Welcome To Parties & Events

Lake Union Cafe

The Lake Union Cafe is available for social and corporate functions, such as dinners,
wedding ceremonies & receptions, retreats, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.

The Lake Union Cafe is now also a bakery!

We now sell yummy and delightful treats! We also bake attractive cakes of different shapes and sizes, suitable for different occasions.
"Lake Union Café has a polite and sincere staff. The chefs here have mastered the art of cooking. The food choices are diverse and interesting. There’s always something new to try.”
James M. Flores

Why Choose Lake Union Cafe ?

Lake Union Café is a popular hangout spot for people of different ages. We have great music and ambience here. You can make yourself comfortable and have a memorable time with friends and family.

Convenient Location

Lake Union Café is easy to find and there is plenty of space for parking too. You can invite your friends or business clients over, and they should have no difficulty finding our place.

In-house Catering

We host plenty of events on a regular basis and provide in-house catering. Our catering services are fast and efficient. Because we have the home court advantage, your event is sure to receive hot and yummy food with no issues of shortage.

Stunning waterfront view

We like to give our customers a feeling of serenity and calm. We have a relaxing waterfront view that will make your visit to our café truly special. We focus on creating a beautiful food and drink experience for you.

Indoor/Outdoor Ceremony Space

Whether you want to have your event indoor or outdoor, we have you covered. We can help meet your requirements and decorate the place as per your preferred style.

What We Offer

Lake Union Café is spacious and always full of life. Here
is what we have to offer to our customers.

Corporate Events

We always host well-organized corporate events with a sheen of professionalism. We can help ensure that your private event is a success in every way. Your clients and employees will love our place.

Modern Cuisine & Service

Our modern style cuisine is focused on bringing unique twists and interpretations to many famous traditional dishes. Our chefs understand how flavors work and they know how to create a thrilling food experience. Experience the modern-day sophistication of the food industry at Lake Union Café.

Weddings & Receptions

We have hosted many different styles of weddings and receptions over the years. We are adaptable and can meet the diverse requirements of our customers. Let us know how you want your wedding to look like.

Latest Posts

Styles of Food and Beverage Service Then and Now

food and beverage

Regarding food and beverage service, things have changed a lot over the years. From the way food is prepared and served to the way we order and pay for our drinks, everything has been impacted by technology and changing social norms.

From restaurants to bars to cafés, see how things have changed and what we can expect in the future.

Table service

Table service is a food and beverage service that has evolved. In the past, table service was typically only available in fine dining establishments. However, these days, table service is available in a variety of different types of restaurants, from casual to fine dining.

bars to cafés

There are several different types of table service, including plated service, family-style service, buffet service, and more.

Room service

In the past, room service referred to food brought to hotel guest rooms. This type of service is no longer common, as most hotels have removed room service from their offerings.

However, some luxury hotels still provide this amenity for guests. Room service typically includes a menu of items that can be ordered and delivered to your room.

Delivery

There are many different ways to serve food and beverage, each with unique benefits. In the past, food and beverage service were often more formal, with waiters and waitresses serving multiple courses on trays.

Today, there is a greater focus on customer satisfaction, which has led to a more relaxed approach to service.

Take-out

The take-out style of food service has changed little over the years, though there have been some minor changes. For example, some restaurants now offer “to-go” menus separate from their regular menu, while others have begun offering online ordering and delivery options.

Drive-thru

In the past, drive-thru service was not as standard as it is now. This service has become increasingly popular over the years, as it is convenient for customers and businesses.

Drive-thru service is a food and beverage service that allows customers to order and pay for items without leaving their vehicles. This service is typically found at fast food restaurants, coffee shops, and convenience stores.

Self-service

Self-service is a food and beverage service where customers serve themselves from a buffet or counter. This style of service has become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly in casual dining settings.

Catering

There are four main styles of food and beverage service: American, Russian, French, and English.

Catering

American Service: This style is also known as family-style service. Food is served on platters and dishes in the middle of the table for guests to help themselves.

Russian Service: In this style of service, each guest is served a complete meal on their individual plate at the same time. Drinks are usually served in shot glasses or small cups.

French Service: French service is a bit more formal than the other styles. Food is plated individually by the kitchen staff and brought out to guests. Drinks are typically poured by the server from a bottle or carafe and then handed to guests.

