Special Events
Poppies and Posies Does it Again!
03-29-12
Event: Poppies & Posies Dinner Party
Where: The Foundry
When: March 22, 2012
Photos by: Jen Huang
Post by: Jose
Written by: Sierra & Juliet @
Poppies and Posies
OK, Last year, Poppies and Posies hosted quite the dinner party, and last Thursday they came back and did it again! Not only did we have the same kick-ass players--Michael Stuart NY, Jen Huang Photography, and Bryn Chernoff from Paperfinger, but we had returning guests and newbies as well. Allison, Jules, and I couldn’t have imagined them topping last year, but they took this whole shindig to a whole other level, including a 10 course meal that was an ‘ode to salt’! WHUT?! Who does that? Apparently Michael Stuart does!
Special guests included:
Shira Nevada - editor from Martha Stewart
David Bowen - owner of Bowen & Company
Lauren Sozmen - of Loli Events
Heather Lee - editor of Brides Magazine
Lea Brumage - Marcy Blum
Eyal Tessler - In Any Event
Tzo Ai Ang - Ang Weddings & Events
Here’s what Sierra & Juliet from Poppies and Posies had to say about the event…
The flowers we're designed in loose, garden styled arrangements using local spirea, hellebores, garden roses, parrot tulips, and sweetpea. Deep burgundy clematis vine peppered the arrangements and added just the slightest pop of color to an otherwise delicate palette.
All of the paper goods were, of course, designed by the fabulous Paperfinger. We sourced zinc place cards for her to inscribe each guest's name on, which also served as a fun favor at the end of the evening.
Lastly, one of our favorite elements were the gift boxes that we sent guests home with at the end of the evening. Inside each box was a collection of elements pulled together by the various vendors who participated. Paperfinger created custom stamps for each person and we sourced small swing top jars and filled them with Bolivian pink salt for guests use in their own culinary creations. Butter + Love gave each attendee a package of their sea salt, rosemary, and lavender shortbread (which is to die for btw) and shell co gave petit fours adorned with beautiful edible violas. The package was tied with bakers twine and a custom calligraphy tag.
MICHAEL STUART’S MENU:
Special Cocktail
Bombay Drop
Vodka, fresh lemon juice, cumin seeds, fresh
cilantro, sugar, kale namak salt, mint leaves
First Course
Cabin Cove Oyster
Mandarin Cucumber Mignonette
Salt - Shinkai Deep Sea Salt
Second Course
Wild Potagonean Red Shrimp Taco
mango salsa, avocado
Salt- Kilauea Onyx Sea Salt
Third Course
Marine Sea Scallop Ceviche
Lime, red Onion, Jalapeño Curl
Salt - Bolivian Rose, Andes Mountain Salt
Blanched Spring Peas
Safron Créme Fraiche
Salt - Cyprus Hardwood
Fifth Course
Watermelon & Buratta
Mache, Cracked Pepper
Salt - Halen Món
Sixth Course
Smashed Fingerling Potato
Velvet Piopini Mushroom, Fried Qual Egg
Salt - Prussian Blue Sea Salt
Seventh Course
Braised & Grilled Pork Belly
White Bean Ragout, Fried Brussels Sprout
Salt - Maine Cherry Wood Smoked Sea Salt
Eighth Course
Flatiron Steak
Peppercorn Bordelaise, Fried Buttermilk Onion
Salt - The Meadows Pinot Noir Salt
Ninth Course
Blood Orange Panna Cotta
Blood Orange Reduction
Salt - Taha’a Vanilla Salt
Tenth Course
Roasted Nectarines
Sweet Mascarpone
Salt - Salish Alder Smoked Sea Salt
All photos by Jen Huang! More to come - stay tuned!
Happy 106th Birthday!!
03-26-12
The Foundry - a 19th Century building where originally fine varnishes were manufactured before it housed The Albra Metal Foundry. Their logo is still visible on the corner of the building at 9th Street and 43rd Avenue. By 1906, it was one of several steel foundries in the Long Island City area that catered to the needs of New York City's riverfront manufacturers.
