Phil Stefani Signature Events
1300 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL, 60622
Phil Stefani Signature Events Menu
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Address :
1300 W Hubbard St
Chicago, IL, 60622 - Phone (312) 226-7611
- Website https://www.stefanicatering.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
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Bill H.
I'm going to sound like a copycat but... We had the good fortune to choose Stefani for our wedding on 8/18/13 at Garfield Park Conservatory (great venue, BTW). Everything was exactly as we'd planned. The food, drink and service were all topnotch. But the best attribute of Stefani's is their staff, especially Anna Pindara. This woman couldn't have been any friendlier or more helpful. She really is as fantastic as so many other Yelpers have said. If you want to be in the best possible hands (and not have to worry about anything) on your wedding day, get thee to Anna. The rest of the staff was very pleasant and efficient too, but Anna is in a whole different category.
(5)J And S.
All I can say is, Tom... WOW! We may not have been the easiest event, but Tom was flawless. We had FAR too much food at our wedding, but it was party because everything Tom had us try was so fantastic, we couldn't say no! One of the best compliments was that my dad said over and over how he knew that the food at the tastings is always better than the mass produced food at the actual event. Not so when Stefani's is involved. Not so when Tom is in charge. Even with stations, the food was hot... which is always the biggest complaint at weddings. A McCabe/Carpenter wedding with Chinese food.. yea, we went there... with an "Italian caterer" year... it was so good, weeks later its still being talked about! Their servers were discreet and yet there if needed or wanted. They anticipated everything. The food was five star quality. Can I just say... garlic mashed potatoes... Better than I have EVER had! And I have made them myself from scratch multiple times! We had so many yummy appetizers, a steakhouse/stuffed chicken station and our Chinese station, we had an awesome assortment of mini desserts AND late night snacks. The only thing out of all of that that didnt get a ginormous thumbs up was the fried mac at the end of the night. Everything else was so yummy I wish I could have it all over and over again. But what truly was amazing was Tom's detail to our specificities (there were alot) and hit attention to every single minute request (multiple flavors of whipped butter on each table and cold pats of butter just for my dad). The price may be a bit more than other caterers, but if you dont want to have to worry all night through, if you want delicious food, if you want people to truly enjoy what you pay to serve them... hire them! Oh and the presentation... in a day and age when that is often judged more than the food itself... awesome!
(5)Eugene C.
Phil Stefani Signature Events catered my wedding this past weekend, and I can't say enough great things about them! First off, having a wedding at a different venue (ours was the Nature Museum) where you have to bring in a caterer can be a bit stressful. But we knew that we wanted the food to be excellent, hence we decided to go away from a hotel venue. Our catering manager, Anna, was the BEST! If we could've constructed the perfect person to handle our catering, it would be Anna. She was always on top of everything we needed, and her personality was so calming. A big asset for a stressful time of wedding planning. We met a lot of caterers and Anna was the best by far. Now the food. The hor'deurves were amazing. Yellowfin tuna on a risotto square, apple/garlic/brie on a toasted point, and curried lobster! The beet salad was excellent and refreshing, and the entrees were even more amazing. The braised beef was tender and cooked perfectly with the vegetable medley and mashed potatos in a wine reduction sauce. The halibut was cooked perfectly and was flaky as it was cut. Served with a baked yam and asparagus, it was delicious. After dinner, we had several people approach us and said it was the best wedding food they had ever eaten! Service was flawless, and it was clear that the servers/bartenders were experienced and professional. I will continue to use Phil Stefani's Signature Events for future catering needs and highly recommend them for any weddings!
(5)Sarah W.
My boyfriend and I had a weekend in Chicago and had no idea where to go eat. Saw the sign for Phil Stefani's from our room at Homewood Suites. Just walked in with no reservation. The host sang as he walked us to our table, quite well I might add. The ambiance was wonderful and he let us have our choice of table, which was nice. I had a dirty martini that was like most martini's and Jeff ordered a Silver Oak Cabernet that was decently priced for the amazing red. We both ordered petit filets that in my opinion was much larger than any petit i've had and probably 1 of the top 10 steaks I've ever tasted. I had the tri-color salad and Jeff had lobster bisque. I assumed it would be a little higher priced than what I'm used to downstate but I thought it was reasonable. It is a la carte. I WOULD GO BACK AGAIN!
