Best of Benchmarc Events

Skip Lunch Fight Hunger with City Harvest

Tue, 14 May 2013 13:53:45 -0400

It’s that time of year again! Join Benchmarc Events in the fight against hunger in New York City! Our team is raising funds for Skip Lunch Fight Hunger (May 13-17), City Harvest’s annual campaign that asks New Yorkers to donate what they would normally spend on lunch to help feed New York’s hungry children and their families.

During summer months, access to free school meals may become limited, adding strain to families who already struggle to put food on the table. You can make a difference by donating today! Even a small amount helps City Harvest rescue and deliver good food for hungry children and their families.

Click here to join us in the fight against hunger!

Plan Your Post-Wedding (Recovery) Brunch

Fri, 10 May 2013 14:54:28 -0400

The height of wedding season is upon us! Once you have your wedding planned and your rehearsal dinner booked (which Benchmarc Events also loves to do!), the last piece of the puzzle is usually the day after brunch.

We offer a wide array of options for all budgets, from drop-off catering to in-house private parties in one of our restaurants. Take the stress and effort out of it (and alleviate your morning after hangover) and contact us to take care of all the details!

Nothin’ like our egg + cheese sandwiches to soak up last night’s alcohol!

Our fresh fruit salad is great for detoxing after a long night…

Landmarc Time Warner Center is a great venue for post-wedding brunch!

Beachside with Benchmarc Events

Tue, 07 May 2013 14:31:33 -0400

Ready for summer in the Hamptons, but not quite ready to let go of your favorite NYC restaurants? Benchmarc Events will come to you with delicious and relaxed menus that are perfect for summer. Our lobster bakes are especially festive for summer at the beach.

Contact us today and let us do all the work, while you relax and imbibe beachside!

Spice Up Your Cinco de Mayo

Fri, 03 May 2013 10:48:38 -0400

May is here and the sun is finally shining, which can only mean one thing…Cinco de Mayo time! Today we’ve got some creative ideas to help spice up your Cinco party this year.

Taco Station - set up a make-your-own taco bar with tortillas, various proteins, and all sorts of toppings. Serve it up on the grill for an outdoor twist!

Dip It Good - we love good ol’ guacamole, but why not switch it up with other authentic dips and sauces, too? We love queso and pico de gallo.

Gettin’ Corny - Nothing says summer like corn on the cob. Make it Mexican by grilling the corn and topping it with cotija cheese and spices.

Crunchy ‘n Crispy - Take a walk on the wild side and stray from the traditional taco. Serve crispy tortillas with refried or pureed black beans, cotija cheese and lots of crisp lettuce.

Show the Love with Employee Appreciation

Wed, 01 May 2013 10:04:45 -0400

Show your employees that their hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed with an office delivery of our impressive charcuterie and cheese platters. Really want to win them over? How about a sweet ending of chocolate covered strawberries? Your employees will be smiling for days and maybe you’ll get more than a coffee mug for Christmas this year.

Yesterday Benchmarc Restaurants and Benchmarc Events hosted its annual Employee Appreciation party at Ditch Plains UWS. It’s become a great tradition for staff to get together and feel the love for all the great work everyone puts in year round. Check out the pictures from our Hawaiian luau theme party below!

Contact us today to plan your own employee apprection party, whether in-house at one of our restaurants or through drop-off catering at your own venue.

How to Spoil Mom on Mother’s Day!

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:42:30 -0400

There’s nothing like having good food and family around to celebrate that special lady in your life! Treat your mom to a Mother’s Day brunch with your family and friends in one of our private spaces at Landmarc Tribeca or Time Warner Center.

See some of our favorite ideas for brunch in the pictures below. We can even help to arrange flowers from one of our favorite vendors. Contact us today to make your mom’s day extra special!

Mini fruit + yogurt parfaits

Egg sandwiches on English muffin with gruyere

Fresh fruit salad with the season’s best

Catch Of The Day!

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:55:42 -0400

What’s better in the summer than fresh fish and a summery cocktail? Plan your next fish fiesta with Benchmarc Events and we’ll make sure you feel like you’ve set sail!

Our raw bar with lobster tail, oysters, and poached shrimp is a great crowd pleaser. Or a ceviche is always welcome in the warm summer months – try our snapper ceviche with chili lime popcorn as a passed hors d’oeuvre. Cool off with any of our signature cocktails like our PM Kick.

Our PM Kick cocktail

Snapper Ceviche with Chili-Lime Popcorn

Benchmarc Events’ Raw Bar

Take It Outside

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:45:33 -0400

With spring weather finally catching up to our calendar, we are all loving this sunny weather. After spending the week mostly indoors at our desks, who doesn’t want to spend as much time as possible outside.

