Special Event and Private Party Ideas

Cooking Classes

Chef Rick Lakkonen invites you to take a step out of your office and into a "hands on" cooking experience in Delmonico's or Arnos's private dining rooms for our most talked about teambuilding event. We will help your corporate groups interact in new ways, building strong, cohesive teams, and renewing relationships. Watch your guests work and play together as they create an award-winning meal. Groups are divided and given personal instruction in the art of gourmet cooking while working side by side with our three star chef!

Iron Chef Competition

Look out Morimoto Masaharu and Bobby Flay, its Delmonico's version of the Iron Chef. The Delmonico's private dining room transforms into a cooking arena where guests demonstrate their culinary skills, creativity and ability to execute and present the finest meals in 30 minutes flat. The chefs are given the same ingredients, three burners, and kitchen equipment. In half an hour's time the competitors must come up with a dish that will be judged on creativity, presentation, and taste. Throughout the competition, our executive chef will visit each team to check their progress, offer commentary, and encourage their competitive spirit. Once the last touches of sauce are ladled and herbs garnished meticulously upon the plate, the dishes are presented to Rick for judging. The first place winners are awarded a signed cook book of Dining at Delmonico's and are all crowned Iron Chefs for the evening. Once the competition is completed, guests are directed to the upstairs private dining room and will have dinner from a menu specifically designed by Rick using the same ingredients. Watch out, things can get hot!

Dining at Delmonico's Vintage Dinner

Erected in 1837, Delmonico's is the oldest restaurant in the United States and home to many dishes that have become culinary classics. In celebrating the launch of its very first cookbook, Delmonico's is going back in time with a special dinner inspired by menus from the 19th century and dishes invented in our very own kitchens hundreds of years ago. Celebrity Chef Rick Lakkonen recreates classic Delmonico's dishes with a 21st century spin. Sample items created in the 1800's including Lobster Newburg, Oysters Diamond Jim Brady, Eggs Benedict and Baked Alaska. Paired with cocktails from the 19th century, this event is certain to go down in history!

Wine and Dine at Delmonico's

Designed for the novice, our classes take a fun approach, with an emphasis on the practical side of tasting and buying wine. For many junior employees; these classes have opened up a world of understanding and appreciation of wine - a strong asset in business entertaining. Upon arrival, your guests will be treated to Proseco (Italian Sparkling Wine) and our chef's antipasto and fruit/cheese presentation. There will be a brief introduction by our sommelier with an emphasis on the practical side of purchasing, selecting, and tasting wine in a business or social setting, followed by a more in depth look at the world of wine. Our expert instructor will makes this tasting a user friendly one, in either a seated dinner setting or a more casual cocktail style format. Lots of fun!

Art Tasting at the Mixed Greens Gallery

"The Art Tasting" was created by us to connect and introduce young professionals who might be intimidated about the gallery experience to upcoming new artists and their work, in a funky relaxed environment. The result is a less intimidating, more informative introduction to the investment and knowledge of art. This event is our version of a wine tasting where your guests can casually drift from one area of the gallery to the next to listen to expert advice on purchasing art, investment strategies, genres of art, upcoming Manhattan artists, etc. in non stuffy, informal manner. This special event puts guests at ease and introduces art to the first buyer, while keeping the seasoned buyer entertained. This is one of most creative ways to entertain clients who have seen it all!

Put Your Best Fork Forward!

Get ready; get set to put your best fork forward! If you haven't participated in our newest event, let's get it on the calendar now! Ann Marie Sabath, author of six books on domestic and international etiquette and founder of At Ease Inc. will entertain and inform you during this Lunch & Learn Program. You will arrive believing you know most of the rules of entertaining clients during meals and business receptions and leave realizing how many new tips there still were to learn. Sabath will share The 20 Most Commonly-Made Dining Etiquette Faux Pas. She also will share how to make your net work for you during business receptions and where to stand in a room to get others to approach you. Besides being able to ask questions throughout this hands-on instructional meal, you also will have access to the Business Etiquette Hotline which has been recognized by The Wall Street Journal, USA Today and CNN

Tropical Luau and Bartending Instruction

Visit the islands of One Eighty Three! Invite your guests to experience the sights and sounds of the tropics as they learn the secrets of tropical drink making and savor island specialties. Reggae music will greet your guests as they enter our intimate paradise to transport them to an island getaway. Our drink master will demonstrate the proper way to prepare the best drinks of the islands. Paired with delicious cuisine and a tropical backdrop, you guests will feel as if they have been transported to a far away land. The instruction will begin in our private patio space and our bartenders will teach your guests the in and outs of refreshing libations! Awards will be presented for the most original concoction, creative presentation and best taste.

Super Foods and Stress Management

Join us as we introduce your guests to a new and innovative way to spend an evening. By combining business with an opportunity to get healthy and destress, this event benefits not only your employees but their employers as well. This "super" party is not only fun, but informative and entertaining!. We'll start with Pomegranate martinis and finish with blueberry sorbet! We will showcase super foods and pair them with complementary beverages, in a variety of dishes. Your guests will wander from station to station of "super foods" as an expert on stress management, proper nutrition and foods that help you relax and advises them on what foods are best to lead a healthy, stress free life, what food combinations work best, the best antioxidants, heart healthy foods, breathing techniques, etc.. The food stations will be accompanied by a fact sheet with recipes of "super foods" and guests will have an opportunity to ask questions throughout this unique event. In addition, a certified personal trainer(s) will be on hand to talk about the benefits of regular exercise and give informal advice on weight loss, strength training and how exercise can be a key component in a successful career. The setting is as informative as it is fun!

Birthday Celebrations, Weddings, Bridal Showers and Rehearsal Dinners

All of our restaurants offer ideal venues to entertain friends and family. Wedding celebrations can be planned for a very reasonable price and bridal parties will be thrilled with our beautiful dining rooms. Close to many synagogues and churches, our restaurants offer special lunch and dinner menus that cater to your special occasion. Perfect for Sweet Sixteen's or Bar/ Bas mitzvahs and any special occasion, our large dining room can accommodate entertainment, dancing, cooking or any themed event you may desire for both children and adults.

Off Premise Catering

We have expanded into off-premise catering and can bring the same critically acclaimed chefs from our restaurant to your private event at any location for groups of 20-2000. Our off-premise clients and events have included Vogue/VH1's Fashion Awards, AMFAR; David Bowie, HBO'S the Sopranos, the New York Film Society of Lincoln Center, Steve Martin, I Saloni at the Show Piers, Julian Schnabel, and countless others. Private cooking classes with Rick Laakkonen can be arranged at your home.

Call our Catering & Special Events Department
to schedule your party at 212-696-4184 or
e-mail us at
cscrestaurantgroup@verizon.net