(5)Isaiah K.
We consulted with Phil Stefani for our upcoming wedding and although we did not select them as our caterer, I wanted to tell everyone about the attention to detail they take with their clients. Anna was very poised and experienced dealing with a variety of weddings and brides, she really listened to us and did her best to "get it right." She came up with personalized ideas to create a elegant, formal wedding on a tight budget. I regret that we didn't select them as our caterer (as the groom it wasn't entirely my decision). I envision any wedding that selects Phil Stefani as their caterer will be in great hands.
(5)Tatiana V.
Back in October of 2012, Phil Stefani served for our wedding at "The Murphy" the most delicious food we could have asked for. Ana Pindara was a delightful person to work with! I can be a bit demanding about getting things done correctly and promptly, but she exceeded my expectations. They had the bar open all night and the food keep on coming throughout the night. We enjoyed not only the great food and drinks but also their flawless customer service!!
(5)Laura S.
Would give 4.5 if I could. We used Phil Stefani for our wedding in Chicago and would pick them again hands down. Working with Anna was a dream come true and their staff is amazing. Our guests commented particularly on how skilled and friendly the bartenders were, and our servers were great about making sure my groom and I had anything we needed, whether it be food, booze, or most importantly coffee! The food was excellent overall though there must have been some confusion along the way because some things were not prepared the way we expected (in retrospect, I can see how they may have thought we wanted to change one of the entrees but it would have been better had they confirmed with us, and our pasta entree didn't come with our vegetable side as we had asked). Only reason I subtracted points was because certain things were not a very good value. We bought $500 worth of late night bites for our small wedding of 75 people, but there was barely any of them. Of course, everyone was stuffed already so who cares, but it does seem expensive. Better off to go with their cookies at the table, which I was told were delicious! Overall, Phil Stefani was not the cheapest option for catering our wedding, but it was worth it to have such wonderful people along the way in the planning process and on the day of!
(4)Josie H.
We had our wedding last Sunday (10/6/2013) at Promontory Point. From start to finish, Phil Stefani, aka Anna Pindara, was professional, prompt, and accommodating. She was so much more than a caterer throughout this process- she offered advice about set up, tables, and budget, and worked to keep us on schedule for the event. I really can't say enough about how pleasant this experience was for us, but working with Anna was the least stressful and one of the most enjoyable parts of planning the wedding. In addition, the staff was extremely polite, kept the wine flowing all night. The food was amazing, and the bartender made sure guests were taken care of. Five stars all the way.
(5)LookingAtCars L.
We chose Phil Stefani Signature Events to cater our wedding reception for 70 of our family and friends. We couldn't have picked better. Jennifer Monti was the best, easiest to work with, and most accommodating planner of everyone we considered. We'd highly recommend working with her. She's professional AND fun! Planning a reception is stressful. Monti took a lot of that stress away and helped us enjoy ourselves and create a delicious menu and awesome party. We wanted a Hawaiian theme to our reception with Hawaiian food as the star including an imu-style whole roasted pig. Monti loved the idea and created a delicious menu with everything from mahi mahi steaks to coconut sweet potatoes to a whole roasted pig carved on-site. The tasting was delicious, and the food for the reception turned out the same. Hors d'oeuvres were delicious and enjoyed by all. Dinner was buffet-style with 8 different dishes and a salad course, and there was enough of every dish for everyone. Our biggest complements for the reception were how good the food was and how it was (direct quote) "so much better than any other reception food I've ever had." The service staff was also great. We held the reception at a private venue, and Phil Stefani provided professional experienced staff who kept everyone stocked with food and drinks. The staff all arrived early, setup was a breeze, and everything went smooth as silk through the entire evening. Prices were good and in line with other reception proposals we received, but overall, we got a lot more quality with Phil Stefani. Now we're looking for a reason to have another catered party. Post-wedding shower perhaps? :)
(5)Sabreen A.