English Service: This style is similar to French service, but the food is generally presented on large platters or trays instead of individually plated. Drinks are again usually poured by the server from a bottle or carafe and then handed to guests.

Wedding Reception Ideas To Make It A Day To Remember

Wedding Reception

You’ve planned a beautiful wedding, made all the right choices to make it memorable, and now you want to take it one step further. You want your guests to remember how much fun they had at your wedding reception!

You might not be able to control what happens in life, but there are plenty of ways to ensure everyone has a great time. Here are some ideas that will help make your special day stand out from all the others:

Make a Video

One of the best ways to make your wedding reception a day to remember is by creating a video. Video clips are a great way to capture all the fun moments, from the bride and groom’s first dance to their speeches and first kiss. You can also record all of the fun throughout the entire reception!

beautiful wedding

Create Your Hashtag

Hashtags are a great way to group social media posts, and they can be used to promote a cause or event. You can create your hashtag to make it unique, then use it on social media and print it on your invites.

Provide Disposable Cameras On Every Table

Consider providing disposable cameras on every table. This will allow your guests to take candid shots of themselves and their friends, which is a great way for them to remember the day.

You can also have some fun with it by having your wedding party get ready together before the ceremony or even taking some photos with you in the limo on your way from one location to another.

Personalize Your Flowers

Flowers play a big part in making a wedding day special. They can be used to decorate the venue, the tables and the cake. You can even use them to personalize your wedding party’s outfits. Flowers are also an important part of any bride’s bouquet, so don’t forget that!

You can get creative with your flowers. Instead of using traditional white roses, for example, why not try some hot pink rose petals? If you’re having a fall wedding and want a more rustic flavor, consider using dried hydrangea with some fresh lavender sprigs as an alternative to fresh flowers like tulips or daffodils (or both!).

Have a Fun Photo Booth

This can be any type of prop that will help people get silly shots together—think wigs and sunglasses! Just remember that anything too risqué should probably be avoided for this situation since you’ll likely see these photos later down the road when everyone’s sober again.

Give Out Fun Favors

The best favors are both personal and practical. The ideal favor is one your guests will use or remember in the future, but not one that’s overly expensive or difficult to distribute. Here are some ideas for unique wedding favors:

Give each guest a bottle of wine with their name on it. You can have the bottles custom-made by a local winery or simply fill them yourself at home before distributing them to guests at the reception.

You can create a reception that is memorable and fun for everyone. The key is to do something unique, so keep these ideas in mind when planning your wedding day!

Ultimate Checklist For Choosing A Venue

Ultimate Checklist

Choosing the right venue for your event can be a daunting task. There are so many options, and each venue has its unique personality. Here’s a checklist to ensure you choose the perfect spot for your special day.

Is it available for the time of year you want?

A wedding venue is usually an important part of the planning process. It’s where you can have your ceremony and reception, meet with vendors, get ready on the big day, and celebrate with all of your guests after you say “I do.”

Does the venue meet your needs?

It’s important to make sure that the venue can accommodate everyone on your guest list, as well as your budget. If you’re working with a tight budget, you probably don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on a venue that doesn’t have enough room for everyone or that doesn’t offer all of the amenities you want (such as catering and bar service).

You should also consider whether certain things are more important than others. For example, if you don’t mind having a smaller wedding party but care about having an open bar for guests, then maybe a small and intimate reception hall would be better for your needs than one with lots of space but no alcohol options.

Can you afford it?

Before choosing a venue, you must consider how much money you must spend. This can include costs associated with booking, decorating, and catering.

decorating

In addition, take stock of how much money you can borrow from family members or friends and how much money you can raise through fundraising efforts like bake sales and car washes.

Do its vendors fit your budget?

You must ensure that the venue you choose has the vendors you want. The most important thing is to determine what services these vendors would offer and how much they cost.

For example, if you’re planning on having a wedding cake that costs $600, ask about their pricing for weddings and if there are any discounts for booking them together. Then ask them what specific services are included in that price — does it include delivery?

Finally, find out who is making your wedding cake (i.e., which baker) so that you can get referrals from past clients who have used their services before.

