing on a seasonal and approachable cuisine. From the dining room to three unique and versatile private rooms, your event choice is wide open at this enchanted island location. They are happy to satisfy any special requests and to host your wedding, class reunion, birthday, anniversary, concert, memorial, festival, fundraiser, business meeting, seminar or corporate event.
6. Waters Fine Foods & Catering
Making entertaining convenient as well as affordable, Waters Fine Foods & Catering quickly developed a reputation as one of San Diego’s top catering companies and has since been consistently named Best Caterer by local media. Producing distinctive events and providing high-quality local, organic and sustainable handcrafted fare, owner Mary Kay Waters has very high standards and takes pride in never taking any shortcuts. With locations in San Diego’s Bay Park neighborhood and Solana Beach, Chef Waters offers delicious fare for quick, tasty lunches, hors d’oeuvres, gourmet food platters, special holiday meals, and ready-to-serve family dinners.
7. The Prado at Balboa Park
The Prado is the winner of numerous local and national awards for its location and cuisine. Strategically positioned in the architecturally stunning House of Hospitality, it is the only full-service restaurant in world-famous Balboa Park.
and national awards for its location and cuisine.
Surrounded by museums, theaters, gardens and fountains, the Prado is a destination for both tourists and locals. It is a striking combination of lush landscapes, structural designs, and cultural attractions. With multiple choices for dining, including an enclosed terrace, open-air patio and lively lounge, it’s easy to find the right atmosphere for your visit. The restaurant is also a favorite for catering that special occasion or event, offering the perfect backdrop for parties, meetings and more.
8. Mistral at Loews Coronado Bay Resort
Located within the Loews Coronado Bay Resort, a location that provides excellence in dining, entertaining and lodging, Mistral is a quintessential destination restaurant offering fresh Mediterranean cuisine served in a less pretentious and casual environment. The atmosphere in the dining room is romantic and bubbly with magnificent views of sunsets across San Diego Bay and a panorama of downtown San Diego in the distance. Turn your event into the perfect dining experience at Mistral, where several pre-designed three-course menus for 12 or more guests are featured. In addition, the entire restaurant can be reserved for up to 110 guests. Settled within the bayfront and marina, you can also ride a gondola through the local canals for a unique occasion.
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