At HMD Bar & Grill, we don’t just change our décor with the seasons—we transform our entire menu and drink list to highlight peak flavors, colors, and textures. Your engagement celebration can feature exclusive dishes and cocktails available only during specific months, ensuring that your event feels fresh, timely, and uniquely yours. Whether it’s a midwinter soirée by candlelight or a sun-dappled spring luncheon, our rotating lineup keeps every celebration distinct.
Seasonal Dining Spotlights
• Early Spring Morel Mushroom Tartine
– Locally foraged morels sautéed in garlic-thyme butter on house-baked sourdough, finished with crème fraîche and shaved pecorino. Earthy, creamy, and perfect as a shareable small plate.
• Midsummer Grilled Peach & Burrata Board
– Char-grilled stone fruit, creamy burrata, honeycomb shards, basil chiffonade, and toasted hazelnuts. A vibrant starter or light grazing option for warm evenings.
• Late Fall Venison Carpaccio
– Thinly sliced Ohio-raised venison, black trumpet mushroom vinaigrette, shaved winter truffle, arugula, and curled Parmigiano-Reggiano. Sophisticated, seasonal, and just bold enough.
• Early Winter Chestnut & Pear Soup
– Silky chestnut purée blended with roasted pear, a swirl of crème de cassis, and a dusting of nutmeg. Served warm in demitasse cups as an elegant amuse-bouche or first course.
• Holiday Spiced Chocolate Panna Cotta (December Only)
– Dark chocolate set with cinnamon, clove, and star anise, topped with candied orange peel and shortbread crumble—an indulgent finale for any festive engagement dinner.
Seasonal Cocktail Features
• Hibiscus Elderflower Collins (Spring)
– Gin, house-infused elderflower liqueur, tart hibiscus syrup, lemon juice, and soda water. Floral, effervescent, and garnished with edible petals.
• Smoked Paprika Margarita (Summer)
– Blanco tequila, charred pineapple juice, lime, smoked paprika–salt rim. A smoky-sweet riff on a favorite.
• Spiked Apple Cider Mule (Fall)
– Vodka or dark rum shaken with apple cider, ginger beer, and a dash of cinnamon bitters, served in a copper mug.
• Hot Buttered Rum Toddy (Winter)
– Dark rum, housemade spiced butter mix, hot water, and a cinnamon stick stirrer—cozy, rich, and aromatic.
Each cocktail can be ordered as an individual pour, in themed two-ounce “Taste of the Season” flights, or as part of a customizable punch bowl to serve 12–15 guests. Ask about our garnishing stations—smoked rosemary, candied citrus wheels, and herb-infused ice spheres—to elevate every glass.
Chef’s Corner: Inspiration and Insights
“Our philosophy is simple: celebrate local producers, season by season, then let those ingredients tell the story,” says Chef Marisol Vega, head of HMD’s kitchen. With roots in coastal Mediterranean cooking and a passion for Appalachian farm-to-table, she crafts engagement menus that feel personal, soulful, and—most importantly—delicious.
Chef Marisol’s Tips for Custom Celebrations:
• Dial in the Spice: “Let us adjust chilies, chiles, and heat levels so the menu reflects your guests’ preferences.”
• Spotlight a Family Recipe: “Share a cherished ingredient—like your grandmother’s preserves or your partner’s favorite regional cheese—and we’ll build an entrée or dessert around it.”
• Host a Mini Tasting: “Before your event, schedule a small tasting so we can refine seasoning, discuss plating, and ensure every bite feels just right.”
• Sustainability Focus: “Ask about our zero-waste options—impress your guests by reducing food waste through creative second-course canapés or ‘repurposed bread’ croutons.”
• Plating Personalization: “Select from matte black slates, wooden boards, or classic white china to match your aesthetic. We’ll even dust your monogram in cocoa or paprika.”
• Spice Bar Add-On: “Introduce a DIY spice shakers station—smoked salt, sumac, or Aleppo pepper—so guests can finish their dishes exactly how they like.”
Wine Pairing Recommendations
Our Sommelier, Javier Ruiz, curates a rotating by-the-glass list of 12 wines—three per season—sourced from family vineyards and organic growers. Options range from pét-nat rosés for spring, unoaked Burgundies for summer, bold Rioja Reserva for fall, to fortified ports in winter. Ask about our “Half-Bottle Flight” for three paired pours at each course.
Event Hosting Options: Flexibility and Flair
HMD Bar & Grill offers four distinct event spaces—each with its own ambiance—so you can choose the setting that best reflects your celebration style. All spaces include complimentary Wi-Fi, climate control, and guest coat check.
• Main Dining Room
– Capacity: Up to 50 seated guests.
– Features: Open kitchen views, communal long table option, adjustable overhead Edison lighting.
– Perfect for formal plated dinners or interactive family-style feasts.
• Private Banquet Room
– Capacity: 20–30 seated; 40 standing.
– Features: Floor-to-ceiling drapes, integrated sound system, riser stage for toasts or live music.
– Ideal for speeches, photo slideshows, or themed celebrations.
• Garden Patio
– Capacity: 25 seated under string lights; 35 standing.
– Features: Potted herbs and seasonal blooms, outdoor heaters (fall/winter), retractable awning.
– Great for casual cocktail receptions, lawn games, or food-truck–style grazing.
• Chef’s Table Lounge
– Capacity: 8–12 for an intimate, chef-focused experience.
– Features: Exclusive bar access, open prep station, complimentary amuse-bouche platter.
– A true insider’s view—perfect for your closest family or bridal party.
New Hosting Add-Ons
• Brunch Buffet Package: Customize mini quiches, smoked salmon bagels, French toast bites, and a mimosa & bloody mary station.
