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Mrs. Taffy, Ann Arbor Age and Occupation: 28, Color and Materials Designer Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Automotive Designer Engagement Date: May 9, 2008 Wedding Date: May 2009 Blogging Since: September 14, 2008 Venue: University of Michigan Union About Me: I’m a girl who is crazy about Mr. Taffy, sewing, dancing, almost all types of sweets, and our cute pet canaries. I dislike touching fuzzy fabric of any kind, eating somewhat squishy food, and Michigan winters. Mr. Taffy and I are having a blast planning our Ann Arbor wedding, and cannot wait to share our day with friends and family.
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Mr. Taffy and I had really been looking forward to our tasting. Our caterers only hold one tasting per year! The tasting date was cutting it quite close to the day we needed to give our entree options for our invitation reply card, so we were hoping to make a final decision at the tasting, or directly afterward. After all, we had been combing over the menu for months, crunching numbers and discussing the different entree choices! We had a menu in our minds, but wanted to try everything to make sure it was as tasty as it sounded.

I wish I could say that it was that easy, but this tasting was full of surprises, and quite frankly, some disappointments.

At least we had another couple to cope with! Jessie516 and her fiance, who are getting married the same month as we are, were also at the tasting. :)

A Tasting Full of Twists and Turns :  wedding ann arbor food Jessies

The four of us have been really sick with the sinus infection / bronchitis plague going around Ann Arbor, and joked about how much we would actually taste due to our symptoms. ;)

The main twist of the afternoon was the menu given to us as we arrived. There were only about three entree choices listed that were on the menu that we had been reviewing at home! Everything else was completely new. Also, they had everything listed as packages, including different options with the entrees, ranging from fruit & cheese platters, to champagne toasts, to hors d’oeuvres, and included cake cutting fees and other extras—things that we had the prices for, but individually. So basically, it seemed at a glance that the entrees were about triple the price over the menu we were given when we booked. Which meant that if you took a look around the room, there were a lot of couples completely freaking out, including us!

As we entered the main room, servers passed hors d’oeuvres. We tried Rosemary, Fig & Chevre Bouchees, Shrimp Chopsticks, and Caprese Focaccia Canapes. All were delicious! I was only able to get a photograph of the caprese canape.

A Tasting Full of Twists and Turns :  wedding ann arbor food Caprese

Yum! There was also a fruit, cheese and vegetable display to sample.

A Tasting Full of Twists and Turns :  wedding ann arbor food Fruitan

And punch, of course! ;)

A Tasting Full of Twists and Turns :  wedding ann arbor food Kristen

We lined up to start tasting the entrees. It was a long buffet that had different menu options. They did not have any accompaniments for us to try, but they did have a plate on display with recommended accompaniments, so you could get the full picture. They looked a little off, as they had been sitting out, but were helpful to see. I’ll spare you all the options, but here were some choices:

A Tasting Full of Twists and Turns :  wedding ann arbor food Beefent

Grilled Tenderloin Filet with garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus.

A Tasting Full of Twists and Turns :  wedding ann arbor food Ravioli

Mozzarella & Roasted Red Pepper Ravioli with roasted garlic Parmesan cream sauce served with roasted seasonal vegetables.

Our favorites, which looked much better fresh than on the display plates!

A Tasting Full of Twists and Turns :  wedding ann arbor food Mushroo

Mr. Taffy loved the Marinated Portobello Mushroom shown above with grilled asparagus, red peppers, roasted corn, leeks, sun dried tomatoes and fresh herbs, served on a bed of quinoa and lentils drizzled with chive oil. I am really scared of eating mushrooms whole thanks to my texture issues, so I wasn’t into it. My favorite entree was the Wild Mushroom Sacchetti, shown below. A blend of wild porcini and crimini mushrooms (chopped small enough not to freak out my texture issues) with ricotta, mozzarella and fontina cheeses, in garlic and thyme filled egg pasta purses served with a roasted garlic and sherry cream sauce. It was the best entree in my opinion, hands down! It doesn’t look too great in this picture though. You will have to trust me. ;)

A Tasting Full of Twists and Turns :  wedding ann arbor food Mushroo01

Mr. Taffy and I are pescatarians, but I was willing to try all of the meat. To my surprise, Mr, Taffy did the same! Our plates were crowded with all of the entree choices from the buffet.

