East Meets West Catering

They catered my son’s wedding. The food was outstanding (including appetizers, sirloin, Chilean sea bass, and mushroom ravioli), the service was great, and they were very reasonably priced.

I recently used EMW for my husband’s 40^th bday party on our roofdeck for about 30 people. I requested a menu of passed hors d’oeuvres and a bartender. First, I had emailed a few places and EMW was one of two that actually emailed me back. Second, they came in at almost ½ the cost of another reputable catering company! I worked directly with Mary on the menu and she was great at adjusting and provided great recommendations based on my menu requests. Third, the on-​site staff was terrific, professional, and super efficient. They arrived early and was well prepared for the night. I let them loose in my kitchen and didn’t have to lift a finger– they handled everything seamlessly, including preparing and bringing up items I had prepared on my own, including the birthday cake and cutting it! The bartender was fabulous – she somehow remembered everyone’s names AND drinks! And she often came up on the roofdeck to get people’s drink orders instead of just standing behind the bar to wait for orders. Fourth, the food and presentation was FABULOUS! Everyone ranted and raved about the food. I knew i over-​ordered because I was so paranoid about having enough food– and they brought containers for leftovers! Fifth– they cleaned up everything and left my kitchen as it was when they arrived. In addition, they even cleaned up throughout the night, collecting empty glasses, plates, etc. We’ve thrown a few parties and this was the least amount of cleanup I had to do. We will definitely be using EMW in the future and would highly recommend them to anyone!

Unilocal’s editorial when you hit the «5 star» button is «Woohoo! As good as it gets!» and that sums up just about how I feel regarding the food and service I received on my wedding day from EMW. I had contacted them about 6 weeks prior to my 85-​guest lunch buffet wedding, after I attended another (highly regarded on Unilocal) caterer in the area and had a very mediocre tasting with them. I quickly called EMW (in a panic, I won’t lie) — as I knew that I wanted high quality food and presentation and anyone decent probably had a booked calendar given it was the start of wedding/​graduation season. Plus, I was very taken aback at the tasting I had just experienced at my first choice caterer… who was a really nice person but offered meh fine food more along the lines of standard chain restaurant quality, freshness and originality.
At EMW I was assigned Beth who assured me they could cater us, and a few days later my fiancé and I trekked out to their location in whereversville Boston to some sort of warehouse where the kitchen miracles happen. We LOVED our tasting there — the exec chef came out and explained each dish, chicken, salmon, the most fantastic version of quinoa salad I have ever had, and gorgeous apps as well (if you are not adventurous, don’t be taken aback but try what they suggest, the cured beef on lotus root is super delicious) we crossed our fingers and hoped we could get as good for our wedding… and we were not disappointed! They were on point with every single detail, but it wasn’t just about the amazing food — the wedding cake people they work with produced a stunning cake in 3 flavors, wrapped the leftovers for us, decorated it with gorgeous blooms that they remembered to do because I totally spaced out that detail — they found the most gigantic peony for the top, remembering details such as I said I would probably have peonies in my bouquet, pakcaged all leftovers for us to take home, sent a manager and several staff on hand to arrange everything — setting up tables, quick change when rain brought us indoors, etc… and they were maybe 5−8% higher than the quote we received for the mediocre caterer. I strongly and without hesitation can say to anyone considering them, you will be taken care of in the most professional and delicious way.
I did not think I would have thrown as casually elegant and beautiful a wedding as I ended up throwing, to be perfectly frank, and EMW pretty much made that happen for me.

