Lunch at Hotel Bellevue and Setting up for Events

Tuesday was BEO day and I created the folders for the different events we would be having at the restaurant over the next couple weeks. The Bellevue Collection cards also arrived on Monday, so I was finally able to show them to Gracie and Darrell. They look amazing and everyone was happy on how they turned out. We gave 250 to Amy Sherlock, the marketing coordinator at Kemper Development, the company that owns Bellevue Square, Bellevue Place, and Lincoln Square. The cards will be handed out mainly to the people attending the different conferences and conventions being held in Bellevue. We also had a tour and lunch with Kaarin and Heather from Hotel Bellevue at the Bellevue Club. I had been there previously for the Project Greenlight Fall Fashion Show and this time we got a tour of the different rooms the hotel has to offer and the event spaces they can provide. They have just remodeled the ballroom and put up amazing display screens and light schemes for the different events that take place in that room. We had lunch at Polaris, the restaurant inside the club. As Gracie and I had never been there, Heather and Carin started off by ordering the crispy salmon sushi roll. I am not a big fan of fish in general, but this was probably the best sushi I have ever had. Kaarin and I both got the Gorgonzola and caramelized pear pizette, and Heather got the halibut tacos. For dessert, the ladies from Hotel Bellevue “forced” me to get the dessert trio, which was absolutely amazing. Espresso brûlée, chocolate soufflé cake, and white chocolate and brie cheesecake, could not ask for anything better!

Yesterday, Wednesday was a late day for me, finally getting to see the restaurant at dinnertime. I hung the BEOs for the next week in the kitchen so Chef can be prepared for the coming parties. Then, I got to shadow Neil, one of the servers while he set up for a party in the St. Charles room. Setting for 42, there were 7 round tables with 6 people each. The party had a podium so we had to situate the room accordingly. It was great to be able to help Neil and Justin set-up for the party, as I have been mostly working in the office upstairs with Gracie and Darrell. They were great to work with, very encouraging and willing to let me help. The guests arrived slowly, mostly mingling around the entrance and started filtering in and out, ordering drinks and talking. I also helped Justin serve the salads, which adds to my limited experience in serving.

Thursday’s plans:
Ruth’s Chris at 4pm