La Venta Menu Tasting

This past week, I had a chance to do a tasting at the La Venta Inn. They do this once a quarter where they invited all the couples who are having a wedding at their sites. They have other locations other than La Venta. There is one beautiful home in Manhattan Beach, it is called the “Veranda”. Unfortunately, the back of the home is facing the Chevron refinery in El Segundo. I have a refinery background in my entire career so far, and really have no plan to include it in my wedding too!!!

I only found out the tasting by accident and fortunately it wasn’t full that day. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to have a tasting before selecting a menu for my own event. Tom couldn’t go with me due to work commitment. I asked my girlfriend, Barb, to go with me. She was jokingly wondered if other couples would think she and I are the wedding couple. After all, we are in California!

They have many stations set up within the property. I got to try most of them.

• Brunch station (for whoever is doing a morning wedding)
• Carving station
• Grill station
• White Glove station (for those who choose a sit down service, ME)
• Salad & Soup station
• Butler Served hors d'oeuvre

Then there is the cake sampling. They have 6 kinds of cake base, 4 kinds of buttercream frosting, and 8 kinds of fillings. Basically, you mix and match to see what you like. It was so much fun. I am so glad I got to do this. It certainly helps me to narrow down what I like and dislike.

There is also a chocolate fondue setup. It looks really yummy. But I don’t know if any guest would really be consuming it much since it is at the end of the meals and after the cake. And you know, in the area of food, I am normally quite generous in portion.

I haven’t completely decided on the final menu. The general idea is four Butler Served hors d'oeuvre at the cocktail. And the reception dinner consists of 4 courses (2 are main entrees), plus the wedding cake. No, it is not a split menu on one plate. It is two separate plates of main. I don’t think anyone will be leaving the wedding hungry!