frequently asked questions
Q: WHAT AREAS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE EVENTS?
A: We offer either a PATIO BUY OUT or a FULL RESTAURANT BUY OUT
buying out the restaurant closes it to general public and you have full use of the front porch, bakery, dining room + back patio. This is a great option for people who want to start with a time for guests to gather and enjoy beverages and/or appetizers or would like to have a ceremony on the patio. This option can accommodate up to 85 guests or up to 35 guests if a ceremony will be held on the patio.
Our patio buy out offers private use of our outside patio, which is a garden setting with the market lights and 5 outdoor heaters. The restaurant will remain open to the public. this option can accommodate up to 50 guests.
Q: WHAT IS A SITE FEE?
A: A site fee is the cost to rent a private space. It includes exclusive use of the space, set up, breakdown and clean up. The site fee also includes the use of our tables, chairs, benches and heaters as well as plates, silver and glassware. Our site fees are dependent upon the space reserved as well as the season and are as follows:
Patio Buy Out
$1250 Site Fee
* client is responsible for tent rental fee or other protection in case of bad weather
Full Restaurant Buy Out
$3500 (November-April)
$5000 (May-October)
Space is confirmed once the Site Fee is paid. The Site Fee acts as a non-refundable deposit and is subject to tax and gratuity.
Q: WHAT IS FAMILY STYLE?
A: All of our parties are served family style. The salad course can be plated individually and the entrees and vegetable sides are put on platter and passed around the table. Each guest receives the option to eat both entrée choices and both vegetable sides.
Serving family style eliminates having to ask your quests what they prefer while also offering more options to each person. Vegetarians and vegans can skip the meat dishes and kids can pick what they like.
Q: HOW DOES BEVERAGE SERVICE WORK?
A: We have a beer and wine license. Our specially selected wines from around the world and our small, but excellent craft beer list are designed to compliment our food menus.
We also offer a beautiful selection of real-sugar sodas, diet soda, iced teas, seasonal juices, acme coffee drinks, and organic loose teas.
All beverages are billed in addition to pre-set menu prices except where otherwise stated (ex. our brunch menu.)
All bottled beverages are billed on consumption.
Q: CAN I BRING MY OWN WINE & BEER?
A: You are more than welcome to bring your own wine. Our corkage fee is discounted for private events at a rate of $20 per (750ml) bottle. This is also billed on consumption and we only bill for the number of bottles opened during your event.
We do not allow you to bring in beer in any form.
Q: CAN WE BRING OUR OWN DECORATIONS?
A: Yes, and we encourage you to do so. We provide beautiful wood tables, service settings with an ivory napkin and basic votive candles. We encourage you to create the atmosphere you want and welcome you into the restaurant one hour before your event starts. We do ask that you don’t do anything that damages our property.
Although we wish that we had the space to store your decorations we are simply to small of a place to do so. Please do not drop off any décor prior to the agreed upon set up time.
We are often asked if we provide table cloths and while we can do so, we don’t encourage it because it very hard to find the right size table cloths for our tables that are all different and uneven sizes. What we do recommend are table runners that still showcase our beautiful wood tables and are not affected by the oddly shaped natural wood.
Q: CAN WE PROVIDE MEALS FOR OUR VENDORS?
A: Yes, we offer a vendor meal option for those who are unable to sit down with the rest of the crowed for dinner due to their part in entertaining your dearest family and friends. Our chef will provide a lovely dinner at a separate time for the price of $38 per person. We ask that the number of vendor meals needed are confirmed 14 days prior to the event.
Q: WHAT TIMES DO WE HAVE THE SPACE AVAILABLE TO US?
A: The site fee generally covers the time of your meal period and follows:
Dinner: 5.30pm to 10.30pm
Brunch: 10am to 2pm Lunch: 10am to 2pm
Q: WHEN DO WE GIVE THE TOASTS OR SPEECHES?
A: Our experience tells us that the best times to give speeches are:
(1) After all food has been served
(2) After desserts have been served
(3) Before the wedding cake is cut
We encourage you to select a time that you would like us to facilitate toasts and speeches before you arrive in order to ensure flawless service and an event that you can sit back and enjoy.
Q: WHAT IS THE MUSIC SITUATION AT BIG SUR BAKERY?
A: We have an in house Sonos System, which we are more than happy to play music from for you. We will select a playlist from our library and handle all aspects of the music for the evening. Our speakers are designed for low volume music and are not appropriate for dancing. You many not plug in additional speakers or iPod/iPhones to our system as our wifi is unreliable.
If you wish to bring in a band, DJ or your own speaker set up you are more than welcome to. We have multiple outlets both inside the restaurant and on our patio for you or your vendors to use. Due to local sound regulations we retain the right to control the volume of any music being played outside.
Q: IS THERE WIFI AT BIG SUR BAKERY?
A: No, we do not offer public wifi.
Q: ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL FEES?
A: There is a tax of 7.5% and a gratuity of 20% in addition to food, beverage, site fees and any other charges such as specially requested rentals agreed upon beforehand by BSB and the client.
SUGGESTED DINNER TIMELINE
(this timeline will be followed unless another is submitted and approved by Big Sur Bakery Event Planner)
5:30- 6:30 ‘cocktail hour’
beer & wine & appetizers
6:35 guests asked to take their seats for dinner
6:45 – 8:15 dinner service
8:15 – 10:15 cake cutting, dancing, drinks & dessert
10:15 last call for alcoholic drinks & last song
10:30 all guests must be off bakery premises and clean up begins
*please note that for every 15 minutes guests remain on property after 10:30 there is a $100 charge