Somebody seriously needs to give Anna Pindara a raise! Anna was the caterer I worked with through Phil Stefani events for my wedding at a Chicago Park District building. She is seriously more of a wedding coordinator than just a caterer. She was incredibly easy to communicate with, always super prompt and thorough in her replies, super flexible and accommodating when it came to my schedule, and easily handled any last minute changes or details without any difficulty or stress. I seriously must have spoken with at least 6-7 different caterers after getting the list from the CPD once I decided to have my wedding at one of their venues (I think I contacted all of the catering companies, but only this many decided to reply). Anna and Phil Stefani were by far the most prompt, most courteous, and most easy to deal with. It's true that their catering services are pricey, but she also helped me to get it within my budget and cut smaller, extraneous costs. And, to be fair, all of the caterers that the CPD requires you to work with came within a few hundred dollars of one another with their proposed budgets. If you want easy communication, very little stress, impeccable professionalism, and a beautiful event, definitely go with Phil Stefani Catering.
(5)Amy S.
I came here for dinner before attending the symphony. W-O-W. The service is phenomenal and the entire staff is friendly and open to answer any question you may have. We had the seafood platter for an appetizer and it was GIGANTIC! Steaks for dinner followed by their trio of sorbet for dessert. The mango sorbet is the best I've ever had. Not a cheap meal, but worth every penny. Must try!
(5)Flower T.
I must admit being born & raised in Cali my dining experiences in Chicago have been some of the best dining experiences in my short 28yrs... with that being said Phil Stefani is a classic old school Italian steakhouse in the heart of chicago. If you are ever in Chicago Stefani's is a must!! Impeccable food & service. The menu has many great italian dishes, Maccheroni Cipriani, Ravioli Alle Erbette, Gnocchetti, Spaghetti Al Pomodoro, Linguine Ai Frutti Di Mare, and many more. Lot's to experience and enjoy. My meal began with a great glass of red wine & the fried calamari. My main course I had the petite filet & italian mashed potatoes, very, very good. Dessert I had the mango sorbet, A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! Phil Stefani is a classy joint. I look forward to my next meal and enjoying their great homemade italian masterpieces.... I had a wonderful dining experience.
(5)Shanti N.
Still recovering from the coat-check trauma, which I only bring up because the food/service/atmosphere were not enough to justify. To be fair, I came here (to one of the upstairs rooms) for a networking event, so perhaps this was reflected in the questionable quality of wine and paltry appetizers -- think small pizzas reminiscent of the totino's pizza rolls that I used to have as after-school snacks in my middle-school heyday. I will say that the space itself was good and allowed for mingling. One extra star since there was actually a place for my bag, which was monster-sized since I came right from work, without having to resort to the scary coat check.
(3)Jojo F.
My friends Karen and Jan had their wedding catered by Phil Stefani and I was quite pleased with the choices. They had waiters passing risotto, cheese balls, chipotle chicken bites, mini burgers and empanadas. Awesome. Next, the buffet spread consisted of brats, fresh bread, a large assortment of grilled veggies, tricolor tortellini, salad and AWESOME desserts that were pudding-like. I can't be more specific about the desserts because we were on a dinner boat on the top deck. I saw desserts and I tried one of each. All great. I'm not sure about pricing, but if it's not an issue, I would recommend this caterer.
(4)Evan S.
This is definitely a traditional Italian Chicago steakhouse. There was even a host there who busted out an opera like, traditional Italian song table side to some people in the other room. I kept expecting to see Al Capone having dinner with Johnny Torrio in the booth next to me. I had the 12z Fillet Mignon which was cooked just the way I like it (not too bloody, but not dried out). Service was excellent. Nothing to complain about here.
(5)Christina P.
