Black Pelican

rglasgow

Hey all, So we are seriously considering booking Black Pelican for our reception and I love their food however I was wondering if anyone had used them and how the alcohol was worked out with them.  I have asked numerous times for a price per person on alcohol and was told it was based on the types I wanted, so I said top shelf and 3 types of beer and a red and a white wine, and yet again got a round about answer with a price list of individual bottles of alcohol.. I am concerned bc I am not a caterer and I do not know how much alcohol is generally consumed at a weeding and don't want to book them to find out its' thousands of dollars more!  Please let me know how you decided on this with them.  Thanks!

keb2482

Hi!  How many guests do you have?  We have 75 and I know we definitely overspent on alcohol.  We've already spent more than $1000 though and thats with buying it all ourselves, which is WAY cheaper.  I've never seen a caterer go cheaper on the alcohol (with a full bar - and especially top shelf) than $20-30/person for the alcohol only.  If your venue will allow you to buy your own alcohol, I know Black Pelican will.  Its so much cheaper!  There are calculators online to figure out how much to buy.  I know Black Pelican will do only the bar glasses, mixers, and fruit, and supply the bartender if you want them to.  We were going to go that route with them but we decided on Ortega'z instead.  good luck!

rglasgow

hmm we invited 130 but are expecting around 70..  I just want to know why they won't tell me how much per person every other caterer I spoke with has its' just frustrating..  I have to compare the price list they gave me and how much it costs up here in Jersey and see which is better.  How is Ortega'z price wise with food? I liked their stuff at the expo and emailed them shortly after but never got a response..

keb2482

Oh wow, I'm surprised Lisa never responded.  Most vendors are good with contact on new clients   LOL.  Well, maybe its tacky but here's our rundown:

2 passed appetizers: shrimp cerviche in martini glasses (mini) and pork taquitos (amazing!)

Dueling Fajita stations: two stations where they do "made to order" shrimp, chicken, and steak fajitas with roasted red peppers and  carmelized onions (or not, its MTO)

Fajita toppings station: lettuce, tomatoes, onions, salsa, sour cream, cilantro, limes, and hot sauces, Black beans and rice, chipotle lime tossed salad with three dressings on side

Roasted Chicken Southwestern Lasagna: this is AMAZING.  Tortillas instead of noodles, pulled chicken, black beans, corn, cheese.  Just perfect flavored!

also bar setups: coke, dc, 7-up, tonic, soda water, oj and other juices, margarita mix, lemons, limes cherries. Good plastics for all glasses

Price includes: buffet tables, linens for buffet tables, linen napkins, plates, silverware (they only do napkins and silverware for free if you are at 108 Budleigh though I think - they are right next door).

Guest count: 75
Price/person: $48.30.  Includes ALL taxes and gratuity.  Additionally we are paying $50 for coffee behind the bar, two bartenders for six hours and two fajita station chefs: $600.

We came in at a total of $4275 for 75.  We bought all the alcohol ourselves, separately.

Sorry if its tacky again, but thats where we are at.  I'm not sure what their pricing is for more "traditional" menus, but they seemed very easy to work with on budget.

rglasgow

Oh that's really good for price I think!  I am going to attempt to get in touch again, if not i"m most likely sticking with Black Pelican since it's the fiance's favorite!  And I don't think it's tacky you posting it and if anyone does too bad! lol  Thanks for the info!

TabithaD51411

We are using Black Pelican this June, and our price was about $28/person, and we are getting our own alcohol. We are doing the BBQ menu since WE LOVE SOUTHERN comfort food, and since we have so many picky eaters.

The BBQ comes with:

3 Passed  Hors d'oeuvres fruit, veggie and cheese, shrimp cocktail, and Mozzarella stuffed risotto rounds

A salad, Cornbread, 2 Entrees which include Carolina Pulled Pork and BBQ chicken,  cole slaw, deviled eggs or corn on the cob,  roasted potatoes or potato salad, green beans or baked beans, macaroni salad, pasta salad or Mac n Cheese