Doing this research will allow you to make an informed decision when choosing which vendors are right for your wedding day!

How far are the nearest airport and hotel accommodations?

Before you book your venue, it’s important to make sure that your guests can get from their hotels to the venue with ease. They don’t want to worry about navigating a new city on top of attending your wedding, so keep this in mind when choosing a location.

Also, think about how far away from an airport you want to be—if all of your out-of-town guests will be flying in for the wedding, it may be worth considering a hotel closer to an airport than one that requires taking public transportation or renting a car just for one night.

If you’re still unsure about the venue, try to make an appointment with someone from the company that operates it. They can walk you through everything and help answer any remaining questions.

Top Special Event Cakes ideas

Event Cake

A cake is not just a cake. It is an expression of who you are. It is a reflection of your personality and your event. So it makes sense that you want your cake to be as special as the event itself.

There are many factors to consider when choosing a cake for your special event. From the flavor to the design, everything about the cake should reflect the theme of your event. Here are some ideas to get you started on finding the perfect cake for your next big celebration!

Birthday Cakes

When it comes to birthday cakes, there are so many different and unique ways to make them special. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Birthday Cakes

– incorporate the guest of honor’s favorite colors into the cake design

– use fun and festive sprinkles or edible decorations

– write a personalized message on the cake with icing

– bake a cake in the shape of the guest of honor’s favorite animal or object

– make a giant cake that serves a large group of people

No matter what your budget or skill level is, there is a way to make a birthday cake that will be remembered and enjoyed by all. So get creative and have fun with it!

Wedding Cakes

When it comes to wedding cakes, there are endless possibilities. Whether you’re looking for a traditional tiered cake or something more unique, there are plenty of options. Here are some of the most popular wedding cake trends:

  1. Rustic Wedding Cakes
  2. Patterned Wedding Cakes
  3. Glamorous Wedding Cakes

Graduation Cakes

When celebrating a big milestone, few events are as meaningful as graduation. This time-honored tradition marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another and calls for a proper celebration. And what better way to celebrate than with a delicious cake?

Whether you’re looking for something classic or unique, we’ve got some great ideas for graduation cakes that are sure to impress. From simple sheet cakes to towering tiers, there’s something for everyone. And if you’re unsure where to start, our team of experts can help you design the perfect cake for your special day.

Baby Shower Cakes

Baby Shower Cakes

Whether planning a small gathering or a large party, baby shower cakes are a delicious and festive way to celebrate the mom-to-be! There are so many fun and creative ways to design baby shower cakes.

If you’re looking for something classic, try a white cake decorated with delicate sugar flowers. For a playful twist on the traditional cake, try a “diaper” cake – layers of rolled diapers held together with ribbons and decorated with baby items like bottles, pacifiers, and plush toys.

No matter what design you choose, your guests will surely be impressed by your baby shower cake!

A cake is often the highlight of a special event, so it’s important to choose one that will fit the occasion. With so many different flavors, fillings, and frostings to choose from, the possibilities are endless. We hope our list of ideas has inspired you for your next event. Whether you’re looking for a classic birthday cake or something more unique, we’re sure you’ll find the perfect option on this list.

Small Cafe Menu Ideas: 6 Ways to Bring in Big Business

Small Cafe

Running a café is not for the faint of heart. You’re in charge of everything from making sure customers are happy to ensuring that all your employees are adequately trained and that your menu is always fresh and exciting.

To help you get started on the right foot with your café, here are six tips for planning out a successful menu:

Take a good look around

Now, take a good look around. What are your competitors doing? How can you improve on what they’re doing? How can you differentiate yourself from them? If there’s a new restaurant or store opening up in your area, how will that affect your business?

Get social (media)

Social media is an important tool for small businesses. Thankfully, it’s also a tool that’s easy to understand and use. To get the most out of social media as a small business owner, make sure you’re doing the following things:

  • Promote your business on social media
  • Engage with customers who follow you
  • Get feedback from customers about your products/services
  • Make sure you’re posting high-quality content regularly
  • Know your customers

Be creative with your pre/post-rush hour offerings

Offer a special menu for pre and post-rush hour. This is where you can really get creative with your offerings. What do people crave when they’re rushing to work? What do they want once they’re satiated from their morning cup of joe?