By the 1970's The Foundry was essentially an abandoned space, housing defunct vehicles and a mountain of debris. In 1980 the Du Val family purchased the property. The family restored and renovated the space to reflect its original industrial character, and began hosting events in 2001. It is the only foundry in the area still standing today.
Marcey Brownstein & Friends
03-13-12
Event: A Friends & Family Dinner
Where: The Foundry
When: March 8th, 2012
Photos by: Evan Felts
Article by: Jose
What can we say? When Leslie from Marcey Brownstein Catering & Events tells us she wants to throw something special at The Foundry, we're not one to turn her down. Her mission was to create an intimate dinner with a few folks in the industry, who will not only be fun and add good energy to the soiree, but folks who can bring someone special--whether it's their husband, wife, significant other, or BFF. The night turned out to be a big hit!
Guests included, Katie and Gail from Broadway Famous Party Rental who provided us with their brand new barn tables and chairs! The table's metal base topped with a thick barn wood (that’s interchangeable) with Bentwood cross back weathered oak chairs was the perfect compliment to The Foundry's industrial look.
photo by Evan Felts
Jessie from Rountree Flowers did not short on awe & decor for the evening! She provided the table with a collection of white lanterns and texturized ceramic containers, each holding flowers in shades of pink ranging from magenta to peachy pink to pale pink. The tall vases held single magnolia branches. In the low arrangements were sweet pea, garden roses, parrot tulips, frittilaria, peonies and touches of hellebores (one of Jessie’s favorite flowers). The runner was a natural linen with gold thread running through it.
photo by Evan Felts
photo by Evan Felts
For the menu, we had a six course meal along with wine pairings!
Amuse Bouche
Herbed Butter with Spring Radish
Chilled Cucumber and Tarragon Consomme, Tabasco Gel
Duck Liver Mousse, Blood Orange Gel
Wine pairing - Chevalier Fabre Brut Champagne
photo by Evan Felts
First Course
Hamachi Crudo, Spiced Mango Salad, Wasabi Tobiko, Shisho Puruee,
Passionfruit and Cara Cara Gel
Wine pairing - Chateau Masburel Montravel 2001
Second Course
Duo of Duck: Braised Thigh Stuffed with Rillette and Roasted Magret
Served with Warm Cucumber Salad, Roasted Onion and Salsify Puree,
Tamarind Coulis and Warm Duck Cracklings
Wine pairing - “Les Bons Batons” Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Bourgogne 2007
Third Course
Ramp-Butter Roasted Beef Marrow
and Star Anise-Infused Oxtail Marmalade Ravioli,
Buttered Toast and Rosewater Gelee
Wine pairing - Carignamissime de Centeilles Minervois 2007
Fourth Course
Crisp Roasted Red Trout with Handmade Somen,
Lemongrass and Shiitake Broth
Wine pairing - Menetou-Salon Cuvee “Le Charmay” 2009
Sweet
Pistachio Semifreddo, Chocolate Terrine, Raspberry Delice
Petit Fours from The Chef
Wine pairing - Quinta do Noval 20-Year Tawny Porto
__________________________________________
The whole night was spent with good company, great food, heartfelt speeches, and even a little bit of dancing at the end. It was night to remember and we look forward to having everyone back soon!
Other guests included Jason from Marcey Brownstein, Ellen Kostman of Sidekick Events, Carrie Sartor from Lyndsey Hamilton Events, Maria McBride of Brides Magazine, and of course myself, Val, Allison, Julie, Tim and Dagny Du Val from The Foundry!
photo by Evan Felts
What Hurricane?
