Catering primer: tips and hints for your occasion

A small example of what Urban Deli can bring to your catered event.

Be it big or small, when you have your event catered you want it to go smoothly. That is part of the point, isn’t it? You want your guests to enjoy themselves, to enjoy good food, and free yourself to attend to all the other matters that need your attention to make sure it is all smooth sailing.

So we’ve put together a little catering primer. It provides both tips and suggestions on how to ensure your event is everything you want it to be. (You can download it here: Catering Tips and Hints.)

At the Urban Deli we offer a variety of catering options. They can range from standard “off the menu” caterings for various gatherings, such as boardrooms or open houses (to name two), or we can tailor to your individual needs for weddings, anniversaries, graduations, or intimate social gatherings with friends and family. We can help you with almost any event. Just give is a call at 652-3354 or send us an email.

At the Urban Deli we offer a variety of catering options and we can help you with almost any event.

We’re also easily adaptable and can help you design your memorable occasion.

Regardless of the type of function or the style, there are a few not-so-obvious points to consider when planning a catered event. They can help you achieve a successful catered occasion that meets, even exceeds, your expectations.

We have nine items to keep in mind:

  1. Manage Expectations
  2. Know Your Guests
  3. Know Your Guest Preferences
  4. Provide Menu Choices
  5. Incorporate Seasonal and Fresh Items
  6. Select a Menu that Fits the Event Schedule
  7. Anticipate Special Needs
  8. Allow for a Comfortable Room Setup
  9. Create Ethnic or Regional Menus

To learn more, download our Catering Tips and Hints (.pdf file).

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Lunch and dinner – Happy Valentine’s Day!

We have our Valentine’s dinner set for this evening, but today for lunch we’re featuring:

  • Pasta Dish … a creamy pesto pasta with sauteed portabello mushrooms, roasted reds and spinach; finished with fresh Parmesan cheese
  • Burger … Bacon and cheddar burger – comes with a side choice

Of course, this evening’s dinner is for the romantically inclined, or even those who just like an excuse to be with each other.

It’s our Valentine’s dinner. Have a look at the menu (.pdf format). We think you’ll like it! You can reserve by simply giving us a call at 652-3354.

And hat’s off to our friends at happinez! Via Uptown Saint John on Facebook, we found out the Ottawa Citizen has picked them as one of the 18 best places to kiss in Canada. (We knew something was going on in those quiet corners.)

Have a great day everyone and we hope to see you this evening!

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Our Valentine’s Day menu

Even when we’re busiest, we like to think there’s something romantic about the Deli. It’s in the way we approach food (always with love) and something in the decor.

And there’s something contagious about romance, so we’re hoping you’ll join us Monday evening for our Valentine’s Day dinner.

Here’s our menu (a .pdf file). It involves a couple of yummy appetizers, a choice of savoury entrees and a dessert to die for. (Can you say chocolate molten cake with chocolate drizzle, fresh whipped cream and a strawberry?)

Maybe you’ll be headed to see the Goo Goo Dolls and want something loving and romantic beforehand, or maybe you’re just planning on a starry-eyed evening with someone special. We’re pretty sure we’ll fit the bill.

So, please join us for our Valentine’s dinner. It will be our pleasure to serve you. We’re always big on romance!

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Dinner New Year’s Eve at Urban Deli

We wanted to throw out a quick reminder of our special New Year’s Eve dinner at Urban Deli with a special 7:00pm seating. Our chef for the evening is Fred Decker and it promises to be a wonderfully tasty time.

For a look at the New Year’s Eve dinner menu, just click this menu link (a .pdf file).

There are still seats left so if you’re inclined to join us, please call the Deli at 652-3354 and ask for Liz to reserve a seat.

We’re looking forward to a great evening and hope you can join us!

(Oh, and don’t forget about our New Year’s Day breakfast, 9:00am to 3:00pm. Bring your hangover!)

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A meatloaf sandwich story

Urban Deli's very popular "comfort food," the much-ordered meatloaf sandwich.

