Popular hors d'oeuvres are smoked duck on pecan crackers and cucumber cups with corn relish. The Ritz, which also caters outside the hotel, has been doing lots of French-Asian and other fusion cuisines. Clients love chef Laura Schwartz's jasmine rice cakes with smoked salmon and her plum-glazed lamb chops. This newcomer is earning lots of praise. Client favorites include blackened tuna on Oriental crisps and a praline twill basket with sorbet and berries.
Gage is a terrific chef who's easy to work with.
She's recommended for small parties and making food with homey touches, like buttermilk chocolate-fudge cake. No set minimums. Vailstar specializes in hors d'oeuvres and cocktail parties. Does New American, Asian, and Moroccan especially well. But if you need help without food, here are places to try.