Why not have us help you cater an outdoor event with all your friends to celebrate this amazing weather? We can set up full service catered events or can prepare an awesome drop-off spread for you to enjoy in the fresh spring air. Contact us today to start planning your next event al fresco!

April Showers Bring...Fun Cocktails

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:13:50 -0400

Shower season is upon us - bridal and baby showers that is! Tea service is a dainty and traditional shower option, but why not depart from the norm with a fun cocktail reception?

For baby showers, design a signature cocktail that can easily transform into a cocktail to keep everyone happy. Passionfruit tea with fresh mint is a refreshing choice for spring. Easily spruce it up with some rum, if desired!

Contact us today to help you create a festive reception menu in any of our restaurants or bring it to your own venue.

Passionfruit tea cocktails put a twist on the traditional tea service at bridal or baby showers!

Out of the (Cake) Box!

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:17:53 -0400

Dessert so often gets overlooked at events in lieu of all the other delicious menu offerings. At Benchmarc Events we like to look outside box, the cake box that is, and come up with fun and tasty desserts for our events. Here are some of the things we have done in the past that our guests have loved!

Set up a dessert bar with cotton candy, brownies, lemon tarts, crème brulée and more! There is something for every type of sweet tooth here.

Less is more. Let guests have lots of mini desserts (passed or stationary) to choose from!

Make dessert interactive. For one guest we set up a top-your-own cupcake bar. Fun for kids and adults!

Venue Spotlight: Harold Pratt House

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:36:52 -0400

It’s another beautiful day here in NYC, which makes us all the more grateful of our city’s charm. Speaking of charm, today we want to highlight one of our favorite classic NYC venues, the Harold Pratt House.

Located on the Upper East Side, the Harold Pratt House was built in 1919 as one of New York’s grand Park Avenue mansions. The gorgeous mansion is ideal for wedding ceremonies, receptions, celebrations or corporate meetings and dinners. There are a variety of rooms for all kinds of celebration: ceremony, reception, or seated dinner and dancing. We especially love working with the onsite staff who help with the planning process and day-of execution at events.

Below is just a sampling of the iconic NYC space, so you can see this beauty’s charm for yourself. Contact us today to start planning your next event at the historic Harold Pratt House.

Photo credits: Harold Pratt House

Playing with your Food: Creative Garnishes

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:39:46 -0400

Presentation and decor is such a crucial part of event planning. Of course the food itself has to be delicious, but creative touches and details to the presentation really make a party or event stand apart from the rest.

Today we bring you some creative ways to use food as part of the presentation for your next party! Or contact us to help you plan your next event and we’ll be sure to make it the most unique and memorable party possible!

Use hollowed-out citrus in place of ramekins

Use herbs as a decorative touch to passing trays. This also prevents food from sliding around.

Red cabbage adds a pop of color underneath our fish tacos

A banana leaf wrapped around a tray under passed sushi adds a festive touch

Get Tropical with a Pig Roast Dinner

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:33:33 -0400

Maybe it’s this awfully long winter we’ve been having, but recently we’ve been receiving several requests for Hawaiian themed parties. While we can’t fly you to the sunny beaches of Maui, we can bring the luau to NYC with our large format pig roast dinner at Ditch Plains UWS, Ditch Plains West Village or even your own home.

Served family style, our pig roast dinner is great for large groups of 10-20 people and comes with your own whole roasted suckling pig and a bevy of sides from corn bread & andouille sausage stuffing to cucumber salad. So while we’re all anxiously awaiting for the warm weather to arrive, contact us today to plan your own Hawaiian themed pig roast!

Benchmarc Events <3 NY

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 14:12:50 -0400

The sun is finally shining here in the city and it’s days like these that remind us why we love New York City so much. This past week we catered an event that was a tribute to our beloved city via a themed NYC menu.

On Tuesday, Benchmarc Events partnered with SITE (Society of Incentive Travel Executives) and Thompson Hotels to host a networking event at the penthouse in the Tribeca Smyth Hotel. We created a themed menu to correspond with each of Thompson Hotels’ NYC locations. Check out the menu and pictures below. Now get out there and enjoy our beautiful city!

MIDTOWN - Mini Pizza Margherita

TRIBECA - Shrimp Summer Rolls

LOWER EAST SIDE - Smoked Salmon with Potato Cake & Sour Cream

FINANCIAL DISTRICT - Baby Lamp Chops

SOHO - Mini Red Velvet Cupcakes

NEW YORK CITY - Mini Cheesecakes

An Eggcellent Recipe: Deviled Eggs!