08-31-11
Bride & Groom: : Christina Soohoo & Stephen Lin
When: August 27th, 2011
Photograph by: Gustavo Campos
Article by: DJ Dave from expresswaymusic.com
Come rain or shine or in this case--Hurricane Irene couldn’t stop Christina and Steve from having their special day on Saturday night. Stay tuned, as The Foundry has chosen them as September’s Couple of The Month! In the meantime, here is a great piece by DJ Dave…
The news of Hurricane Irene didn’t keep Christina and Steve from getting married and celebrating on Saturday night at the Beautiful Wedding and Event space The Foundry In Long Island City. In addition to the Marriage ceremony there was a beautiful Chinese Tea Ceremony where newlyweds are “officially” introduced to each other’s family and tea is served as a way for newlyweds to show respect and appreciation to their parents and elders. DJ Dave explained the meaning and significance of the Tea Ceremony to guests.
There was a montage played throughout the wedding on the large Screen. Here is a photo of the best man giving his toast during dinner in the main space.
After dinner(and photos by Mike Gross) guests returned to the Greenhouse space for Introductions, first dance, parent dances , the anniversary dance and cake cutting. Here is a photo of the bride and groom’s first dance which they practiced with a dance instructor prior to the wedding. The first dance song was “The way I am“ by Ingrid Michaelson.
The wedding was catered and conducted by Real Food Catering NYC. Yen, Gary and their smiling staff simply made this wedding happen with 1st rate food and planning!
Usually DJ Dave would set up in the Foundry’s main space but because of the pending hurricane some logistical changes needed to be made and he set up in the New Greenhouse space..it worked out perfectly. Here is DJ Dave at some point during the party.
The Foundry is a favorite venue of Expressway Music (as well of Many NYC Planners and Brides and Grooms). Aesthetically it is a one of kind space. Their staff, run by owner Allison Du Val is first rate…helpful and accommodating.
Many, many thanks to bride and groom Christina and Steven, Yen and Gary from Real Food Catering and Allison and her staff from the Foundry. We wish Christina and Steven a great honeymoon in Costa Rica!!!
Dinner For Two Please!
08-05-11
Event: Anniversary Dinner for Two
Where: The Foundry
When: August 1st, 2011
Article by: Jose
We at The Foundry love it when something happens that hasn’t been done before. A couple of weeks ago, we got a call from Matthew Aronowitz, a husband who got married to his wife at The Foundry August 1st, 2008. He asked if The Foundry was being occupied on Monday, August 1st of this year, and if not, he was hoping to surprise his wife with an anniversary dinner. He let us know that he’s already got a chef, and that all he needed was the place. Allison and Julie can attest that they’ve seen some pretty amazing things over the years, but this was a first for The Foundry in the 10 years of doing events!
Not only did we have this date open, but the three of us were more than happy to pitch in! In addition to setting up the table, we laid out a trail of candles leading up to the back where they would have their romantic dinner for two. We used floral arrangements from the night before and lit up the alcoves, creating a backdrop that we hoped would bring back a bit of nostalgia from the last time they were here.
At last, everything was in place--candles were lit, chefs were sautéing something tasty, and Julie hit play on their song, Billy Joel’s “Just The Way You Are”. 6:00 PM exactly--in walks Michelle…
As you can imagine, Michelle was overcome by emotion when she realized what her husband had surprised her with. After a long moment, they then walked to the back, danced and held each other before taking their seat. After a perfect dinner, they topped off their evening by visiting The Foundry Terrace.
And us? Glad you asked! Well, of course we couldn’t help ourselves from creeping around the corner a couple of times to see how it was going. Without fail, the three of us had our own emotionally pathetic moment - it was a complete love fest! We kept asking, “Who DOES that?”. Well, apparently he goes by the name of Matthew Aronowitz.
Congratulations Michelle and Matthew! Clearly, your marriage continues to be filled with all the right ingredients!
Same-Sex Marriage in New York sets off Waves on Engagements
06-27-11
Event: Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage
Where: New York
When: June 24, 2011
Article by: Jose Rolon
According to Yahoo News, waves of gay couples rushed on Saturday to make wedding plans that had been dreams for decades, as euphoria over New York's legalization of same-sex marriage promised to turn a traditional pride parade into an enormous roving engagement party.