What class and sophistication! I hired Phil Stefani to cater my wedding. I scheduled a tasting with my fiance, now husband, and we were so impressed. We had been to several tastings because food was extremely important to us. The table was set, the head waiter greeted us with our coordinator, and the chef came out to greet us. They were organized, professional, and really no how to cater to their client's needs. (Excuse the pun.) We were extremely impressed with the quality of service and the quality of the food. Everything was locally produced and bought at the farmer's market. We ended up choosing a fresh spinach salad with a champagne vinaigrette. The spinach had a snap to it and a freshness that has since been unrivaled. It truly was delicious. We then tried the filet and the halibut. We ate every bite of both. They were both cooked perfectly and the accoutrements were fantastic. We had selected a roasted red potato and grilled asparagus. We sampled several hors d'oeuvres, all of which we loved. At the end of the meal, the chef greeted us with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot. You just can't put a price on that kind of class and service. In addition to providing the food, they also rented the linens and set them up, set up a sweets room with coffee, set up a champagne and fruit tent outside for the ceremony beforehand, setup the liquor shots at the greeting line, and did a walk-through with us a week before the event at the venue to make sure that everything would go smoothly. On the day of the event, everything was set up perfectly. The serving staff all wore gloves, and served each table in impeccable fashion. They were very attentive to each guest's needs. My guests are still talking about the food at my wedding, and truly, it was the best meal that I had had in months. Greg and I couldn't have been more pleased. My parents loved all of their added touches and professionalism. I help coordinate events for a living, and if I am ever planning one in Chicago, I will always turn to Phil Stefani because they know how to deliver top-notch food and top-notch service.
(5)Megan M.
Phil Stefani catered our wedding at the Ballroom at 12 E. Erie, and we had nothing but rave reviews. Our guests loved the passed appetizers during the cocktail hour, and went crazy for quality and amount of food served during the buffet dinner. We had high expectations after thoroughly enjoying the food at our tasting, and those expectations were exceeded when we tasted the beef they served that night. Can't say enough good things about our experience!
(5)David R.
i'm shocked at the great reviews out here. my experience was not as good. Maybe an off evening? I attended a party that was catered by this group, and the food was mediocre at best. what i sampled tasted "ok", but they tried to be artistic with the presentation, and when doing so, they "smeared" some decorative dipping sauces onto the serving plates, which basically made the plate look dirty. that was very unsuccessful !!!What also REALLY bothered me was the fact that they ran out of bar items well before the function ended. I find that rediculous. The function had two bars. One bar carried certain items, while the other bar carried something different. if you wanted a particular type of vodka or beer, you were required to go to a specific bar table. (this wasn't at the request of the people throwing the party). This caused a complete log jam at one bar, while the other was not crowded. and.. the one crowded bar was directly in front of the speakers for the DJ, so, since i was required to stand in a line every time i wanted a cocktail, I was forced to stand directly in front of a speaker!! i came out of there half deaf. BAD Planning. But, to be hosting and paying top dollar for a private event and to run out of liquor is disgusting. Liquor isn't a food item that needs to be thrown out at the end of the evening. It doesn't turn sour. it doesn't spoil. There were LESS people at this event than what the final headcount stated, so.. if anything, there should have been surplus! The hosts of this party are very close friends of mine, and.. they had multiple issues with this company prior to the event, so.. i thought they would have gone out of their way to ensure everything was up to snuff, but they blew it.
(1)Julie A.
I don't know why the other people are talking about the resturaunts in the other 3 reviews, however they cater as well as have resturaunts in the city. I used their catering service for my wedding at the Garfield Park Conservatory. From the tasting down to the wedding everythign was fantastic. Everyone complimeted the food and orderves, the waiters were prompt and polite. I highly recommend this group for your catering needs!
(5)Janice K.
We were exceedingly pleased with Phil Stefani Signature events and all of the staff at our wedding. Anna Pindara's work with us prior to the event was flawless, and she instantly made us feel comfortable and confident that they would do a great job since. On the day of the wedding, Jennifer was absolutely perfect- finding me or my husband and discreetly telling us of any changes or getting our approval on all details. In this way, she kept us very informed but also handled any surprises expertly and quietly. We both thought the food was wonderful, and the service was really top-notch. We have gotten many good comments on both from our guests. The quality of the food was important to us, as was the service, so that's why we chose Phil Stefani. Though the main menu was not extensive (because of our budget), it seemed like there was a great variety of food (especially with the passed hors d'oeuvres), and there certainly was plenty of it! The only negative comment we have is about the signature cocktails- they were actually quite different from what we had at the tasting. In any case, we could not be more pleased with Phil Steefani events. Actually, they are more than just caterers- their organization and professionalism regarding "wedding coordinating" were essential, especially since we were not using a catering hall and had no coordinator.
(5)Robert W.
