A Listing of our Recommendations for Referred Resources:
With our Referral Resource Network you can handle almost any of your needs from A-Z:.
Just tell 'em you were referred by 'Rick at The Private Professionals!' :-)
Evite - A free email invitation service providing you with everything you need to track RSVP & guest attendance (including such functions as guest-list archives for past parties). Some people love it, some don't really like the total transparent quality it creates & opt. for email. Truly formal functions should of course still carry a written invitation sent via. standard mail. But evite is one alternative. Website: www.Evite.com
Balducci's - For the very best in gourmet catering, party platters, & offering a specialty market for any occasion Balducci's has a reputation that is well deserved. Founded in New York's Greenwich Village it's been in continuous operation since 1915. Balducci's expanded it's New York operation to Washington DC with the acquisition of Sutton Place Gourmet. A bit expensive, but for an upscale affair it's difficult to beat.
Website: www.balduccis.com
- Washington - 3201 New Mexico Avenue. NW, DC. (202) 363-5800.
- Bethesda - 10323 Old Georgetown Road. Bethesda, MD. (301) 564-3100.
- Alexandria - 600 Franklin Street. Alexandria, VA. (703) 549-6611.
- McLean - 6655 Old Dominion Drive. McLean, VA. (703) 448-3828.
Gourmet Markets - For a great selection of gourmet foods, standard party platters, cheeses, & prepared hors d'oeuvres please don't feel the need to run out to a formal caterer. Whole Foods or Harris Teeter offers you an excellent selection of various acumen to fill out a lovely buffet worthy of any crowd (& don't discount Sam's or Costco! Both offer a great selection of excellent prepared items that can be purchased at deep discount & go straight from the box to the oven to the buffet).
A listing of Whole Foods area locations follows...
- Logan Circle - 1440 'P' Str. NW DC.
- Georgetown - 2323 Wisconsin Ave. NW DC
- Tenley Town - 4530 40th Str. NW DC.
- Arlington - 2700 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA.
- Alexandria - 6548 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria, Va.
- Falls Church - 7511 Leesburg Pike. Falls Church, Va.
- Vienna - 143 Maple Ave. East. Vienna, Va.
- Bethesda - 5269 River Rd. Bethesda, MD.
- Rockville - 1649 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD.
- Silver Spring - 833 Wayne Ave., S.S. MD.
Best Cellars - For a basic, down to earth, & easy to understand wine market Best Cellars initiated a fairly revolutionary concept by organizing their store by the characteristic of taste instead of by region. Perhaps not suited to the true fanatic, they do offer a great sampling of some very nice labels none the less.
Website: www.BestCellars.com
- Dupont - 1643 Connecticut Ave. NW DC. (202) 387-3146.
- Clarendon - 2855 Clarendon Blvd. Arlington, Va. (703) 741-0404.
Rick's Wine Gourmet - Offering Alexandria's best selection of fine wine & gourmet foods 3117 Duke St. Alexandria, VA. (between Quaker & Telegraph). Phone: (703) 823-4600.
Just ask for Terry Wight & he'll take excellent care of you.
Calvert Woodley Fine Wine & Spirits - Offering a great selection of fine wine w/ a very helpful staff. 4339 Connecticut Ave. NW DC. Phone: (202) 966-4400. Website: www.calvertwoodley.com
Cake Love - One of the area’s most charismatic bakers. It was recently profiled in ‘Inc. Magazine’ as a visionary ‘up & coming’ company. Located on U Street just down from Adam’s Morgan & in the downtown complex of Silver Spring.
Website: www.CakeLove.com
Pastries by Randolph - A European style bakery & one of Northern Virginia's more tasty institutions. 4500 Lee Highway. Arlington, Va. Phone: (703)243-0070.
Entertainment (music) - I used to run one of the best Blues clubs in the city so I know good talent when I see it. In that, I'd like to offer one of my highest recommendations to "The Thomas Project." I was at a party where these guys played & they were absolutely fantastic. One of the best bands in the region & good for almost any venue. To book an event or find out where they'll be playing (they play in several pubs & clubs around the area) please call Larry Thomas at (703) 594-3786.
Allied Party Rentals - Party Supply & Rentals (glassware, stemware, china, chaffing dishes, tents, tables, & chairs. You name it, they’ve got it).Online: AlliedPartyRentals.com
Reliable Limousine, Inc. - Just ask for Greg Clark (Driver) & tell them you were referred by Rick of The Private Professionals. Phone: (301) 622-5900.
Website: www.ReliableLimo.com
Special Event Videography - For a 'highly' recommended videographer, contact Susana Travieso at (202) 294-2245. Website: www.eye4video.com
Additional Resources:
Martha Stewart: Her seasonal party guide is one of the very best resources on the market for great ideas & imaginative decorations. Besides, it's Martha Stewart… ;-) Website: www.marthastewart.com
Ina Garten (The Barefoot Contessa) - She’s got her own cable show, four cookbooks, & has owned one of the top catering companies in The Hamptons for over 20 years. Her call to arms is to make entertaining as simple as possible & do as much as you can ahead of time. Website: www.barefootcontessa.com
Epicurean - Used by many industry insiders, Epicurean offers an enormous listing of recipes as well as wine tastings, book reviews, tips on cooking & hosting a personal affair. Website: www.epicurean.com
Washingtonian Magazine’s Complete Wedding Guide - An excellent resource for the DC area, & although its focus is directed to weddings it’s a good resource for any venue. And yes, this includes our direct competition, but we feel confident that you’ll want the best in a personalized party service & this is without question The Private Professionals. Website changes constantly so please just Google "Washingtonian Wedding Guide"