• Late-Night Bites: Mini grilled cheese and tomato soup shooters, truffle popcorn cones, sweet churro bites—served from 10 p.m. to close.
• Live Cooking Stations: Southern fried chicken & waffles, DIY taco bar, raw-bar oyster shuckers, or crepe station with sweet and savory fillings.
• Photo & Video Booth: Backdrops, polaroid prints, digital GIFs, and on-site attendant.
• Custom Lighting Design: Up-lighting, gobos with your initials, and fairy-light canopies for a magical atmosphere.
Optional Packages & Pricing Tiers
• Silver Package (Starting at $35/person): Three passed hors d’oeuvres, two entrée selections, three seasonal sides, coffee & tea station.
• Gold Package (Starting at $50/person): Four hors d’oeuvres, plated salad, three entrée choices, two family-style sides, dessert buffet, standard beverage package.
• Platinum Package (Starting at $70/person): Five hors d’oeuvres, plated first and second courses, chef’s signature entrée, artisan bread board, full dessert spread, premium open bar.
Add beverage packages by the hour or per-drink tabs; ask about corkage waivers for your curated wine list.
Community Nights and Special Collaborations
By hosting regular events centered on our neighborhood partners, HMD fosters a genuine sense of togetherness. When you book your engagement celebration, you’re invited to tap into these ongoing happenings for extra perks and unique experiences. Learn more about our engagement venue at https://hmdbarandgrill.com/events/engagement-venue/.
Weekly Community Nights
• Meatless Monday: Plant-based specials from local vegan chefs and waived service fees on communal grazing boards for booked parties.
• Taco Tuesday Takeover: Live tortilla-making demos by local masa mills—engagement guests receive a complimentary guacamole sampling.
• Wine Wednesday Tastings: Rotating guest vintners pour small-batch bottles; reserve your party on a Wednesday and enjoy waived corkage (up to two bottles).
• Trivia Thursday: Partner charities share a portion of proceeds—coordinate your engagement brunch to support a cause close to your heart.
• Friday Night Jazz & Vinyl: Spin local DJs with live saxophone; book a Friday celebration for a complimentary cheese & charcuterie upgrade.
• Sunday Jazz Brunch: Local acoustic ensembles set a laid-back tone; late-morning engagement toasts receive a free mimosa round for your bridal party.
Special Collaborations
• Farmer’s Market Takeover: Once a month, our chefs shop live at the market; engagement parties scheduled that week can request a Market Plate sampler showcasing all featured vendors.
• Brewery Partnerships: Monthly tap takeovers highlight local craft brewers; book during beer week for waived kegerator rental.
• Community Cookbook Launches: We host book-release parties for neighborhood authors—engaged couples get custom co-branded recipe cards as keepsakes.
• Charity Benefit Mixers: Align your celebration with a fundraising night; invite your guests to donate to a local nonprofit and we’ll match up to $200 in gift cards.
• Artist Spotlight Evenings: Local painters, potters, and sculptors display work on-site—reserve a gallery-style reception and receive one complimentary art piece raffle ticket per guest.
Next Steps: Reservations, Custom Touches, and Contact Info
Ready to lock in your date? Here’s how to get started—and a few ways to personalize your engagement celebration:
1. Book Your Date
• Call us at (708) 857-7910 or email [email protected].
• A refundable deposit of $100 secures your reservation; final guest count and menu selections are due two weeks before the event.
• We recommend booking at least four weeks in advance, especially for weekend evenings and holiday weekends.
2. Tailor Your Experience
• Custom Décor: Choose from a selection of table runners, centerpiece recommendations (candles, florals, lanterns), and monogrammed napkins.
• Personalized Menus: Add your names or engagement date atop each menu for a keepsake touch.
• Music and Entertainment: Plug in your device for background tunes or let us suggest a local acoustic duo—sound system included.
• Dessert Upgrade: In addition to your cake, consider our mini dessert plates—petite pavlovas, chocolate truffles, or our signature strawberry shortcake.
• Party Favors: Custom spice blends, mini jam jars, or engraved glassware for guests to take home.
3. Final Details and Day-Of Coordination
• Timeline Planning: We’ll work with you to create a timeline for speeches, toasts, cake cutting, and late-night snack service so the evening flows smoothly.
• Arrival and Setup: Staff arrive 30 minutes early for table styling and AV setup. You’re welcome to bring in small decorative items or a photo slideshow.
• Dietary Accommodations: Simply let us know in advance about allergies, gluten-free requests, or vegan needs, and we’ll customize portions accordingly.
• Final Walk-Through: Schedule a site visit one week prior to your date to review layout, décor, and menu details with your on-site coordinator.
4. Contact and Follow-Up
• Visit our website at hmdbarandgrill.com/events for sample menus, photos, and a reservation form.
• Follow us on Instagram @HMDBarGrill for seasonal menu reveals and engagement party inspiration.
• Prefer a site visit? Drop by during business hours—our Events Team will give you a tour of available spaces and answer any questions.
• Stay Connected: Sign up for our quarterly “Local Love” newsletter to get first dibs on new menu launches, special rates, and community event schedules.
Raise a Toast to Your Future
At HMD Bar & Grill, we believe great celebrations don’t have to come with a great big bill. Our combination of thoughtful service, rotating seasonal specials, venue flexibility, and genuine community spirit makes hosting an engagement celebration both effortless and affordable. From budget-friendly Silver Packages to all-inclusive Platinum tiers, we tailor every detail so you can focus on the people—and the love—at the center of it all. Let us handle the details: the personalized menus, the signature cocktails, the late-night bites, and the ambient lighting. We can’t wait to help you raise a glass (or a flight!) to your next chapter together.