The secret to making great wedding memories…
The Crowne Plaza has 265 rooms, and a gathering there can involve 700 people. But Chef Tim, who thrives on creative challenges, has no problem with that. Not content to cater a breakfast buffet with eggs, sausage and bacon, he and his staff will design a menu that might also include brisket, scrapple kabobs on beds of corned beef, cinnamon swirl French toast, and apple fritters—homemade, of course.
“We do the same thing with weddings,” says Poole. “We love putting together a sit-down dinner—because it’s memorable.” (Memorable, it turns out, is one of the hotelier’s favorite words.) The most important meal in a young couple’s life, he believes, should be nothing less than completely delicious, completely worth remembering.
“Would I have my wedding here? Absolutely!” one twenty-something said over dinner. “Wedding food is important.”
To make sure all goes well, the staff relies on a secret ingredient: The Wave.
Chef Tim explains The Wave, which basically describes how the whole wait-staff and kitchen staff work together, much as an ocean wave crests and recedes. They prepare, cook, serve, pour, clear, clean and serve up course after course, thanks to a well-ordered, shared system of responsibility.
“Every plate is exactly the same. Everybody has one thing they have to do. That’s The Wave,” he says.
The result? Happy diners, happy memories.
The wines have it…
Ice-bathing on display are white wines with enticing labels like:
•Barefoot’s Moscato (California) “Best Buy Wine Enthusiasts Sept. 2010”
•Martin Codax’s Albarino 2009 (Spain)
•Bonterra Vineyards’ Rousanne 2008, made with organic grapes (Mendocino County, CA), and
•Alamos’ Torrontes 2010 Catena (Argentina).
A Bonterra Zinfandel and other reds are also basking nearby, with such labels as:
•Apothic Red 2009 (California)
•Louis M. Martini’s Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (Napa Valley), a favorite amongst wine bloggers
•Montes’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (Chile)
All reasonable, tasty, well chosen for Prime Steak and Wine’s entrees. Other wines, beer, and a full menu of mixed drinks are also available.
BY MARIAN WOLBERS | PHOTO BY HEIDI REUTER