After reading through comments it is pretty apparent that Maribell, Karen and Stefani itself are elite! They were such a huge and integral part of our wedding that we did not even need a wedding coordinator, Maribell is truly a triple-threat. Previous posts accusing her of being inattentive is flat out wrong! My wife and I both through many catered events in Indianapolis and never had a better point of contact than Maribell! With that being said, we had a very intimate wedding, only 60 attendees, and I would say that at least 7 out of 10 people stated that this was the best wedding food they have ever had. These were Executives to actual owners of their own restaurants and at least 70% said there was no comparison. It is hard to get Duck consisted from plate to plate and it was, absolutely amazing! Both Karen and Maribell were at our wedding to make sure everything went well and you have no idea how much we appreciated that. They did not have to both attend and they did which was just so professional. My mother especially appreciated to meet both of them, she heard so, so many great things that she wanted to personally thank them herself. When speeches were given, my wife wanted to make sure that she made a special thank you to Stefani and especially Maribell, that is how much we care for them now. Let me repeat that, in the middle of thanking her guests, her parents and her new family she just joined, she stopped and said, " I want to personally thank Stefani Catering and Maribell, who has just been an angel heaven sent to us!" That is how much they mean to us now! Without a doubt, we will always and I mean always use Karen Stefani and Maribell Villagomez in the future for any catering needs. Without a doubt! Cheers to you Karen and Maribell! Nosdarovia! Robert & Elena Wilkinson
(5)AJ T.
Without a doubt - the best decision we made in our wedding planning was working with Phil Stefani Catering -- in particular -- Michelle D. was an absolute hero during the entire planning process. Not only did she go above and beyond prior to the event, but also during the day of the event, she offered us advice and counsel that only a true professional could provide. The execution of the event was even better than I could've imagined. The service was outstanding, drinks were great and the food was delicious and beautifully displayed. Michelle & her team were able to accommodate all of our requests (family style, whole roast pig, etc.) and made sure everything was spot on. She even made sure we received snacks from the cocktail reception during our photography time - very thoughtful. Without her, I don't think we would have been able to pull of such a successful wedding and party. We also had great experience with the Head Chef who was very open to fine-tuning and adjusting the menu. He was very cool, able to make wonderful food and he gave us a sweet treat after our tasting. Also very noteworthy was one of the head servers, Zachary J. Not only was he super nice during our tasting, but he did an outstanding job at the wedding reception. He was by far the best bartender and I saw people lining up specifically for him at the bar. Awesome job! Highly recommend booking Stefani Catering. You truly will not regret this decision as Michelle D. and this organization are top notch.
(5)William S.
Wow! I usually take recommendations fr hotel staff with a grain of salt but this time I was completely satisfied. You can tell this is a family owned restaurant bc the service was OUTSTANDING! I had the seafood linguini and it was incredible......not to mention, I'm stuffed. The short walk back to my hotel will do me good.....LOL. I'm coming back to Chi-town in August and if I have time I will make my way down the street and in here for dinner.
(5)Anthony M.
EVENTS It seems like everywhere I go Phil is catering the event. I've actually attended several events in his upstairs party room at the restaurant and at various venues in downtown Chicago. First I must mention the staff. The servers and bartenders are all really nice. They keep the food on the table looking good. They also make sure to get around the room so everyone can try the hot Apps. Bartenders are always friendly and make great drinks. I hate when event bartenders put in a splash of spirit. That doesn't make a corporate meeting any fun but a real pour and now were talking. In fact, some of these events need the loose juice to get people to open up. One of the food items I always see are sandwiches. Yeah these are easy to eat for lunch events. I have tried them all. I am impressed with the quality and taste for the sandwich being catered. The roast beef is always a little on the rare side which is more tasty. I am even impressed with there Italian sub sandwiches. It is hard to compete with all of the amazing Italian Sub places in Chicago. They also have the typical platters of cheese, fruit and veggies. These are always good staples at an event. The veggie tray covers the non meat eaters and the meat eaters can feel healthy by grabbing some raw carrots. Everyone is happy and the veggie tray always seems untouched. The staff also offered to wrap up the food after an event instead of throwing it away. They even carried it to my friends car for her. That was so nice of them but she had cube cheese for months. Everyone loves cheese. So depending on where you hold your event you may be forced to have Phil supply the food but that may not be a bad think. Phil knows how to keep a customer happy. So if u find yourself at that choice, then chose Phil because he rocks.
