Below are some ideas for great buffets. These have proven to be the most popular offerings over the past two seasons. Of course, you will inject your own creativity and desires…and we will always be coming up with new, fresh ideas. Together we will design the menu that fits your event.
Grapes of Wrath buffets are always served by our accommodating staff, the tables are beautifully decorated with unique linens and greenery and we showcase the colors and flavors of our area.
We love buffets! Not only do your guests get to eat as much or little of every the numerous items on display, but they also get to interact with our staff; thus ingredients are immediately known, most important to vegetarians/vegans and those with allergies. Also, buffets are less expensive!
Served dinners, or a combination of pre-served salad/appetizers and buffets, are happily provided with any of the examples below. Please bring your ideas to our table.
We offer “Classic Menus With A Coastal Touch”.
These ideas can help you begin to design your own buffet!
Pictures of Our Food!
Offerings from the sea and the ranch (we recommend two of the three proteins):
- Garlic grilled sirloin with Cabernet Mushroom Demi Glace
- Tri-Tip of beef in a gentle jalapeno herb marinade with Salsa Fresca.
- Rosemary grilled leg of lamb with a tomato mint salsa
- gingered pork loin with chef’s special red onion marmalade or mango salsa.
- Filet Mignon or Prime Rib available for an additional cost*
- Orange marinated chicken breast with mango salsa
- Castroville chicken…seared and braised with artichokes, wine and herbs.
- Asian coconut chicken…delicate sauce of fresh coconut milk and almonds with a grilled pineapple salsa.
- Polyneisan chicken...our version of a sweet and sour chicken.
- Grilled Salmon with our signature dill cucumber relish, Mediterranean tapenade or sun dried tomato pesto.
- Mahi Mahi or sole served either Provencale, with capers, tomatoes and wine…or Asian, with ginger and fresh orange (Dana’s favorite!)...or French, with a Dijon-cream.
- This offering is fantastic with halibut which is often a bit more expensive.
- Your ideas here!
Our two most popular vegetarian options:
- Sesame-teriyaki braised tofu.
- Portabello mushroom stuffed with a bulghar pilaf.
- Your ideas here!
Grains, pastas and potatoes (we recommend one):
- Herbed and roasted new or fingerling potatoes.
- Layered roasted red pepper and asiago polenta with forest mushrooms.
- Three grain bulghar, basmati and wild rice pilaf.
- Wild rice salad with plumped cranberries, roasted nuts and scallions.
- Orzo pasta salad with colorful vegetables.
- Pad Thai noodles.
- Lemon minted quinoa salad with toasted almonds.
- Classic Au Gratin Potatoes.
- Your ideas here!
Offerings from the kitchen garden (we recommend two):
- Grilled vegetables to include zucchini, crookneck and sunburst squashes...red bells and more.
- Picante marinated mélange…sturdy vegetable salad with crisp green beans, cauliflower, broccoli and a roasted red pepper vinaigrette.
- Sugar snap pea salad with jicama and julienned carrots gently tossed with a sesame vinaigrette.
- Tomato Caprisi Salad with fresh mozzarella, basil and marinated red onions.
- Seasonal grilled asparagus with Portobello mushrooms
- Roasted fresh corn with tomatoes, cilantro and slivers of red onion.
- Your ideas here!
Gorgeous Salads (we recommend one):
- Our signature salad with organic mixed greens, candied walnuts, raspberries, gorgonzola and edible flowers. Served with honey raspberry vinaigrette.
- Classic Caesar Salad of baby romaine leaves, asiago cheese and garlic croutons.
- Simple chop salad of romaine, tomatoes and colorful garnishes.
- Greek Salad with kalamata olives, feta cheese, tomatoes, green and red onions and a piquant dressing.
- Your ideas here!
Rustic Breads:
- We generally bring three kinds of breads that have been finished in a hot oven just before your event. They are olive, roasted garlic and sourdough. The crusts are crispy and the insides moist.
- Perhaps you would prefer a soft wheat or a white Parker House roll or an crusty Italian dinner roll.
Coffee Service:
- We buy our coffee from Larry and Jackie Thurmond of Acme Coffee. His motto is “resist corporate coffee”! He roasts daily and produces a rich, quality coffee.