Offer a special menu for the weekend. What do people like to eat when it’s Friday night? Saturday afternoon? Sunday brunch?

Offer a special menu for the holidays. This is something that big chains often do, so if you want to stand out from the competition, think about how you can offer something unique in this category too!

Offer a special menu for summertime activities (BBQs and cookouts) or winter weather conditions (hot chocolate).

Cafe Menu

Don’t be afraid to change up your menu

Don’t be afraid to try new things. If you have a good idea, don’t hesitate to put it out there. Your customers will appreciate it, and if something doesn’t work, you can always change your mind later.

If you decide that your current menu just isn’t working as well as it could be, don’t worry about changing everything at once—make one small alteration at a time so that customers have time to adjust their expectations.

Instead of just increasing prices across the board by 10%, try raising them on some items first (such as those that are more expensive) before making changes elsewhere. This way, people won’t feel like they’re being taken advantage of or being ripped off by having their most expensive items raised in price by 20%.

You might find that people start ordering less food overall after this initial increase but spend more money per order—a win-win situation!

With just a little bit of creativity, you can create something that works for your business and helps bring in new customers. Just remember not to overdo it on the specials because then you’ll end up losing money instead of making it!

Factors To Know Before Choosing An Indoor Or Outdoor Wedding

Outdoor Wedding

One of the events you look forward to the most in life is getting married. A marriage also marks the beginning of a new phase in your life. Choosing between an indoor or outdoor wedding is one of the key decisions you’ll have to make during the planning process. Therefore, you might want to evaluate the considerations and factors of the wedding location before choosing between an indoor venue and an outdoor venue. So depending on your requirements, you can choose an indoor or outdoor wedding.

Considerations for an indoor wedding

The weather won’t bother you

You won’t have to stress about the weather, which is one of the main benefits of an indoor wedding location. You won’t have to bother about the humidity and heat spoiling your makeup and hair if you get married in the midst of the summer. Likewise, you won’t need to be concerned about the wind and weather ruining your special day if you choose to get wedded in the winter season.

Artificial lighting

You may adjust the lighting for an indoor wedding to create the ideal mood. You can turn some lights down and light a few candles to create a romantic and private atmosphere. Or, if you like, you can add more lighting and cheery touches like lanterns or string lights to create a more festive environment. When it comes to lights in an indoor wedding location, the options are virtually unlimited.

indoor wedding

Limited space and views

You won’t have much of a view of nature unless your indoor location has floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto a beautiful environment. Additionally, it could be challenging to locate an indoor venue that matches your aesthetic and your guest count if you’re planning a large wedding with, say, more than 400 guests.

Considerations for an outdoor wedding

The landscape itself is the best decor

If the wedding is outdoors, the scenery could serve as your decor. There will constantly be a view that’s attractive to the eye, whether you desire to hold an outdoor wedding in your own yard, on a beach, or on a hillside, mountain, or valley. But be aware that stunning scenery frequently comes with a threat of rain and strong gusts that could ruin your wedding.

Inquire about restrictions and permissions

It’s not always necessary to obtain a permit to get married outdoors. However, you might need one if you want to have many guests or if you want to book a certain space for a set period of time. Additionally, you should find out whether there are any limitations on audio input, noise legislation, or even the size of tents and canopies.

Countless opportunities for entertainment

There are countless options for entertainment and activities during outdoor weddings! You can therefore add more excitement to your wedding since you are not limited to an interior location. You may, for instance, set up a separate location where your guests can go horseback riding, enjoy cocktails, or even listen to a live band.

Buffet-Style Wedding Reception – Wedding Menu Ideas

Buffet-Style Wedding

Buffet-style wedding receptions are a popular way to accommodate large wedding parties and allow guests to choose their meals from various options. That’s not all buffets can do, though; they also help cater to different tastes and lifestyles.

While American fare is always a safe bet, today’s modern couples are looking for something more exciting than just chicken and mashed potatoes—and that’s where buffet-style weddings come into play!

wedding parties

Easily accommodate large wedding parties, and they give guests options

Buffet-style receptions are becoming a popular choice for many couples because they can easily accommodate large wedding parties and give guests options. A buffet-style reception is great for informal or formal events.

