It finally feels like summer outside, which means beach season is on the brain. Today, we’ve got a healthy and creative idea for your next party that will keep your guests (and your waistline) happy…Make-your-own trail mix bar! This is a delicious and interactive way to get your guests involved and mingling. Since you can customize your trail mix however you like, it’s sure to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. 

We did this DIY trail mix bar last week for Betaday at The Foundry. Mix ingredients included marcona almonds, pretzels, chocolate, cranberries, golden raisins, granola, mixed nuts, and sunflower seeds; but you could substitute for whatever nuts, dried fruits, or snacks you like. The protein-rich trail mix was just what the attendees needed to get them through a day full of meetings!

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!

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 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. 

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

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!

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!

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!   

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

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