Tables of Content

Summertime Entertaining

2011-06-27T14:11:00.000-07:00

Summertime entertaining in Texas is always a challenge, especially if you are planning a summer wedding. Outside weddings are practically impossible because of the heat and guests want to get inside from their cars as quickly as possible into the cool of air conditioning.

Even though you event is inside, meals take on a special summertime lightness. Lots of salads and fresh vegetables, lighter sauces on meats and a touch of sweetness and fruit for dessert goes a long way.

One of Chef Miguel Riojas’ favorite ways to begin a meal is with a chilled fruit soup. Chef Miguel has a beautiful soup that will appeal to all of the women and be substantial and tasty enough to make men forget they ever thought they shouldn’t eat it!

Chilled Mango Soup with Lime and Shrimp Pico de Gallo

Serves 4

For the Soup:

Ripe Mangos (2 Haden mangos, the large smooth skinned multi-colored mangos, or 4 of the smaller yellow Altaulfo mangos)

Juice of 2 limes

2 Cups Chilled Vegetable or Chicken Stock (boxed or bouillon is fine)

For the Soup:

Place mangos, lime juice and ½ stock in a blender. Turn on and process until mixture is very smooth; the texture should be like that of cream, adding more stock as needed to achieve proper consistency. Place in a bowl and chill.

For the Salsa:

2 Tomatoes, diced, outer flesh only (discard inner seeds)

2 Jalapeños or your preferred chili, diced, outer flesh only (discard inner seeds)

2 Tablespoons Cilantro, diced

2 Tablespoons Purple Onions, diced

2 Cloves Garlic, crushed and diced

Juice of 2 limes

8 Shrimp, peeled and diced

Dice the tomatoes, cilantro, chilis, onions and garlic. Toss with lime juice and taste; correct seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Add shrimp.

Place soup in bowls or fluted glass parfait cups and top with a heaping tablespoon of the Shrimp Pico de Gallo. Garnish with a lime wheel or a wedge on the side of the bowl and serve.

Chilled Mango Soup with Shrimp Pico de Gallo

This is so refreshing and unexpected. It is a perfect hot-weather alternative to another salad, while the sharpness of the mango really whets the appetite for what is to come. And, of course, for those with sensitivities to seafood or who are vegetarian, this can easily accommodate all without any sacrifice to flavor or presentation.

Another idea that we have seen a lot of recently is Brides who want to have the evening continue after the traditional cutting of the cake. With all of the “obligations” done once the cake is cut, many couples are looking for another reason to have guests stay around and extend the celebration. What works better than offering your guests a chance to have a first-class coffee experience and a dessert table?

Working with one of our favorite suppliers, we offer a beautiful made-to-order coffee experience for your party, whether it is 30 people or 300. Baristas arrive with espresso machines, Italian syrups and sodas and make whatever anyone wants. Hot Caramel Macchiato or Iced Double Mocha with Sugar Free Vanilla Syrup? Certainly. Also available are the decadently devilish additions of white and dark chocolate covered teaspoons and sugar sticks to stir your coffee, bowls of whipped cream and chocolate curls along with shakers of cinnamon, chocolate, and salted caramel powder. Who can say no to that?

To go with your coffee and after wedding cake, extending your guests time with you in a joyous way, think about a summer dessert table, featuring miniature pastries. Options are endless, but all enjoyable. Lemon bars, miniature chocolate chunk cookies, creampuff swans, éclairs, macaroons, and bowls of perfectly ripe summer berries with double cream or lemon curd are perfect final touches that will send your guests away with sweet memories of an evening that no one wanted to end.

Dessert Table as a Central Centerpiece

Wedding Cakes - What do you want to say?

2011-04-11T15:17:00.000-07:00

Wedding Cakes are sensational, memorable and meaningful. Steeped in traditions millennia old, each bride has the choice of following one of the many traditions and rituals of brides before or setting out on a bold new path to create her own statement and showcase a personality that speaks out for something bold.