5 Stars is an understatement. Truly.
I looked around Unilocal and got quotes and menus from several places. EMW came out on top (as well as in responsiveness).
I contacted Phil at EMW a mere 3 weeks before the wedding and it was PERFECT! Phil totally alleviated any anxiety or concerns — In fact, I started to worry that it was all so easy!!! He made menu suggestions, and given his enthusiasm about the choices, I did not even feel compelled to taste anything before hand. He had an calm demeanor –yet seemed very excited to be doing this. He made me feel very special. He stopped by the week prior to the wedding (it was in my home) and (unbeknownst to me) stopped by the day of to make sure everything was in order.
The day of the event I left to get hair done and returned to a bustling wedding central. A few last minute questions and I left to get dressed.
The staff was unbelievably fantastic!!! The manager, Gaviston («Gavi») was super attentive to every detail. I found a plate of food in my hand ever so often (Or I probably would not have eaten!!). A fresh drink was always ready for me. Cynthia did an outstanding job with the food– I got soooo many compliments (which was significant since the food was very important to me). Honestly, I don’t know of too many weddings I have been to where I could recall the food– never mind felt compelled to compliment anyone on it! The presentation rocked as well! Roberto was terrific as well– catering to my 90 year old mother in law (she said she had never eaten so much and so well– and she told me «that nice young man kept bringing me food!!»). He seemed to appear every few minutes with another tray of appetizers. He was appropriate on every level with my guests (and so very polite). I have to say — Gavi, Cynthia and Roberto truly felt like family and looked like they were enjoying being there just as much as the guests! In retrospect, that makes a HUGE difference.
And (drumroll please), when they left, it was as they had never been. All my glasses (and there were many!!!) were all washed and put back in storage boxes (I’m sure they are used to just putting the rented glasses in the racks and calling it a day, but, since they were my own, they WASHED them!!!). Leftover food was packed-​up, labeled and put away. Since I arranged my own rentals, I had the luxury of letting everyone linger without a deadline.
I cannot recommend them highly enough and would totally encourage anyone in need of a catered event to call them with confidence. We are considering an anniversary party!
I am extraordinarily fortunate to have found them (thanks fellow Unilocalers!!!)

I hired them for my cocktail reception wedding for 60 people, never having worked with a caterer before, and they were WONDERFUL. I was recommended three catering companies by a family friend who’s in the wedding business, and I picked EMW because aside from being the most affordable, Phil who I worked with was by FAR the most friendly and helpful. Most caterers wouldn’t give me the time of day because I wasn’t throwing a $ 10,000+ wedding. Phil met up with us and was in close communication on a regular basis, and asked me questions often on making choices based on our budget and kept me updated with new quotes when I would add or subtract things from the menu.
We had a cocktail style reception with hors d’oeuvres to go with our party size and budget, and when you meet with a caterer and they tell you that you won’t have to do a THING but show up and enjoy yourself, you kind of assume they’re exaggerating and while there will be some work on your end organizing things. But we LITERALLY did not have to do a thing but show up and enjoy ourselves. I’d assume it costs a little more to do rentals and things like that through them but SO worth it when they are packing up dishes for you and sending them off at the end of your party.
The food was wonderful and we got so many compliments, not only on the quality of the food by our guests, but by my family who’s house was hosting the party on how great the service was on the caterers end. This is such a huge relief when someone else is opening up their home that the professionals you hire are SO professional. They are our heroes!
Thank you so much Phil and EMW!
–Elize and Brendan

East Meets West was the catering company for my sister’s wedding and they were fabulous! Not only was the food delicious but the staff was top notch. They were so helpful and kind to our wedding party and very polite and welcoming to the guests. They made sure both the bride and groom had what they needed before and during the wedding and helped us efficiently pack up everything at the end of the night. All the food from the appetizers to the buffet items were fabulous. Everything was perfect! I would highly recommend them!

I have been using East Meets West for over 15 years. Their food is delicious and the team is always professional and excellent. Frank McNichols is a wonder — always fun and engaging. I love their coconut shrimp, and mini roast beef in Yorkshire pudding — but I’ve always had success with all their food.

I used EMW catering for the welcome party the night before my wedding for about 100 people. I worked with Mary, and she was absolutely amazing. She showed me some very unique (and affordable venues) and ultimately picked One Financial center, which was great. Mary took care of all the decorations and the place looked amazing. Mary also made the planning process incredibly easy and she was quick to respond to my questions/​requests. The food was absolutely delicious. We had a stationary display with steak, chimichurri sauce, cous cous and roasted asparagus, so good. We also had passed hors d’oeuvres and all of them were delicious (mini clam chowder, veggie taquitos, spring rolls, spicy shrimp). The waiters at the event were phenomenal and incredibly attentive. I would highly recommend working with them!

