You’re in the heart of your wedding plans, and you’ve finally made it to one of the more fun parts… menu tasting! As you sample everything from lobster bisque to chocolate truffles, you think to brush past the decisions on wine for the time being. After all, in comparison to the more complicated decisions like periwinkle versus wisteria, wine is an easy decision. White goes with the chicken and fish and red goes with beef right? Actually wine has taken such a predominant place in so many events that taking the time to learn more about the nuances of wine pairings can really enhance your event.

Wine Castle on the Upper East Side is working with Quintessential Wines on Saturday November 13th to host a wine tasting that will give any couple a great starting point to learning more about wines and pairings. This weekend’s tasting will highlight wines from across Australia, Italy, South Africa and California. We’ve all seen the small tables set up in markets conducting wine tastings to sell their product. What sets this event apart is that Chef Al De Winter will be preparing dishes to compliment each wine. Not to be remiss, if you do choose to continue the tasting at home there will be a 15% discount on cases purchased that evening. If you love this event, watch for next week’s blog on creative wine pairings for your event.

Wine Castle is located at 1650 3rd Avenue with tastings to be held from 3pm – 8pm.

Being an event planner, you come across many different clients with various needs. Sometimes clients request an elegant, private event space to have an intimate affair but sometimes clients request a bar/restaurant where their guests can enjoy a loud, exciting and vivacious atmosphere.  This week’s spotlight is a place where you can achieve just that.

Stout is a popular casual pub located at 133 West 33^rd Street.  The stone walls and dark hard-wood floors gives this beer emporium a cozy feel and friendly atmosphere. With three floors to choose from, there is plenty of space for you to enjoy their 20 beers on tap and the 125 bottled beers.  The ‘stout’ beers are categorized by dry, cream, imperial, oatmeal, and sweet and the bottled beer is categorized by country and the detailed description.  With Stout’s thorough beer menu, you’ll be able to choose the perfect beer to satisfy your thirst.

Along with classic bar food (such as wings, burgers, and pizza), Stout offers a Raw Bar that includes shrimp cocktail, little neck claims, and a shellfish sampler. Stout also offers some classic Irish dishes that include fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, chicken pot pie, and a traditional Irish breakfast.  You can check out Stout’s full food and drink menu at http://www.stoutnyc.com/index.html.

If you are not in the mood to mingle with strangers, Stout has private party packages for groups of 10 to 400 hundred people.  To experience a Penta Event at Stout, be sure to join us at the Smart Transition Group’s 2^nd Annual Casino Night on November 16, 2010.  Tickets are $80 and all proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House.  For more information, visit www.smarttransitiongroup.com.

If you have question about the Casino Night or you want your next event planned at Stout please contact Casey Gallagher at cgallagher@pentaevents.com.

As you may have noticed, on Friday afternoon you can rely on me to tell you about a fun and exciting event going on during the coming weekend that you won’t want to miss.   Granted, that’s what you’ll find here, but this week there is the added bonus that if you miss out you’ll have another chance next week!

Tribeca Grand Hotel is reviving their Sunday night screenings of the hottest new TV show.  This time around they are featuring HBO’s Boardwalk Empire.  I am in love with these screenings because they really know how to carry out a theme.  The night begins with a 1920’s cocktail hour before heading to the private Grand screening room.  As you enjoy the show, you are served up a whiskey sour in a coffee mug.  Beforehand, many will scour thrift shops for the perfect vintage look.  If you really want to make a night of it, go early so you can enjoy their three course prix fixe menu for only $22.

Tribeca Grand Hotel is located at 2 Avenue of the Americas.  Screening is set to run from 9pm to 11pm.

Flowers can brighten up someone’s day, say “Thank you,” “I Love You,” or, my personal favorite, “I’m Sorry.”  They serve as the perfect decoration for birthdays, parties, special events or weddings. Choosing the right floral arrangement can be difficult, especially when you are not sure what flower is perfect for what season. Below are some great tips on what floral selections to choose during the upcoming fall and winter seasons.

Fall Floral Selections: Colors for fall are bright, bold and rich. Popular colors are amber, gold, burnt orange, rust, mustard yellow, sage green, chocolate brown, copper and burgundy. Adding white or cream accents can lighten up the floral arrangements for daytime events, weddings or ‘get well soon’ gifts. Add some flavor to a fall floral arrangements by incorporating other natural elements, such as wheat stalks, vines, fruits and colored leaves. Golden Rain trees, Red Swamp maples, sweet gums, crape myrtles, dogwoods, Tulip trees, and Shumard oaks are perfect options for fall décor.  My personal favorite fall flowers are burnt orange roses and sunflowers.

Winter Floral Selections: Using an arrangement of all white flowers is typical for winter floral selections. Although white can seem boring, beautiful flowers come in many shades of white.  Amaryllises, Calla lilies, Orchid tulips and Anemones are some examples of breathtaking white flowers. Because of the Christmas Holiday, reds are very popular for winter floral selections. Red winter flowers include roses, anemone, amaryllis, Gerbera daisies, Calla lilies, poinsettias and cymbidiums. Using blue in your floral arrangement can add to the winter wonderland feel. Winter flowers available in blue tones are hydrangeas, scabisoas, salvias, anemones, frangipanis, hortesias and ceanthous. Adding green foliage to the floral arrangements will add depth to the display and some pizzazz.  Foliage to use in your arrangement are Pine springs, Flat cedar, Lemon leaves, Magnolia leaves, pittosporums, winterberries and hypericums. My favorite winter flowers would be chrysanthemums and Calla lilies.

If you would like to send me flowers my address is….just kidding.  For more floral tips or any other event planning questions contact Casey Gallagher at cgallagher@pentaevents.com.

Here at Penta Events, we are always researching interesting venues for our clients. This week Penta was invited to an Open House at Studio Square this Thursday, November 4, 2010.  We only thought it was appropriate to make Studio Square this week’s Venue Spotlight.

Studio Square (located in Long Island City at 35-11 37^th Street) has an interesting history. The building was first a five-floor light manufacturing facility in 1920 and then an ammunition factory during WWII. After the war, the space was transformed into a metal workshop for the steel industry. In the 1970s, the building became a movie prop warehouse/storage facility for the entertainment industry until 2009.  After a multi-million dollar renovation, Studio Square now is a premiere event/entertainment destination in New York City.

Studio Square has a stunning view of the Manhattan skyline, an attentive staff, the ability to do a large number of events and, what they are most notoriously know for, a spectacular Beer Garden.  With 16 Beers, 2 Hard Ciders, Mojitos, Sangria, and Hard Lemonade all on tap, the Beer Garden is sure to please all bar patrons.  Their food selection has options that please all palates with a sushi menu, a classic German menu, and American late night fare.  Be sure to check out more details about Studio Square on their website, http://studiosquarenyc.com/.

To book your next event at Studio Square contact Casey Gallagher at cgallagher@pentaevents.com for a free consultation.