ABOUT OUR BLOG

Welcome to Ellie's Table's official blog, where you'll find a chronicle of our cuisine and local events. Experience Homemade Happiness at Ellie's Table.  Our chefs use only the finest ingredients and the freshest produce available to create unique menus for each event. 

Text reading 'SERVING SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA U.S.A.' arranged in an arch shape.

National Girlfriends Day Dinner Celebration Inspiration

This National Girlfriends Day we’ve partnered with one of our favorite local lifestyle bloggers, Hayley McBride, to host a fun, all-girls get together at our cafe. We collaborated closely with awesome female owned businesses like Fleur-ish and The Pop Shop to bring this tropical summer soiree to life. Stunning shades of orange and pink roses, peonies, ranunculus and anthurium from Fleur-ish decorated the tabletops, bar shelves and dinner buffet while palm leaves acted as a table runner underneath it all. Tropical philodendron leaves marked each place setting where dinner menus were placed, and light pink linen napkins sat knotted. The party was poppin’ – literally. A balloon installation from The Pop Shop decorated our bamboo photo backdrop where Hayley’s friends took pictures after ‘poppin’ champagne at the Mimosa bar upon their entry. Orange, cranberry and peach juice acted as mimosa mixers and garnishes varied between blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, pineapple and mini drink umbrellas. Small bites from the hors d’oeuvres station including our Cheese Platter with an assortment of brie, gouda, smoked gouda, port wine and sage derby, pepper jack, havarti and mustard seed ale and Mediterranean Platter with caprese skewers, prosciutto de parma, mozzarella, kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, roasted vegetables, pita triangles and hummus dip were enjoyed before taking their seats for dinner. A light, summery menu of Lemon Thyme Chicken, Oven Roasted Heirloom Carrots, Summer Spinach & Berry Salad and Summer in Tuscany Pasta Salad was placed out buffet style by Ellie’s Table. While the girls were eating, Hayley asked that everyone write down 11 affirmations (one for each girl in attendance) and place them into the mason jars she put together in front of their plates. “You are enough” and “You’re going to rock today” are just some of the many affirmations shared between the girls. The affirmation jars are meant to be opened when you’re feeling down and could use a boost of encouragement on a rainy day. After empowering one another with affirmations, our Tropical Dessert Station with Pina Colada Key Lime Dessert Shots, Pineapple Upside Down Cakes, Tropical Fruit Tarts with Mango Cream and Mini Coconut Capped Bavarian Cupcakes was unveiled to add even more sweetness to the evening. The desserts went fast, but the friendships will last a lifetime after this National Girlfriends Day event.

Venue: Ellie’s Table // Catering: Ellie’s Table // Host: Hayley McBride // Planning: Jay’s Catering // Florist: Fleur-ish // Balloon Install: The Pop Shop

National Girlfriends Day dinner table decorated with tropical flowers
Chalkboard welcome sign for the National Girlfriends Day dinner at Ellie’s Table
Guests raising glasses at the dinner
Café shelves decorated with flowers and beverage bottles
Pink balloon installation beside a tropical photo backdrop
Guests gathered at the mimosa bar
Orange and pink floral centerpiece on the dinner table
Eight friends posing together at the dinner
Tropical dinner tablescape with flowers and palm leaves
Antipasto spread with olives, cheese, cured meat, fruit, and vegetables
Guest pouring red juice at the mimosa bar
Woman standing beside the flower-decorated café shelves
Guests clinking glasses beside the pink balloon display
Guest serving food from the dinner buffet
Dinner table set with tropical greenery and bright flowers
Two guests talking beside the balloon display
Place setting with flowers, a menu, and an affirmation jar
Dinner buffet beneath a sign reading “She created a life she loved”
Tuscany pasta salad on the dinner buffet
Lavender lemonade dispenser on the beverage table
Oven-roasted carrots on the dinner buffet
Lemon and thyme chicken on the dinner buffet
Spinach and berry salad in a copper serving bowl
Guest filling her plate at the buffet
Guest carrying a plate of pasta from the buffet
Affirmation jar beside a bright floral centerpiece
Two women talking across the dinner table
Guest writing an affirmation at the dinner table
Woman smiling at the flower-filled dinner table
Friends laughing together around the dinner table
Hand holding an affirmation jar in front of pink balloons
Tropical dessert station with fruit tarts and dessert shots
Guest selecting a treat from the tropical dessert station
Friends gathered around the dessert station
Friends celebrating beside the dessert display
Rows of key lime dessert shots
Pineapple upside-down cakes topped with cherries at the dessert station
Woman choosing a dessert from the display
Fruit tart topped with strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries
Woman carrying a tray of dessert shots
Guest laughing in front of the pink balloon backdrop
Guests gathered around the decorated dinner table inside Ellie’s Table