Rehearsal Dinner, Shower & Engagement Party Catering

The wedding day itself usually goes to a full-service caterer with a bar, staff and rentals. The smaller events around it are different. A rehearsal dinner for 30 at a family home, a bridal shower in a church fellowship hall, an engagement party in the backyard: these need good food in the right amount, at a price you know before you book. That is what our trays are built for.

Rehearsal dinners

A rehearsal dinner is often the first time both families sit down together, so it helps to serve something that feels like a real dinner rather than party snacks. A roasted lamb leg over hashwa rice makes a natural centerpiece. Hashwa is rice with spiced ground beef, nuts and raisins, and the whole marinated leg comes on a large tray over it. Pair it with chicken kabobs for guests who prefer chicken, a salad, a vegetable side and bread.

Here is a sample dinner for about 40 guests. It uses the lamb leg as the showpiece and covers everyone with a second protein.

Qty	Item	Price
1	Roasted Lamb Leg with Hashwa (large tray)	$300
1	Chicken Shawarma, large tray	$120
2	Rice, large tray	$100
2	Mixed Vegetables, large tray	$180
2	Fattoush Salad, large tray	$120
4	Tandoori Bread, dozen	$64
2	Baklava, large tray	$180
	Food total	$1,064
	Per guest	about $26.60

Food only, at today's menu prices, before tax and delivery ($10 to $30 by distance). Trays are counted at the low end of each size's range.

Kabobs are sold by the skewer and you can mix chicken, beef, lamb, kafta, shrimp, salmon and vegetable; the kabob minimum applies. See the kabob section of the menu for each price.

Bridal showers and baby showers

Showers usually run in the early afternoon and lean lighter. A mezze-style spread works well because guests can graze while gifts are opened:

• Hummus and baba ghannouge with tandoori bread
• Grape leaves, spinach pies and cheese pies by the dozen
• A Greek or Mediterranean salad tray
• Rolled sandwiches, cut and easy to eat with one hand
• Baklava, kunafa, or a whole lemon cake or strawberry cheesecake

Qty	Item	Price
1	Hummus, large tray	$60
1	Baba Ghannouge, small tray	$40
3	Grape Leaves, dozen	$54
3	Spinach Pies, dozen	$72
1	Mediterranean Salad, large tray	$55
1	Mediterranean Salad, small tray	$35
1	Rolled Sandwich Platter (10 pieces)	$100
1	Baklava, large tray	$90
1	Baklava, small tray	$50
	Food total	$556
	Per guest	about $22.24

Food only, at today's menu prices, before tax and delivery ($10 to $30 by distance). Trays are counted at the low end of each size's range.

Our kitchen opens at 11 am daily, which suits a lunch or afternoon shower. For a morning event, call us first. With advance notice we can have the order ready before 11 am; arrange it with us when you book.

Engagement parties

Engagement parties are often larger and more mixed than showers: friends from work, both families, kids. A shawarma tray, a pasta tray and a salad cover most tastes, with a dessert table to finish. The party catering page has more ideas for a general crowd, and our Mediterranean catering page explains the dishes for guests who have not tried them before.

Sizing the order

For a seated dinner, plan to cover every guest once with a main dish, a side and a salad, then add bread and dessert. For a shower or a standing party where guests graze, the same rule works, with more of the finger food and less of the hot trays. If you are between tray sizes, round up: a small tray serves 10–12 and a large tray serves 20–22. The catering for 50 people guide walks through the math for bigger groups.

Guests with dietary needs

Hummus, baba ghannouge, falafel, rice, fattoush, tabouleh and Lebanese salad are marked vegan on our menu. Grape leaves, spinach pies, cheese pies, roasted potatoes, Greek salad and penne rosé are marked vegetarian. Tell us about allergies when you order and we will go over what is in each dish. Our vegan and vegetarian catering page lists the full set.

Service, venues and booking

Our catering is ordered by the tray. We deliver up to 50 miles from the restaurant, to homes, offices, churches, venues and funeral homes, or you can pick up at 9901 Southpoint Parkway. Delivery is $10 for addresses within 20 miles of the restaurant, $20 for 20 to 40 miles and $30 for 40 to 50 miles.

• Setup and servers: Drop-off is standard. Setup, wait staff and other services are available on request and priced with your quote. Tick what you need on the quote form.
• Venues: we can deliver to wineries, event halls and other venues within 50 miles. Check the venue's outside-food policy before you book.
• Tastings: Yes. We offer tastings in our dining room; arrange one with our staff in advance.
• Payment: Orders placed less than 48 hours before your event are paid in full when you order. With more notice, your order starts as a quote: we review it, call you to go over it and adjust anything needed, then charge your card.

Orders must be placed and confirmed at least 24 hours before your event. For wedding-week events, booking earlier gives you room to adjust the headcount. Call (540) 372-7755 or request a quote with your date and guest count.