As you begin to plan your menu, it’s important to consider your budget and what’s going to work best with your guest list. The most important thing is that you stick with the theme of your wedding so that everything matches together nicely.

Traditional American fare is always a good bet

When planning your menu, remember that traditional American cuisine is always a good bet. Traditional American fare is easy to make in large quantities and can be made affordable by purchasing ingredients in bulk.

Additionally, it’s something everyone will recognize and eat easily. You don’t have to worry about guests being unfamiliar with the food or complaining about it being too spicy for them!

The best part? You can easily make most of these dishes in advance, so you’re not stuck cooking all day on your wedding day.

Comfort foods are making a comeback and offer your guests a familiar, homey feel

So, what if you want to serve a buffet-style wedding reception but don’t want to go off the beaten path? Let’s talk about comfort foods!

Comfort foods are making a comeback and offer your guests a familiar, homey feel. These foods are typically easy to eat with one hand while standing up or walking around (and they’re also delicious).

They can be made in large quantities ahead of time so that your caterer can keep everything on their trays warm until it’s time for guests to grab their food. The best part about these classic dishes is that everyone already knows how they taste—so there aren’t any surprises!

For example, chicken noodle soup, meatloaf sandwiches and chocolate chip cookies are all surefire hits at any wedding reception.

Ethnic foods are a delicious way to spice things up

Many guests will eat anything, but others like to be more adventurous with their meals. Ethnic foods are often more interesting than traditional American fare and can be found in grocery stores.

Ethnic restaurants also serve ethnic dishes and may offer catering services as well.

Ethnic foods

For Italian flair, consider pasta dishes or grilled bruschetta

If you want to give your guests an authentic Italian experience, consider pasta dishes or grilled bruschetta. You can also choose a more international approach by including different types of pasta, such as mac and cheese, lasagna and cannelloni.

We hope you’ve found some inspiration for your wedding menu! We know that it can seem overwhelming, but don’t forget that the best way to ensure success is to keep things simple and choose dishes that are easy to prepare. Remember the adage: “Keep it simple, stupid.”

A Must-Know Guide To Corporate Event Planning

Corporate Event

Corporate events are an essential part of doing business. They give you a chance to show clients, partners and employees how much you care about them by treating them to a fun-filled day they’ll never forget.

But if you’ve ever been tasked with planning one yourself, you know that it can be a stressful process. From choosing the right venue and creating an event budget to finding out who’s attending and what their interests are—there’s a lot that goes into making sure your next corporate event is successful!

To help out fellow planners and make sure your next event goes off without a hitch, here are some tips on how to get everything together before opening night:

Understand Your Purpose

A good event planner should always be able to answer the following questions:

  • Why are you doing this?
  • What is the goal of your event?
  • What are your event objectives?
  • Who is the audience you are trying to reach?

If you do not know why you’re hosting the event, how can you expect anyone else to care about attending it or coming back in future years (if they can even remember it at all)?

Create a Budget

To begin, it’s important to create a budget and stick to it. There are many tools that can help you do this—just remember, no matter how much you’re making, don’t forget to consider the cost of travel!

This is also true for food and drinks. If your event is taking place at an off-site location, you’ll want to take into account all costs associated with where it will be held (hotel fees if your attendees are staying overnight).

Choose a Venue

The next step is to choose a venue that meets the needs of your event. To do this, you should consider things like whether it’s close to attendees and whether there’s enough space for them all. You will also want to look at additional factors like cost and accessibility.

your event

Set a Date

Once you’ve picked a date, you’ll need to make sure that it works for everyone involved in the planning process. Make sure the date is far enough in advance. If your event is only a few weeks away, then everyone will be scrambling to get things done and there won’t be much time left for planning. This can lead to mistakes and other problems down the road.

Use these tips to plan your next corporate event, and maybe you’ll be the one someone looks to for advice. Now that you know the ins and outs of corporate event planning, it’s time to put your knowledge into practice. Even if you’re a rookie in this field, there’s no reason why your client should be unhappy with the results of their next event.

After all, if they’re happy with what you’ve done for them, they’ll probably keep coming back for more—and who knows? Maybe someday someone will call on you as an expert in this field!

5 Ways To Find The Perfect Banquet Services

Banquet Services

Planning a banquet can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right banquet services, your event can be a success. Here are five ways to find the perfect banquet services for your event.

