Michael and Virginia, a very lovely couple from Manhattan hosted a Summer Brunch to celebrate their recent engagement. It was a beautiful day for the bride to be's family to meet the groom to be's family for the first time.
I was inspired by the beautiful garden and lawn at the home of Michael's aunt. It was the first sunny day I can remember in July. The summer had been so wet and rainy until that Saturday. We were all concerned about rain...but it turned out to be remarkably warm and sunny. In addition to the weather and the garden, I also drew inspiration from Michael's Puerto Rican heritage to come up with the following menu.
Roasted Breakfast Potatoes with Caramelized Onions, Rosemary and Thyme
Garden Vegetable Lasagna featuring Spinach, Broccoli, Red, Green and Yellow Peppers
Avocado Salad featuring Romaine and Green Leaf Lettuces tossed with Sliced Avocado, Purple Onions, Lime Juice, Cucumbers, Tomatoes and Balsamic Vinaigrette
Sliced Roast Beef
Wild Rice with Dried Papaya and Pineapple
Breakfast Burrito Bar featuring Scrambled Eggs, Sausage, Salsa, Shredded Cheddar-Jack Cheese and Bacon
Fresh Baked Butter Croissants
Fresh Baked Apple Strudel
Warm Cinnamon Rolls
Fresh Fruit Display featuring Cantaloupe, Grapes, Kiwi, Pineapple and Strawberry
Freshly Brewed Coffee
Orange Juice, Apple Juice and Peach Nectar Bellinis
The Slanted Juice Carafes are so elegant!
I carved the Cantaloupe to hold loose Grapes but also presented some on the vine.
We thought it would only add to the elegance of the celebration to display the Breakfast Burrito Bar toppings in over sized Martini Glasses. It really looked fabulous.
White Hydrangeas go with just about every type of event.
The guests had a wonderful time and most importantly, so did Virginia and Michael. They are a very loving couple, with a brilliant future awaiting them.