(4)Glenn B.
WOW...INCREDIBLE...AMAZING...PERFECT....These are a few of the comments we received in regards to our perfect night which was all pulled together and so well orchestrated by Stefanis...specifically Michelle Dallas! At the very start all the way to the end, Michelle made the experience enjoyable and so easy. The service and food quality is certainly the best in Chicago and I venture to say and beyond! They made our wedding and reception one of the best many of our guests said they had ever attended. THANK YOU MICHELLE AND STEFANIS!!!! We would not have changed a thing!!!!!
(5)Susan P.
The Wedding I attended, Saturday, May 30, 2015, is only deserving of a 10 Star Rating for Phil Stefani Signature Events. The ten guests at our table witnessed the most lavish and elaborate presentation of dinner that was ever seen at a Wedding! The food was simply outstanding! And this includes everything down to the late night snacks of Chicago Hot Dogs, Cheeseburgers & Fries......which left myself and the other guests asking........who did all of this?? Karen Stefani. The architect of this one of a kind Wedding. And, to add to all of this, the Bride and Groom told us that Karen had suggested the "Martini Bar" be an ice carving with the Chicago Skyline.....which, of course, included the name of the Bride and Groom, and the colors of the Wedding. When guests had a martini, the custom mixed drink flowed through the ice chamber into the martini glass! Now, how cool is that! I was taken by the stunning tables, linens and floral.....the Bride simply told me that she worked with Karen on this. Amazing. And, for a Wedding to flow as smoothly as it did, every detail attended to, everything moving along smoothly and timely... I wondered who the Wedding Planner was.......I was told Gina Stefani.....What amazing work she does........Most of us had never been to a Wedding this beautiful yet alone a Wedding that was organized and moving through each hour without a hitch. A Wedding where you actually saw the Bride and Groom enjoying their day, their guests and each other......and not stressing over a thing! This was the first Stefani Wedding I ever attended......this was, without question, the finest Wedding I ever attended. So, give me 5 more Stars as Phil Stefani Signature Events is 10 Stars in Weddings !
(5)Annie G.
Working with Anna was great... however the outcome not so much. We chose Stefani to cater our nighttime boat cruise (we were only give 4 options) and thought Stefani was the easiest to work with/most understanding. We were not looking for a lot of food and wanted to take the cheapest route possible however still get a good deal for the money we were spending. Overall, we paid $1,100 dollars for 4 bowls of chips, a cheese plate, and 2 small bowls of dip. This is not an exaggeration. Not sure if they knew we were a group in our min-20's and thought they could take advantage. But when i expressed my disappointment and requested some sort of compensation they declined.
(1)Andrea B.
We just had our wedding last weekend with Phil Stefani and I will say they did a great job. It was definitely a rough start with them when we first engaged with them but it did progressively continue to get better as it got closer to our wedding date. We especially loved our catering manager on the day off, Teo. He was so great and checked on my husband and I to make sure things were Ok and we were happy. I would recommend using Stefani for your event, but if you like more personalized attention and hand holding through the planning process they may not be the best choice for you since they are a larger catering company and book many events every night.
(4)Earl P.
