Restaurant 3000

I found out about Restaurant 3000 while I was working on my June wedding in Menlo Park. This relatively new restaurant is a hidden gem just off the 280 freeway exit.

Restaurant entrance (from their website)

They can hold private events for around 50 guests for a seated meal or around 120 guests for a cocktail reception. It is available for private events during weekdays after 3:30 pm and on weekends. You can use the cafe area outside the restaurant for dancing or for a buffet setup. This place is perfect for a small wedding or a bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, baby shower or any celebration. There is even a small garden area outside where you can choose to have your event. They also offer off-site catering as well.

Cafe area

Restaurant from cafe area

Garden area

Now, for the food... The chef is classically-French-trained and uses his skills and local, seasonal produce to create fresh California cuisine. I had the opportunity to try their salads, main entrees and desserts. The salads were fresh as can be; the quinoa and roasted corn salad, black bean and avocado with a lemon dressing was to die for, the sweetness of the corn complemented the tangy-ness of the dressing so well.

The pièce de résistance though, in my opinion, is their desserts. I tried their crème brulee (can never resist a crème brulee), very creamy and delicious, and their Grand Marnier chocolate pot de crème, which was rich and decadent. They also make croissants in-house every morning and they are buttery and flaky, just like the ones I had in Paris!

Truffle fries

Grilled chicken with melted brie and pesto on a baguette

Crème brulee; Grand Marnier chocolate pot de crème with fresh-baked cookies

The owner, Joel, is very friendly and jovial, and will work with you on your event needs. Their pricing is very reasonable for that area and they offer customized food and beverages packages too. Go check them out, you will not be disappointed!

Catering Trend Alert!

Food trucks are getting more popular nowadays, there are even festivals in the Bay Area dedicated to them and street food. As a surprise for wedding guests, how about hiring a food truck to come by during dancing time and serve up some late-night snacks? Food trucks here offer a variety of delectables, it's not just your traditional tacos anymore, there are Korean tacos, Thai tacos, Vietnamese tacos, it's fusion cuisine, fancy some lemongrass chicken tacos or vegetarian tofu tacos? There are even sweet treats such as ice cream, cupcakes, creme brulee etc. It's amazing how vast the variety is. Do you know there's even a food truck offering organic dim sum?

As a foodie myself, I never pass up an opportunity to try what a food truck has to offer. One of my favorite food trucks is Sam's ChowderMobile, their lobster rolls are to die for!

Eat Real Festival 2010 in Oakland

Another of my favorite food trucks is RoliRoti, it is a gourmet rotisserie food truck and I can never pass up on their porchetta sandwiches, traditional Italian roasted pork served on a bread roll with greens, yum! They can actually cater your entire meal, from starters to desserts.

Roasted pork in action



The famous porchetta sandwich

Another famous food truck is Nom Nom, they originated from the Los Angeles area, offer Vietnamese cuisine and recently expanded to the Bay Area. They were also featured on the Food Networks' series "The Great Food Truck Race".

Nom Nom food truck at a corporate event in the Bay Area

A good place to try out different types of food trucks is to go to a food trucks gathering, there is one called Edgewood Eats in Palo Alto on Monday evenings (moving to Tuesday evenings starting October). They usually have 9 to 10 food trucks there so you can get to taste a variety of food.

Whether you want something rustic, gourmet, or organic, I am sure you will be able to find a food truck that satisfy your needs. Brides and grooms, you should also check with your wedding site to make sure they allow food trucks and if the space and terrain is suitable for the trucks.

Hope you find this information useful in your wedding planning!