In Roman times, the bride would take a loaf of bread and break it over the brides head (in pieces, not like a baseball bat!), with each crumb signifying the blessings of fertility, wealth, health and happiness. With the change of baking capabilities and the arrival of sweeteners and sugar during the Renaissance, the form of the modern cake took shape, though it took Queen Victoria to bring about the revolution in wedding cakes that we still follow today. What was that? Queen Victoria popularized the All White Wedding with the white tiered wedding cake we know today.

Photo of the wedding cake of Queen Elizabeth II

What we would not recognize in America, however, is that most British wedding cakes are fruit cakes! Remember the tradition of saving the top layer? That is also British. The top, smallest layer was originally saved because it would be eaten at the christening of the child from this union, which would usually be within the first year! And a fruit cake is perfect to keep – and actually improve – with time. Do you think that tradition has gone away? No, because at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, will have two cakes – one to be at the choosing of the bride and groom, and the second – a multi-tiered traditional fruit cake decorated with cream and white icing - that will be created by designer Fiona Cairns, a cake-maker to the stars (http://www.fionacairns.com).

Modern Wedding Cake

So, at your wedding, what statement will you make? What does your cake say about the Bride and Groom at the beginning of their lives together?

CONGRATULATIONS to our WINNER!

2011-04-11T15:00:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to MINDY TRINIDAD for stopping by our booth at the Lake Houston Bridal Show on Sunday, March 27th and signing up for our drawing. Mindy won a One Night Stay in a One Bedroom Suite, Complimentary Parking and Breakfast for Two in the Omaha Steakhouse.

Mindy is planning a March 2012 Wedding.

If you or someone you know is looking to host a beautiful party or reception then give me a call. My direct number is 713.586.5129 or you my email me at piperh@sheratonhouston.com

Lake Houston Bridal Show

2011-03-25T10:29:00.000-07:00

Come see us and register to WIN a one night stay!! This Sunday, March 27th from 12 noon - 5pm at the 6th Annual Lake Houston Bridal Show at the Hilton Houston North. http://www.lakehoustonbridalshow.com/
Tickets are $8 in advance online or $10 cash at the door

What are your wedding traditions?

2011-03-01T14:41:00.000-08:00

Wedding Traditions are a way of passing down history from generation to generation. In the hotel, we are part of a world of traditions that our brides and grooms follow and in which we get to participate. We are always thrilled to help “tie the knot” or “cross the threshold”, phrases for a wedding which have made it into our language and signify the permanence and grace of agreements and unions.

Have you ever been to a Henna Party for a Hindu or Muslim wedding? The bride is presented to guests and then proceeds to receive elaborate temporary Henna tattoos which she will wear through the wedding night ceremonies.

Jewish Weddings have a wedding ceremony prior to the traditional exchanging of vows in which the bride and groom read the marriage contract aloud and sign their names; these contracts, the Ketubah, are written in very decorative and formal Hebrew and are generally so beautifully written that they are framed as artwork to be displayed in their house. We have even seen Ketubah Ceremonies in which the contracts from both sets of parent’s and all fours sets of grandparent’s Ketubah were on display. Talk about Tradition!

In the United States, borrowed from Victorian England, is a rhyme with which every bride is familiar:

A bride at her wedding should wear:

Something old,
Something new,
Something borrowed,
Something blue,
And a sixpence in the shoe.

So, what are you traditions? What is it that you will do during your ceremony that will not only join bride and groom, but join your separate pasts and families and your hopes for a future filled with the five sacred wedding wishes for life – health, happiness, wealth, fertility and longevity – with a strong today? What will bring all of this into focus for you at that special moment of commitment?

Join our Newsletter!

2011-02-08T14:47:00.000-08:00

Visit our newsletter to find out about some of the exciting happenings at The Sheraton® Suites Houston. You can opt in to become receive this newsletter on a regular basis.

Valentine's Day at The Sheraton® Suites Houston Near the Galleria

2011-02-04T15:09:00.001-08:00

Here's what's happening at The Sheraton® Suites Houston Near the Galleria.....