Our menu consists of an array of deli sandwiches and that can make it hard for new customers to choose. After working a few shifts at Urban Deli, I noticed how many of our customers were ordering and raving about our meatloaf sandwich.

One busy summer afternoon, my parents drove from St. Andrews and visited the deli for the first time. I spoiled them with samples of our homemade ice-tea and lemonade (the lemonade is only during our summer season) and I encouraged them to order as much as possible.

My dad wanted to try our schnitzel and my mom right away asked for the meatloaf sandwich. To tell you the truth, I underestimated this deli delight. When her order arrived she made me taste a bite and with one forkful, I was hooked.

From then on I have been recommending this hearty sandwich to many of our customers. It is the comfort food to beat all comfort foods. It consists of a home-style meatloaf with an Urban Deli flare and is topped with melted aged-white cheddar cheese and sundried tomatoes. We serve it with sourdough bread that has been grilled and your choice of side.

The meatloaf sandwich guys: Carl, Ron, Craig and Doug.

Shortly after tasting the sandwich, I had a group of customers that came in for lunch during their break. They told me it was their first time and asked me for my recommendation. From that day on, they have been faithful regulars to Urban Deli … and the meatloaf sandwich as well.

Carl, Ron and Craig were in again last Friday and guess what? They ordered their usual (meatloaf with a side of deli frites) and brought a new face with them, Doug. I had to laugh because every time the guys come in they always order the same thing and they convinced Doug to do the same.

Welcome Doug! And thanks to all our Urban Deli regulars.

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Catering tips and hints

A small example of what Urban Deli can bring to your catered event.

Be it big or small, when you have your event catered you want it to go smoothly. That is part of the point, isn’t it? You want your guests to enjoy themselves, to enjoy good food, and free yourself to attend to all the other matters that need your attention to make sure it is all smooth sailing.

So we’ve put together a little catering primer. It provides both tips and suggestions on how to ensure your event is everything you want it to be. (You can download it here: Catering Tips and Hints.)

At the Urban Deli we offer a variety of catering options. They can range from standard “off the menu” caterings for various gatherings, such as boardrooms or open houses (to name two), or we can tailor to your individual needs for weddings, anniversaries, graduations, or intimate social gatherings with friends and family. We can help you with almost any event. Just give is a call at 652-3354 or send us an email.

At the Urban Deli we offer a variety of catering options and we can help you with almost any event.

We’re also easily adaptable and can help you design your memorable occasion.

Regardless of the type of function or the style, there are a few not-so-obvious points to consider when planning a catered event. They can help you achieve a successful catered occasion that meets, even exceeds, your expectations.

We have nine items to keep in mind:

  • Manage Expectations
  • Know Your Guests
  • Know Your Guest Preferences
  • Provide Menu Choices
  • Incorporate Seasonal and Fresh Items
  • Select a Menu that Fits the Event Schedule
  • Anticipate Special Needs
  • Allow for a Comfortable Room Setup
  • Create Ethnic or Regional Menus

To learn more, download our Catering Tips and Hints (.pdf file).

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A busy weekend for us and we love it

Our weekend is pretty full with good “stuff.” It starts with tomorrow night as we host local photograph Beaver Smith and his photos.

We had a pretty interesting back and forth (an interview) with Beaver earlier in the week about photography and Saint John.

Then on Sunday afternoon, we’ve got Bob McVicar (Chef Bob) coming in to present a cooking class with the subject being Creole jambalaya. When we spoke to Bob the other day, he was sounding pretty pumped about it — as are we!

In both cases, tickets are limited but you can get yours simply by calling us here at the Urban Deli at 652.3354 or, put another way, 652.DELI.

Of course, you can also join us tomorrow morning for our regular Urban Deli breakfast (9:00 am to noon).

That should cover all the bases … Oh yes, one last thing. For those who have signed up to our newsletter, we are giving away tickets from the Saint John Theatre Company to their November 25th show: The Importance of Being Earnest. If you haven’t signed up yet, you still can subscribe and have a chance at winning. Just visit our newsletter page and subscribe.

Now it’s back to work and getting ready for the weekend …

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