In the minutes and hours after the law was passed and signed by Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo late on Friday, sparkling rings were offered and accepted and champagne corks flew to kick off wedding plans likely to add an estimated $284 million to the state's economy, according to a report by the Independent Democratic Conference.
The report estimated more than 21,000 gay and lesbian couples from New York would marry within the first three years and nearly 42,000 gay and lesbian couples from out of state would travel to New York for a "destination wedding."
We at The Foundry couldn’t be more excited! The Foundry has continued to support same-sex ceremonies for the past 10 years, including my very own. Five months before Allison and Julie hired me as the media/event coordinator, my husband and I legally got married in Massachusetts, but had our ceremony at The Foundry on May 15, 2010. Allison and Julie could not have been more accommodating with any concerns we might’ve had. After all, this was new territory for us, and we had to figure which things we enjoyed traditionally, and which things we didn’t. That turned out to be the beauty of The Foundry. It lends itself to create the ceremony you want.
Now couples won’t have to travel out of state to feel like their marriage is legitimate. Same-sex couples can have full legal rights in their own backyard. Regardless of your sexuality, The Foundry, in my opinion, is the best place for anyone to get married if you’re looking for something special and unique.
Friends keep asking if we’re going to have another wedding. Tim and I feel like we’ve already went through the process of choosing a kick-ass caterer (The Raging Skillet), picked our flowers (Verde Flowers), and created our invites (Pancakes and Franks). We’ve tasted our cupcakes (Tonnie’s Minis), posed for our photographer (Michael Rubottom), and danced the night away with DJ Gaza. Most importantly, we’ve already exchanged our vows and expressed our life long commitment to one another in front of our family and friends. Really, all that is left, is to head down to city hall on July 24th, make it legal according to the state of New York, and get myself back to work to help all couples make their dreams come true.
The 2nd Annual Valerie Benefit Fund
05-09-11
Event: 2nd Annual Valerie Fund Benefit
Where: THE FOUNDRY 42-38 Ninth St., Long Island City, NY 11101
When: Friday May 13th, 8pm-2am
Music: D-Nice, Dao-Yi Chow, Kovas, Mick Boogie
Drinks: Belevedere, Heineken, Hennessey
Food: Anfora, Dell’Anima, L’Artusi
RSVP: valeriefundrsvp@gmail.com
The Valerie Fund's mission is to provide support for the comprehensive health care of children with cancer and blood disorders. Come join us for a good cause! To RSVP: valeriefundrsvp@gmail.com.
ABOUT THE VALERIE FUND:
Our Mission: The Valerie Fund's mission is to provide support for the comprehensive health care of children with cancer and blood disorders.
Our Beginning: The Valerie Fund is a not-for-profit organization established in 1976 in memory of nine-year-old Valerie Goldstein by her parents, Ed and Sue.
Our Impact: Families turn to The Valerie Fund because of the unique combination of medical care, counseling, and other services it provides. The Valerie Fund Children's Centers comprise the largest network of healthcare facilities for children with cancer and blood disorders in New Jersey, and one of the largest in the nation. We host over 25,000 patient visits each year.
Close to Home: Today there are seven Valerie Fund Children's Centers for Cancer and Blood Disorders located in major hospitals in New Jersey, New York, and the Philadelphia area providing caring, comprehensive, state-of-the-art outpatient health care to more than 4,000 children and their families each year. This network means that sick children are able to receive care close to their homes. Before The Valerie Fund, many children—such as Valerie Goldstein—had to travel long distances because the treatment they needed was available only at major medical facilities located in large cities.
The Whole Patient: At The Valerie Fund Centers, patients receive far more than treatment for their physical illnesses. Our philosophy is that to truly heal the children with whose care we are entrusted, we must treat them emotionally, socially, and developmentally, as well as medically.
