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Aquavit Restaurant New York | Ask Aquavit

Aquavit Restaurant New York

Escort cards or place cards?

Escort Cards are picked up by guests on arrival and inform them at which table they will sit. Individual Place Cards appear at the table setting where each guest will sit.

What time should a corporate dinner start in New York City and how long should it last?

This is New York – we don’t leave the office even when we leave the office. Assuming that most guests will be at their desks before attending, you shouldn’t expect anyone to arrive until 6:30 PM. Weekday events should try to end by 8:30-9 PM. Allow extra time for those who wish to linger, but your guests will appreciate a short reception followed by a well-paced dinner.

We just got married and are coming in for dinner. Can Restaurant Aquavit secure half a dozen centerpieces with an hour’s notice?

You can get practically anything in New York City and we have relations with terrific midtown designers ready to save the day.

What about kosher meals or food allergies?

When Restaurant Aquavit receives such a request, we order meals from the city’s finest kosher restaurants, selecting menus similar to the ones offered the party’s other guests. The meals arrive sealed and we present them with kosher-approved china and tableware. As for allergies, our chefs regularly adapt the menu to meet these medical requests.

Seating plans

Seating can be one of the most challenging aspects of planning an event and the politics behind this can be as trying at family gatherings as at state dinners – and we’ve catered both of these and everything in between.

Our suggestion is to group and pre-seat all of your potential attendees even before sending out invitations. That way, as you receive RSVPS, your tables fill up in an appropriate manner and soften the desperation which emerges at the last minute when the unexpected guests announce their imminent arrival - with their children. Certainly, you will need to adjust some seating at the last minute, but at least most of the plans will be in place.

Assigned Tables vs. Assigned Seating

For many events, assigning guests to a table rather than a specific seat is sufficient, assuming they are compatible. In a professional gathering, it is preferable to have a host or representative available at each table. Where protocol is important, seek professional advice. (Does anyone remember when the White House thought to seat Henry Kissinger next to a very young Ricky Schroder? Dr. Kissinger requested and was immediately reseated with major world dignitaries.)

Open seating

While a buffet supper is a relaxed way to entertain, be certain to reserve seating for your guests of honor, hosts, senior relatives and those with special needs. There shouldn’t be any uncertainty as to your intention to make them welcome and comfortable.

Similarly, be practical about such things. There should be an abundance of possible seats – more than the number of attendees – so the dining experience doesn’t resemble a game of musical chairs.

Save The Date/Evites/RSVPs/No Shows

Despite your best efforts to inform guests about your special occasion –and this includes corporate, media and social events – you find yourself only a day away from your party and some invitees still haven’t responded if they intend to attend. Weddings –even with abundant notice - as well as Twittered after-work gatherings suffer from the same lack of courtesy on the part of guests. For whatever reasons they can summon, guests no longer feel obligated to commit themselves in a timely manner and the costs to host and caterer are considerable.

Our advice is to be pro-active when you first planning the event if you can. Set aside a date in your calendar for follow-up calls and if you cannot attend to them, have a designated hitter assigned to the task. E-mail and call all of the unresponsive invitees. Your message should be that you have assumed that they will be unable to attend but if it is otherwise to contact you directly via e-mail immediately.

At the same time, you might send an Evite to those who did respond, expressing how much you look forward to seeing them on DATE, TIME, ADDRESS for your [graduation/debut/wedding/inauguration…]

For more practical advice, please contact Peter Klein for more information and advice regarding your next event.

Phone: 212-957-9045 or email him at .

We look forward to hearing from you!