Valentine's Weekend Dinner Package

Love is in the air at

The Sheraton® Suites Houston Near The Galleria.

Reconnect with your loved one this Valentine's Day with our dinner package.

Available Friday, February 11th - Monday, February 14th,

You and your sweetheart will enjoy the following:

-A King Suite

-Complimentary self-parking (one car)

-Three Course, Prix-Fixe Dinner for two in

The Omaha Steakhouse

which will include the following meal:

Lobster Soup

Tempura Lobster Tail, Anise Creme Fraiche

Classic Caesar Salad

Croutons, Parmesan, Toasted Pepper

*****

Grilled Tenderloin

Boursin Cheese, Barley and Asparagus Gratin

Roasted Red Snapper

Braised Fennel, Spanish Olives, Preserved Lemons

*****

Chocolate Mousse Cake

Powdered Allmonds, Orange-Pineapple Salad, Basil

Classic Crème Brulée with Confetti Cookies

Alcoholic Beverages are not included

*Taxes and Gratuities Included in the Sleeping Room Rate

To make reservations call 866-713-8134 and ask for rate plan VALENTIN or visit our

website

To make dinner only reservations at $40.00 per person, exclusive of service and alcohol,

visit The Omaha™ Steakhouse to make reservations.

Creating Tomorrow's Memories Today

2011-01-28T16:31:00.000-08:00

Weddings at The Sheraton® Suites Houston have a magical feeling.

Small intimate events receive individual focus and attention from our staff to make every guest feel pampered; the same attention to detail and attitude of service will also apply to larger formal weddings, at which you and your guests will be treated to a subtly elegant service which will best express your personal tastes and preferences.

No matter your style, we can accommodate and cater to your wishes. From the decor, flowers, custom menus, ethnic foods, assistance with bands, lighting and favors, to limousines, transportation, rehearsal dinner, photographers, videographers or unforgettable wedding cakes, we can make your dreams come true. If you dream of an ice carving, it will be no problem. Custom linens and flowers that don't simply make a statement, but write volumes? No worries. Our satisfaction comes not from delivering what you order, but in coordinating an event that exceeds your expectations.

Greenbrier Ballroom

For such a life cycle event, you will be surrounded by your friends and family, people who add the color and texture to your life from the past and present and for the future. Everyone will be here to celebrate your wedding as a happy and joyous moment. Food, drink and comforting service become the language used to share such times, to offer a flavor of yourself to your guests and to thank them for their support, love and attendance. We are proud to provide many alternatives from which you may choose to best express these wishes. Receptions, seated meals or extras such as custom-made espresso and coffee bars, sushi stations or potato martini bars are only some of the things that express the unexpected and thoughtful while still giving a taste that makes everyone comfortable. Special ethnic requests or dietary restrictions do not present obstacles for us.

To enhance your wedding, we also offer the following your celebration:

A dedicated and professional Wedding Specialist to assist you with every detail

The Greenbrier Salon is located discretely apart from the main hotel, allowing you and your guests an exclusivity of the space for the evening

Banquet facilities to accomodate every size party, from the most intimate to the grand, up to 300 guests

Custom wedding packages designed with your enjoyment in mind

A Champagne Toast is complimentary for you and your guests

Ample self-parking

Discounted Valet parking

Special rates for sleeping rooms for your guests

Deluxe accommodations for the Bride and Groom, with Champagne and Chocolate Covered Strawberries in your room to begin your honeymoon

As a member of the Sheraton Hotels & Resorts family of hotels, the team of professionals at The Sheraton Suites Houston eagerly anticipates welcoming you and your guests into our home. From the Starwood Preferred Guest® Program to the many special touches that we offer at the hotel, our team is focused on providing you with the best of service, atmosphere and value.

Contact us to discuss the many possibilities that exist to create a full proposal which most completely addresses your special needs. We will look forward to discussing the possibilities of serving you to make your wedding dreams a reality.

At Sheraton®, you belong.