The day-of servers/cooks/bartenders and food are amazing. That's worth 5 stars. However, the whole process leading up to my event was a complete nightmare because of Maribel. She was completely inattentive, unprofessional, rude, and even the day of the event--making excuses to not have to do work. Firstly, I wanted to work with Stefani and had to repeatedly reach out to them in order to get the ball rolling. I was basically ignored via email until I called a few times to express my true desire to work with "the best caterer in town." Maribel was so difficult to get in touch with. She would often tell me that she wouldn't be able to respond to my emails because she wanted to head home early from work. ??? At a venue meeting for my event, Maribel showed up 10 minutes late, acted as if our meeting was an inconvenience to her and even had the audacity to state: "Uhh, I'm missing lunch to be here. They always feed us at 12 at work!" Wow, professional. Not to mention, every single contract she presented was full of inaccuracies; notably, financial inaccuracies that gave the catering company far more money than was appropriately calculable. I pointed this out numerous times, but she insisted she was correct. It wasn't until I had my partner speak with her and re-iterate the incorrect aspects that she claimed she got it. This simple task took days. We did far more in terms of correcting and writing paperwork than she did. We basically did her job for her. Perhaps the most appalling professionalism I witnessed was when I inquired as to whom the day-of waitstaff should have their check made-out to. Maribel then insisted I use cash instead because "they take less taxes out!" The day of the event Maribel basically sat around making excuses about why she couldn't fix things or get things done. Interesting... my unpaid friend, completely unfamiliar with the venue, staff, or layout, jumped into action correcting things, and making things happen--without requiring a paycheck for her services. When Maribel wasn't making multitudes of excuses-- she WAS inserting herself right smack in the center of bride/father, groom/mother walking down the aisle pictures-- even though she had promised prior that none of her staff would be in the background area during the ceremony. SHE WAS. The whole process of working with Maribel was a nightmare. She consistently made excuses for her errors (that she believed were correct until we had to beg her to simply LOOK at the paperwork), she was unprofessional and lazy. While I would recommend Stefani catering in terms of quality of food and day-of servers and waitstaff, I would not wish my experience having to work with Maribel on anyone. It left such a bad memory and intense feeling of upset-- which no one wants on their special day/ special event.
(2)Michael P.
Phil Stefani's made my wedding PERFECT. Our coordinator, Michelle Dallas, was absolutely AMAZING! From our first call, to her expert management during our wedding, everything was extraordinary. I shopped around quite a bit before selecting Stefani's and the quality and service that I got for the price simply blew me away. Also, many of my guests raved about the service of the wait staff and the quality of the food. I could not be happier with our experience with Stefani's and HIGHLY recommend them.
(5)Randi S.
Phil Stefani was the caterer for our wedding a few weeks ago. We were bummed when early on, we were told our contact Anna was no longer with the company. Luckily, our new contact Maribell as well as other staff were terrific. Both Anna and Maribel were both a joy to work with, flexible and courteous. The food is also spectacular, and the service the day of my wedding was outstanding. In the end, MARIBELL is to thank for a fantastic reception!! The food was on point, and everyone was raving about the service. Our venue looked great, and Maribell went out of her way to be sure my new husband and I were happy throughout the entire reception. However, I don't feel the same about Karen Stefani, who thinks putting food on the table is the highest level of customer service allowed. Karen was not my primary contact, though she often stepped in to tell me what I could and couldn't do when it came to coordinating our wedding at the Ballroom at 12 E Erie. There was a lot of miscommunication - me being told one thing, then finding out later that I 'misunderstood'. I realize when there is a staff transition, things may fall through the cracks. However, things that were agreed upon verbally with Anna (and Maribell) were quickly changed and shut down by Karen, who in my opinion, felt the need to micromanage her staff. Let the sales managers handle their own accounts, please. For example, we were able to buy our own liquor and I was told because of the liquor license, the caterer had to bring the liquor to the reception venue. When I showed up to drop it off a week before our wedding, Karen gave us a hard time and told us they could not store it and that I had to drop it off the day of the wedding (as if the bride and groom have time for that.) She also said they wouldn't be able to set up my decorations at the venue though I was told previously the staff could do it during set-up, so I had to ask a friend to go to the reception to ensure it was set up appropriately. Once she arrived, they told my friend they weren't supplying water and she went to 7-11 to buy bottled water for our guests!! They reimbursed her, thankfully. My advice is to get EVERYTHING you agree on in writing, and to be sure you read over the contract before you sign! Though Karen ended up agreeing to what I was previously promised, she caused unnecessary stress for me the week of my wedding. Such a shame to give them 3 stars, since without Karen, they would have received 5.
(3)Maggie R.
My fiance and I began our search for the perfect catering. Phil Stefani has offered us more than enough options and has been super accommodating with all of our demands. Their menu is full of so many tasty dishes. Maribell had been nothing but helpful. We can't wait till our wedding and we're certain we made the right choice!
(5)Alice K.