My plate:

A Tasting Full of Twists and Turns :  wedding ann arbor food Myplate

The most red meat that I have seen in a long time!

His plate:

A Tasting Full of Twists and Turns :  wedding ann arbor food Hisplat

Mainly fish and veggie options, but he did try all of the red meat and chicken on our plates.

Later in the event, we spotted the coordinator and expressed our concerns about the new menu items and pricing. He assured us that the old menu had not changed, either by entree choice or price. They were simply trying new menu choices and putting packages together as a new strategy. That’s great, but it would have been helpful to know that from the start! They could have printed it as a note on the newer menu. A lot of the couples were really getting anxious about the new menu items and prices. So we basically worried for an hour for no reason.

Well, kind of… we still didn’t know what the non-package prices were for the new menu entrees and hors d’oeuvres. Some we loved, and other not so much. The fish, for example. We didn’t care for the fish options offered at the tasting, but think the Maple Soy Salmon on the original menu sounded great. Since we didn’t get to taste it, we have no idea whether we should go for it. So we were still without a menu, and frustrated, especially since we had to pay a decent amount for the tasting.

Jessie516 and I were relieved to hear that the pricing hadn’t changed!

A Tasting Full of Twists and Turns :  wedding ann arbor food Kristen01

I snuck in a picture with Mr. Taffy before we left.

A Tasting Full of Twists and Turns :  wedding ann arbor food Couple

I am hoping that we can decide on our menu soon!

Did you have any surprises at your tasting?

Tags: ann arbor, food |
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25 Responses to “A Tasting Full of Twists and Turns”

1 2 

1.
grumpybear722
Member
grumpybear722 (message)  553 posts, Busy bee

WOW! One tasting per year! That sounds like a bad game plan to me! :(
Our only surprise was that 2 extra people came along! It wasn’t a biggie though… it all workd out! :)

 
2.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Bruschetta (message)  5,565 posts, Bee Keeper

That caprese canape looks delish — and like it could be my cousin! ;-)

I hope you’re feeling better soon! I was suffering from bronchitis, and now, three weeks later, I STILL can’t stop coughing! :-(

 
3.
LatteLove
Hostess
LatteLove (message)  5,587 posts, Bee Keeper

ok, I’m not a foodie. And I will eat anything that’s put in front of me.
what exactly is a “pescatarian?”

 
4.
Mrs. DG
Hostess
Mrs. DG (message)  8,491 posts, Bee Keeper

My tasting was also not very helpful. They didn’t make available most of the menu options and seemed to be pushing some of the higher end selections.

In the end I had to make some educated guesses… made worse by the fact that fiance couldn’t come with me. I hope our menu turns out ok.

@LL pescatarian is someone who doesn’t eat meat, but eats fish.

 
5.
Member Icon
Member
boothbride (message)  55 posts, Worker bee

Hey Miss Taffy! I’ve had the Maple Soy Salmon as an appetizer before at the League (they serve it like a salmon bite on a stick, I think). Anyways, it was delicious! Not sure if the Union will have the same recipe–but I imagine they would?
You should tell Ken you want to try that salmon!

 
6.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Perfume (message)  2,253 posts, Buzzing bee

Yum!! That’s a pretty cool swan carved into the melon!

 
7.
andreaandchinelo
Member
andreaandchinelo (message)  535 posts, Busy bee

I’m loving the portabello mushroom option!!! I’ve been trying to work with my caterer to giver her a decent vegan option (the one’s she came up with won’t work) and this sounds great! btw…i’m a vegan, but what’s a pescatarian?

