Last month, I was lucky enough to be invited to Zilli Hospitality Group’s monthly tasting luncheon held at Coast on the lake shore. The lunch is put on for couples who will be having Zilli’s cater their upcoming wedding as it gives them a chance to sample the menu and pick their selections. My husband got to tag along as well and after our recent culinary class at the Public Market, we were on the look out for food trends of 2012. First off, if you have never been to Coast it is definitely worth the trip. The space is small enough to feel intimate but is definitely large enough to throw a rockin’ party. What I especially love is the floor plan which has space for high tops, tables and booths that are all set on different levels. The entire east wall is floor to ceiling windows giving guests spectacular views of Lake Michigan and the Art Museum. Comfy booths are set back into different nooks of the space and add a touch of privacy that was even appreciated during our lunch date. There is also a private outdoor patio space that can be used during the warmer months.
We were greeted at the door with two varieties of martini shooters. Never ones to pass up a cocktail we each sampled separate flavors and both were delicious. The blue lemonade flavor was a bit sweeter than the pomegranate but the colored sugar rim added a unique touch that made you want to sample one in every color. Matching a martini sipper to your wedding colors would be quite a charming way to start off any wedding reception cocktail hour. After indulging in our noontime cocktail, we were given a tour of the food. That’s right, there was really so much food that we needed a tour guide! I wasn’t sure how I was going to sample everything but somehow it didn’t seem to be too much of a problem.
We first made our way to the appetizer table where after comparing the amount of food selections to the size of our plates, I decided to limit my choices to just, um . . . well eight or so pieces. Zilli’s really can do everything from sushi to steak and all had a place on the appetizer table. One thing that stood out as tasty, unique and creative were the “Grapes with a Twist”. Put on a stick, the grapes were coated and displayed in a decrative bunch making them irresistible not to grab. More highlights were the buffalo chicken tartlets, lobster mac and cheese and my husband’s favorite, the bleu cheese tator tots. We got done eating all of that and remembered that we had only finished the appetizers!
At this point, if we had any chance of lasting through dessert we needed to make some tough decisions and the first cut we made was passing on the mashed potato martini bar. Served in martini glasses, you can top them with everything from chili to broccolli and cheese sauce. Although we didn’t have the fortitude to sample it, we could hear many pleased comments coming from some of the other diners as they sampled their spuds. Also, according to my culinary education last week from Chef Lisa, potatoes are going to be quite the thing in 2012.
We made our way to the main event station which featured both beef and chicken along with some rich and yummy roasted butternut squash ravioli. The boursin crusted chicken was cooked perfectly even though it was sitting in a warming tray and the breadcrumbs still had crunch in every bite. And remember those bleu cheese tator tots? They were back and paired with the tenderloin making for an enjoyable and creative combination.
We barely had room for dessert but managed to sample the creme brulee, chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate mousse. Both the brulee and mousse were creamy and rich and served in individual sized portions so we didn’t completely overdo it. Well, maybe we did but it was all delicious and worth every bite!
Seeing all of the food stations displayed throughout the room made me appreciate the space’s unique design. While you can of course host a plated meal, the stations work especially well as it encourages guests to explore and mingle among the many cozy sections of the space. All in all, Coast is not your typical reception hall but for anyone looking for a not so common layout, with delicious food and gorgeous views of the lake it is definitely worth considering.