Research

If you’re planning a banquet, the first thing you need to do is research. You need to find a venue that can accommodate your event, and you need to find a caterer that can provide the food and drinks you need. You also need to research the prices of different banquet services to get the best deal.

When researching banquet venues, you should remember the size of your event and the number of guests you’re expecting. You should also consider the type of event you’re hosting. If it’s a formal affair, you’ll want an elegant and sophisticated venue. If it’s a more casual event, you’ll want a venue that’s more relaxed and laid-back.

Compare Prices

There are a lot of different banquet halls out there, and each one charges its rates. By comparing prices, you can be sure you’re getting the best deal on your banquet hall rental.

To get started, look at a few different banquet halls in your area. Make a list of the ones that you’re interested in, and then start calling around to get pricing information. Be sure to ask about any discounts or specials available, and don’t hesitate to negotiate if you think you can get a better deal.

Once you have all of the pricing information gathered, it’s time to start comparing. Take a look at the overall cost of each venue, as well as any extras that may be included in the price. For example, some banquet halls may charge more for linens or other rentals, while others may include those items in the base price.

planning a banquet

Read Reviews

This will give you a great idea of what to expect from different companies and help you narrow down your options.

To find reviews, Google the company name + “reviews.” You can also check out review sites like Yelp or TripAdvisor. Read a mix of positive and negative reviews to get a well-rounded picture.

Check for Availability

When you are planning an event, the first step is to check for the availability of the banquet services that you are considering. The most important thing to remember is that you need to book early to get the best possible price and selection.

Make a Reservation

When finding the perfect banquet services, the first step is to make a reservation. This will ensure that you have a spot at the event and that the staff can accommodate your needs.

The next step is to choose a menu. Banquet services typically offer various menu options, so select one that will please all of your guests.

Finally, communicate any special requests or dietary restrictions to the banquet staff in advance. This will help them ensure that your event is perfect in every way.

Banquet services can be a great way to make any event memorable, so take your time and find the right provider. With some research, you’re sure to find the perfect company to make your event one to remember.

5 Things To Consider When Choosing A Catering Service

Catering Service

There are a lot of things to think about when you’re planning an event. One of the most important and often overlooked is catering. Your guests will remember the food more than anything else about your event, so it’s important to choose a catering service that can deliver great-tasting and attentive service.

Here are five things to consider when choosing a catering service for your next event:

What is your budget?

When it comes to budget, you need to consider a few things.

catering

The first is what type of event you’re having. Is it a small gathering or a large-scale event? The second is the time of day and time of year. Catering services have different price points for different times of day and seasons.

The third is the menu. What type of food do you want to be served at your event? Is it a simple buffet or a more elaborate sit-down meal?

What is the occasion?

When it comes to choosing a catering service, one of the first things you need to consider is the occasion. What kind of event are you hosting? Is it a formal affair or a more casual get-together? The occasion will help dictate the type of food and service you need.

What is your guest list?

Your guest list is one of the most important things to consider when choosing a catering service. The size of your guest list will determine the amount of food you need, the number of servers you need, and the overall cost of the catering service.

What type of food do you want to be served?

When it comes to deciding on catering for your event, one of the first things you need to consider is the type of food you want to be served. This will depend on the theme or overall tone of your event.

For example, if you are hosting a formal business lunch, you may want to stick with more traditional fares like sandwiches and salads. However, if you are throwing a party for family and friends, you may be more inclined to go with a buffet-style meal or something heartier like a BBQ.

type of food

Regardless of what type of event you are hosting, there are bound to be some great catering options out there that will suit your needs.

What is the atmosphere you want to create?

When it comes to choosing a catering service, one of the most important things to consider is the atmosphere you want to create. Do you want a casual buffet-style setting or a more formal sit-down meal? Will there be dancing and live music or just background music? What kind of decor do you want?

Your caterer should be able to help you create the atmosphere you desire. They can recommend menu items, table settings, and even entertainment options that will fit your theme. Once you have an idea of the atmosphere you want, be sure to communicate it to your caterer so they can make your vision a reality.

With these five factors in mind, you’re well on your way to choosing the perfect catering service for your next event.