I used East Meets West for my wedding in 2006. We met with them in their shop in South Boston and sampled the food, wedding cakes, chose linens and dishes. We were blown away by their customer service! If we had any questions, they promptly answered. The food was fantastic! We also had them do our wedding cake, which was beautiful and delicious. They were more than a caterer though. We had our wedding at the Cohasset Lighthouse Keeper’s residence and they set up everything. They set all of the tables and even told the dj, etc. where to set up. We used their bartender as well. We had zero complaints.

As good as it gets! Excellent, personalized service, fabulous food, flexibility, and elegant presentations. Phil can make things happen and they are all good things.

First and foremost, the most important factor for a caterer is the food, and it was incredible. Every single one of our guests thought that their dinner was delicious; they said that it was as good as going to a good restaurant in Boston or New York. The woman with whom we worked, Beth, was very pleasant and easy to work with. However, the family dynamic was explained, especially the need to keep the couple involved with the planning; yet, there was no communication from the caterer (to the couple) for over six months, until two weeks before the wedding. (Instead, all decisions and communication was directed towards the bride’s mother.)
The wait staff and bartenders were very efficient and unobtrusive, and extremely professional. The bride always had a waiter ensuring that she had everything she wanted.
Overall, East Meets West is very expensive. However, if you can afford it, the food is definitely worth it.

Simply amazing!!! Delicious! Very friendly and professional staff! Two thumbs up!

I have worked with East Meets West on a number of work events serving between 150 – 300 people. I can’t speak highly enough of them.
From the beginning of the process, my guide was Mary Schlaff. Mary is unfailingly helpful and a delightful person to work with. The team at my work is highly demanding and detail-​oriented, and Mary proved to be flexible, professional, and able to take the team’s feedback and run with it.
We had many last minute changes that could have been an issue at other places but were not a problem with Mary. Anything we needed, Mary found a way to do it.
The presentation and food were rave-​worthy at our events, with many people coming up and asking who had done the catering. The food is inventive without being too out-​there, and tastes fresh.
The price — I will say that we are a small organization and Mary worked with our very tight budget to put on beyond-​successful events. We got a lot of bang for our buck; there was plentiful food and the décor was lovely. They are very willing to make it work for you.
The service at the events — wonderful. Friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. I worked with the event manager and spoke with several servers and was extremely impressed.
Five stars wholeheartedly. Hope I get to work with them again

We have used EMW for a number of events in the past year or so at our office at a local university. Extremely expensive. Food OK. A recent dinner for 25 cost almost $ 3,000 with add-​on charges (rental equipment $ 1,000???), etc. Food was $ 40 per person plus a 9 hours of chef time at $ 40/​hour. Doesn’t the food cost include cooking it? If you have to use this place get a quote first and hold them to it.

East Meets West is just phenomenally good. They catered our wedding this weekend, and we were blown away by the amazing, delicious, and beautifully presented food, and by their attentive, courteous service. What most impressed us about EMW though is the wonderful, delightful, and amazingly sweet Brenda Stern. Brenda was our trusty guide through the long project of wedding planning, and helped us navigate the worlds of flatware and table cloths, lanterns and color schemes, main courses and salads. She did all of this with a great sense of both our budget and our aesthetic preferences. Thank you EMW for a beautiful night, and thank you Brenda for everything.

East Meets West catered my wedding in 2005 and the food was so delicious. Brenda Yakouboff Stern was kind, fun and worked well with other vendors and helped us save money.

Usually while I’m DJing events with hors devours I have to chase down a server in order to get my food fix, but at press opening of H&M’s new Newbury Street location a lovely lady from East Meets West brought me a WHOLE PLATE of tasty morsels after they had sopped serving the food. Needless to say it hit the spot at 8pm with no dinner in my stomach, plus the selection of Asian/​American mashups was creative and tasty. Thanks for remembering the DJ East Meets West!

I just used EMW for a party for 30 — 35 people. They are reasonably priced, the staff was great, and the food was excellent and plentiful. they showed up on time the day of the event and were set up and ready to go with no fuss. They specialize in a lot of Asian foods with an American twist or vice-​versa. The event coordinator who helped me was very helpful and patient. I would highly recommend them.