The Entire Family: Childhood disease strikes not only the child, but the entire family. When a child is a patient at a Valerie Fund Center, a staff of social workers, counselors, psychologists, and child-life specialists enfold the child and the family in a blanket of ongoing, individualized care. We firmly believe this approach is the most effective way to fight childhood disease.
Where: THE FOUNDRY 42-38 Ninth St., Long Island City, NY 11101
When: Friday May 13th, 8pm-2am
Music: D-Nice, Dao-Yi Chow, Kovas, Mick Boogie
Drinks: Belevedere, Heineken, Hennessey
Food: Anfora, Dell’Anima, L’Artusi
RSVP: valeriefundrsvp@gmail.com
The Valerie Fund's mission is to provide support for the comprehensive health care of children with cancer and blood disorders. Come join us for a good cause! To RSVP: valeriefundrsvp@gmail.com.
ABOUT THE VALERIE FUND:
Our Mission: The Valerie Fund's mission is to provide support for the comprehensive health care of children with cancer and blood disorders.
Our Beginning: The Valerie Fund is a not-for-profit organization established in 1976 in memory of nine-year-old Valerie Goldstein by her parents, Ed and Sue.
Our Impact: Families turn to The Valerie Fund because of the unique combination of medical care, counseling, and other services it provides. The Valerie Fund Children's Centers comprise the largest network of healthcare facilities for children with cancer and blood disorders in New Jersey, and one of the largest in the nation. We host over 25,000 patient visits each year.
Close to Home: Today there are seven Valerie Fund Children's Centers for Cancer and Blood Disorders located in major hospitals in New Jersey, New York, and the Philadelphia area providing caring, comprehensive, state-of-the-art outpatient health care to more than 4,000 children and their families each year. This network means that sick children are able to receive care close to their homes. Before The Valerie Fund, many children—such as Valerie Goldstein—had to travel long distances because the treatment they needed was available only at major medical facilities located in large cities.
The Whole Patient: At The Valerie Fund Centers, patients receive far more than treatment for their physical illnesses. Our philosophy is that to truly heal the children with whose care we are entrusted, we must treat them emotionally, socially, and developmentally, as well as medically.
The Entire Family: Childhood disease strikes not only the child, but the entire family. When a child is a patient at a Valerie Fund Center, a staff of social workers, counselors, psychologists, and child-life specialists enfold the child and the family in a blanket of ongoing, individualized care. We firmly believe this approach is the most effective way to fight childhood disease.
Quite The Event
04-03-11
Event: Poppies and Posies Dinner Party
Hosted by: Sierra and Juliet of Poppies & Posies
When: Wednesday, March 29th
Article by: Amy Azzarito of Design Sponge
Photographer: Jen Huang
It was certainly not a normal Wednesday night; Grace and I changed out of our work-at-home attire into fancy clothes and headed up to Long Island City in Queens for a dinner party held by Sierra and Juliet of Poppies & Posies. The event was at
The Foundry — a 19th-century building where fine varnishes were manufactured before it housed The Albra Metal Foundry. Working in the wedding industry, Sierra and Juliet had been inspired by Michael Stuart NY’s food and presentation, particularly their use of local and organic products. They called in lots of favors and all the folks who usually help them create a fantastic wedding collaborated on crafting a dinner party to usher in spring. There were so many amazing details — and the flower arrangements (which included some of Grace’s favorites: dogwood, hellebore and tree peonies) were held in a mix of vintage containers. The place cards were rubber stamps (best favor ever!) created by Paperfinger. And the food that inspired the party? I have just three words for you: truffle grilled cheese. The grilled cheese sandwiches literally shot to the top of my “best sandwich ever list”! See below for The Foundry’s pic for Something To Dish About. Lastly, Thanks to
Jen Huang for all the photography!
Read more at Design*Sponge http://www.designspongeonline.com
Read more at Design*Sponge http://www.designspongeonline.com