 
8.
Mrs. Cupcake
Bee
Mrs. Cupcake (message)  1,456 posts, Bumble bee

I love your sweater!!!! :-)

 
9.
MightySapphire
Hostess
MightySapphire (message)  7,632 posts, Bee Keeper

I’ll only be in town for a week, so I need to schedule my tasting PRONTO! LOL

I hope they haven’t changed the menu I’ll be so mad!

 
10.
Guest Icon
Guest
lou

Wow, I would be seriously annoyed if I were you - one tasting per year, with loads of other couples, and you don’t even get to taste what you want to? That sucks.

We were so lucky with our tasting - we got to pick two options for each course to try, and they laid out a little table for two in the middle of our venue room. Was very strange being in the middle of an empty room, but quite exciting to imagine that the next time we’ll be there it will be full of our wedding guests!

 
11.
domesticandfabulous
Member
domesticandfabulous (message)  74 posts, Worker bee

Mmmm, I want the ravioli… like now :-)

 
12.
Tstew
Member
Tstew (message)  109 posts, Blushing bee

OMG… This just happened to me and one of my friends. The venue we chose only does one tasting a year. We picked our selections prior and we both have totally changed our menus. There were several disappointments and the didn’t give us all the choices. But, I did find somethings that I would be happy with. Your food looks great….

 
13.
frenchbulldog
Bee
frenchbulldog (message)  7,730 posts, Bee Keeper

That is incredibly frustrating, I am so sorry. I also can’t believe you had to pay for your tasting, ours is included… is this normal?
P.S. I love your sweater :)

 
14.
Jessie516
Hostess
Jessie516 (message)  5,480 posts, Bee Keeper

I have been looking forward to you blogging about the tasting! We were a little disappointed with the choices, too. Because of budget concerns, we were hoping to like one of the (cheaper) chicken dishes more than we did. I’m not excited about it, but we may have to choose a chicken dish that we did not get to taste. Also, for the record, our favorite was the Wild Mushroom Sacchetti as well. We’re definitely doing that one!

 
15.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Quiche (message)  3,157 posts, Sugar bee

Everything looks great! The mushroom dish that you liked looks (& sounds!) yummmmmy.

No tasting for us. EEK! We’ll just have to trust. Well, we have eaten there before, just not what we are serving…

 
16.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Hot Cocoa (message)  2,077 posts, Buzzing bee

I can’t believe you had to pay for the tasting, and that they still didn’t provide you with the entrees you were thinking of. Grrr. What’s the point? I’m mad at them for you.

 
17.
shaver2bee
Member
shaver2bee (message)  68 posts, Worker bee

This makes me love my caterer even more. She came to my house and cooked in my kitchen for free before we even booked her! Nothing very fancy, but perfect for my casual backyard reception.

I think of eveything you have… I like the fruit tower best.

 
18.
LzzNYC
Member
LzzNYC (message)  882 posts, Busy bee

oooooo looks so good!!!! haven’t gone to my tasting yet but i hope it’s excellent!

 
19.
Miss Deviled Egg
Bee
Miss Deviled Egg (message)  1,250 posts, Bumble bee

everything looks yummy! We aren’t having a tasting, but I’ve been to weddings catered by our caterer before, so I’m not concerned. I know it will taste good.

 
20.
Guest Icon
Guest
lou

You had to PAY? Ok, now I’m even more annoyed on your behalf.

 
1 2 

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Mrs. Taffy
Mrs. Taffy

Mrs. Taffy, Ann Arbor Age and Occupation: 28, Color and Materials Designer Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Automotive Designer Engagement Date: May 9, 2008 Wedding Date: May 2009 Blogging Since: September 14, 2008 Venue: University of Michigan Union About Me: I’m a girl who is crazy about Mr. Taffy, sewing, dancing, almost all types of sweets, and our cute pet canaries. I dislike touching fuzzy fabric of any kind, eating somewhat squishy food, and Michigan winters. Mr. Taffy and I are having a blast planning our Ann Arbor wedding, and cannot wait to share our day with friends and family.

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