Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Europa Restaurant
After years of passing Europa Restaurant on the Post Road in Fairfield, I finally took my kids out for dinner there last Friday. The outside was not looking great but based on the need to find somewhere new and the fact that an old friend had recommeded it to me years ago, I took the plunge.As soon as we walked in, there was a very warm and inviting atmosphere. The greek menu was complete from fresh fish to gyros and the smile and kindness from our waitress (I think also Greek) was soothing. We had a great meal that was unique for Fairfield. We all walked out satisfied.
The next day, Saturday, I heard that the restaurant had been sold and was closed.
Say it isn't so! Tell me that they are just renovating the outside but the menu and the staff will stay the same! Tell me that I didn't discover Europa Restaurant too late! Please.
For more ideas on entertaining or party planning or you want to recommend another restaurant in Fairfield County, contact White Linen Events, 203 254 4490.
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Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Entertaining Lessons Learned
Well, I am happy to say that my 50 person party is over. After battling over the menu and the smaller details with a client who was busy and distracted, we pulled it together. Tim Labant, www.timlabant.com, pulled through with flying colors! He was cool and calm, his staff helpful and professional and of course the food was to die for!! Everyone was happy. And after my crazy situation with Party Rental LTD, many good things came my way. I was introduced to Stamford Tent and Party Rental, www.StamfordTent.com, who also came through with flying colors. They were helpful when a couple of details became hairy (did that client really send back that table we needed that would fit the 50 people in her livingroom?...crazy). And for Party Rental Ltd, www.partyrentalltd.com, I ended up speaking with someone there that I should have been dealing with in the first place so I will go to her next time which should make my life easier...hopefully!On another note, I heard from Chris from the Cantering Caterer, www.canteringcaterer.com, yesterday. He couldn't believe that I wrote about him in my blog. He couldn't believe I had something not so great to say about his company (I called asking for a proposal for this party I just did and he promised to deliver within 24 hours and I never heard from him again until yesterday). He said he sent his proposal via email (the first time it bounced back and the second time it went through). Somehow sending a proposal via internet was enough for him...he thought he had done his job. In my book doing your job means checking, contacting and checking on details again. Simply sending a proposal and not doing any follow up is both stupid for a business and crazy when planning a party. That is why I don't trust that he could see through every detail of a party because a successsful party is all about checking, checking and checking.
On a blogging note, this is what blogging is all about. I don't blog to threaten or even to hurt someone's business or reputation. I blog because my experiences and my dos and donts could help others when planning any kind of event. Chris said to me that I should have called him before I wrote about my experience with the Cantoring Caterer. Well, what would have been the purpose of that....to threaten him....to get him to do something for free because I was going to blog....no way...it would not have changed the fact that he didn't follow up with me and it wouldn't have changed my doubts in his ability to follow through.
I, again, blog to share my tales about the entertaining world. Chris should consider this a blessing, a lesson learned that could propel his business forward. Blogging is the best way to hear first hand what is going on with your clients, your vendors, and your industry. The second way you hear from your clients and vendors is through the cash register and the ching ching that slows to a trickle.
For anymore tips on event planning, please call White Linen Events at 203 254 4490 or email (and follow up) info@whitellinen-events.com
Have a great day!
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Entertaining Business
This is entertaining business at its best...American Idol has captured the audience through different tools (TV, mobile, blogs...) and has worked the timing perfectly so that Taylor's CD is hitting the streets just before we forget who he is. Take a look:2006 American Idol Taylor Hicks Signs With 19 Recordings Limited/Arista Records!
2006 American Idol Taylor Hicks signs with 19 Recordings Limited/Arista Records. Hicks' first single "Do I Make You Proud" is available in-stores and digitally on June 13th. (PRNewsFoto/J Records) NEW YORK, NY UNITED STATES 05/31/2006
Hicks' first single 'Do I Make You Proud' is available in-stores and
digitally on June 13th
NEW YORK, May 31 -- Following this year's most successful
season of American Idol with over 35 million viewers tuning into the finale
on May 24th, the 2006 winner Taylor Hicks signs a recording deal with Simon
Fuller and 19 Recordings Limited, in conjunction legendary music man Clive
Davis, Chairman of BMG U.S., and Arista Records.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060531/NYW120 )
The 29 year old Alabama native, that captured the hearts of millions of
viewers by pouring heart and soul into every performance, joins the ranks
of other idols that have gone on to have outstanding music careers under
the guidance of Davis. Previous Idol winners and runner ups have sold a
staggering 33 million records which includes music from Kelly Clarkson,
Clay Aiken, Fantasia, Carrie Underwood, Ruben Studdard and Bo Bice.
The first single from the charismatic performer includes the original
Idol composition, "Do I Make You Proud," sung during the final round of
voting and again during the finale. The single also includes his soulful
rendition of the Doobie Brothers classic, "Takin' It To The Streets," from
the American Idol Season 5 Encores CD. The single is available in-stores
and through digital outlets on June 13th. Hicks' legion of loyal followers
dubbed the "soul patrol" and fans all across the country can expect a full
length album from Hicks later this year.
About 19 Entertainment
The 19 Group of Companies was founded by Simon Fuller in 1985 and to
date has been involved in the creation of 109 Number 1 singles and 87
Number 1 albums with an impressive tally of 296 Top 40 albums and 465 Top
40 singles.
Fuller created and managed the Spice Girls, who became a global
phenomenon under his guidance, selling over 38 million albums. In 1998,
Fuller's 19 launched S Club 7, which has sold over 10 million CDs
worldwide, while its four television series were sold to over 100 countries
around the world.
In 2001, Simon Fuller's 19TV created and produced the television
phenomenon "Pop Idol" and in 2002, "American Idol." "Pop Idol" launched the
singing careers of Will Young and Gareth Gates in the UK, while "American
Idol" did the same for Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken,
Fantasia, Diana Degarmo, Bo Bice and Carrie Underwood in the United States.
About RCA Music Group
The RCA Music Group includes J Records, Arista Records, RCA Records and
RCA Victor. The J Records roster is home to platinum superstars Alicia
Keys, Rod Stewart, Pearl Jam, Annie Lennox, Luther Vandross, Jamie Foxx,
Maroon5, Mario, Gavin DeGraw, Fantasia and Monica among others. The Arista
Records family includes all-time superstars Sarah McLachlan, Santana, Dido,
Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Carrie Underwood, Barry Manilow and Kenny
G. RCA Records is home to superstar artists Christina Aguilera, Dave
Matthews Band, Foo Fighters, The Strokes, Velvet Revolver, Avril Lavigne,
Clay Aiken, Kelly Clarkson, Heather Headley and more. RCA Victor's roster
includes Imogen Heap, Rachael Yamagata, Etta James, Eliane Elias, George
Winston, The Chieftains, Larry Carlton and Fourplay. RCA Music Group is
part of Sony BMG Music Entertainment.
SOURCE J Records
Related links:
http://www.jrecords.com