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 16:33:15 -0400

Just in time for Easter, we bring you one of our favorite recipes: deviled eggs. Deviled eggs have been a staple on the Ditch Plains menu for years and are a much-requested appetizer at our events. You can spice them up with some fried jalapeños (pictured below) or add a seafood twist with fried shrimp or oysters (like at Ditch restaurants).

We hope you enjoy trying out our beloved recipe, whatever your celebrations may be this weekend! Of course, don’t forget to try the real thing at Ditch Plains or at your next event with us!

Deviled eggs

By Chef Marc Murphy

serves 4 to 6

12 eggs

1 1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup pickled jalapeños (chopped)

1/4 cup celery (chopped finely)

1 tablespoon roasted garlic (mashed)

2 tablespoons mustard

salt

black pepper

Put the eggs in a pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, remove from the heat and let sit covered for 10 minutes. Strain the eggs out of the water. Cover with cold water and ice. Let cool for 15 minutes.

Peel the eggs, cut in half horizontally and remove the yolks to a bowl. Mash the yolks with the mayonnaise, garlic & mustard. Fold in the celery and jalapeños and season to taste. Spoon a teaspoon of the mix into each egg white half.

Springtime Eats

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:14:00 -0400

It’s officially spring now, and even though it doesn’t feel like it outside, our catering menu just debuted some new offerings that are perfect for spring (whenever it decides to get here). We’ve added some great new lighter hors d’oeuvres like smoked salmon on corn cake with creme fraiche or curried shrimp with cilantro dipping sauce.

Check out these springy dishes and more in the pictures below, and of course, contact us to add these new apps to the menu at your next event!

Smoked Salmon on Corn Cakes with Creme Fraiche

Bacon-Wrapped Dates + Crudité Station

Curried Shrimp with Cilantro Dipping Sauce

Open-Faced Lamb + Feta Burgers

It's March Madness at Ditch Plains UWS

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 12:23:32 -0400

March is a hard month to get through. It’s a full 31 days with no holidays and the weather is dreadful (just take a look outside today). But the one thing that gets us through is March Madness!

Benchmarc Events is offering a special March Madness package for large parties at Ditch Plains Upper West Side. We’re offering game-time favorites, like wings and nachos, and of course, an unlimited beverage option as well.

So gather up your friends and head to Ditch Plains UWS to celebrate (or commiserate) your March Madness bracket! Contact us today for more information.

Switch Up St. Patty's with Sparking Wine

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 14:10:55 -0400

It’s finally Friday, which means it is high time for a cocktail, and Benchmarc Events has a great idea for whatever your plans may be this weekend: a sparkling wine station!

We recently catered an event at Oliver Peoples and the sparking wine station was a big hit. Lots of bubbly with different mixers to switch it up: guava puree, orange puree, peach puree, raspberry puree, Angostura bitters + sugar cubes. While maybe not as festive as Irish car bombs for your St. Patty’s day celebration this weekend, it’s a great alternative to mimosas and a refreshing option as we head into the spring and summer months! Cheers!

Kid (and Adult) Friendly Parties at Landmarc

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:51:00 -0400

This weekend Benchmarc Events hosted two children’s parties at Landmarc Time Warner Center. As we’ve said before, Landmarc TWC really is the ideal location for kids’ parties (or any party for that matter). With our private events space, there’s plenty of room for the kids to enjoy themselves and parents to unwind on the sidelines.

The birthday parties this weekend were particularly adorable with stunning cakes and delicious cake pops by Gina Marie Cake & Co. The kids were kept busy with entertainment from a magician/balloon artist, music from Little Maestros and crafts from The Arts & Crafts Studio.

There was a special children’s buffet to suit their tastes and a pasta action station to also satisfy the adults. And a birthday party wouldn’t be complete without an ice cream sundae station, suitable for all ages!

Harlem RBI 5th Annual A League of our Own

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 16:44:13 -0500

Last night we had the pleasure of returning to cater Harlem RBI’s 5th Annual A League of our Own event at Radio City Music Hall. Harlem RBI is an organization that provides inner-city youth with opportunities to play, learn and grow. They use the power of teams to coach, teach and inspire youth to recognize their potential and realize their dreams. The purpose of last night’s event was to celebrate the strength of girls and women at Harlem RBI and the DREAM Charter School. With a mission like that, the party has to be pretty spectacular, right? So what better a way to celebrate such a noble cause than with a wine and chocolate tasting?

In addition to the wine and chocolate, Benchmarc Events planned a great spread of passed hors d’oeuvres, including pigs in a pretzel, mini fish tacos, and meatball + mozzarella on brioche. We also provided some sweets on top of the other donated goods from other vendors, such as nutella profiteroles, mini whoopie pies, and chocolate salted caramel tart.

Check out the delicious treats in the pictures below!