My husband and I decided to go with Phil Stefani's for our wedding back in May and we are so glad we did! Phil Stefani's has lots of 5 star ratings for a reason. The food is delicious and the staff is top notch. Anna was our catering manager and she did an excellent job, from start to finish. All of our other vendors liked working with her as well. Kudos to Phil Stefani's - chefs and staff. Everyone did an excellent job!
(5)Elizabeth M.
I cannot say enough good things about Stefani's and their staff!! From day one they were incredible! We worked closely with Karen, Maribell and Teo. They all played such a vital role in making our big day perfect. Anyone who is going through the process of planning a wedding knows it can get STRESSFUL, not if you go with Phil Stefani Signature Events. From the moment we signed the contract my stress level disappeared. They are so on top of everything, and they know their stuff. We had a big wedding with 250 guest and a bunch of food restrictions. We needed Kosher, vegetarian, gluten free options and my husband is a meatatarian; I was worried we wouldn't be able to find a good balance. Stefani's handled everything seamlessly, everyone got exactly what they wanted and needed, and people are still telling me how much they loved our wedding and the food. We used them for dessert and late night food as well, and it was also amazing. I am pretty sure I ate 40 mini cannoli's; they were so good! Maribell is the sweetest person alive, and she made me feel so comfortable on our day and leading up to it. There was never a time when I emailed or called her and she didn't respond right away. She took care of everything and stuck to our vision. Teo ran the show and set-up, and it was flawless. I did a lot of my own decorations and set-up, and Teo and his crew helped make everything perfect. If you are looking for an amazing experience with staff who know what it takes to make your day perfect, look no further.
(5)Mary K.
Where do I start with the compliments! We used Stefani for my daughters wedding at the Bridgeport Art Center. My first contact was with Karen Stefani. She immediately understood what I wanted for my daughters wedding and came up,with a great meal plan that pleased both my daughter and myself. I worked with Andrea during the rest of the year of planning and she provided ideas for linens and other vendors that made the wedding very special. They always answered emails and calls with out any problem. The tasting was a fantastic experience and the wedding was stress free.The staff was so attentive and wonderful and the food was incredible. My guests raved and raved about it being some of the best food they ever had at a wedding. Stefani's head chef is a genius and the captain Tao went above and beyond, taking all the personals items that got left behind after the wedding. I highly recommend using Stefani for your next event. You won't be sorry!
(5)M P.
I am writing this review as a Mother of the Bride with a daughter in New York planning a wedding in Chicago. As you can imagine, this added some stress to the whole process. I have to say that Stefani's helped to ease this stress tremendously. Karen and Maribell were wonderful!! Every question was answered promptly. My daughter came into town at the last minute one weekend and Maribell met at the venue on such short notice The food was out of this world...I had more than one of our guests tell me that this was the first wedding they attended where they ate every bite on their plate! We had an outdoor rooftop for the ceremony, and of course it rained all day. Karen, Maribell and Teo were so calm and we made it through the ceremony and cocktails before the rain started again. They made the whole process as stress free as planning a wedding can be! I would wholeheartedly recommend Stefani's Signature Events to anyone planning a wedding. Start to finish...it was a great experience. Thank You Karen, Maribell and Teo!!!
(5)Liz P.
THE BEST. I just used Stefani's for my wedding and everyone keeps raving about how great the food was. We offered three options at our wedding, and people said it was the best food they ever had. I never really have good food at a wedding, so I was shocked at how good they were. Beyond the food, the service was phenomenal, and I never had to worry about a detail because they covered it all. They are the best, and I would recommend only using them for your wedding!!!!
(5)Toni L.
Don't be scared off when thinking about working with a catering company. I can be the first one to admit I was very intimidated when we picked our wedding venue (Prairie Production). I had never planned a party where everything down to the fork was going to be brought into the venue. While this can be scary, if you pick the right catering company you should not be afraid! At first look I did not think we would be able to afford Stefani's, they are the big guys and we were having a smaller wedding. After visiting another company we thought what the heck lets call Stefani's and see if we can afford it. To our surprise we could and not only that they welcomed us in for a tasting before we signed with them. We met with Anna Pindara, who is a saint lets just start right there! I was a busy bride and email was my best way of communication and Anna was always there with an answer right away, there was no delay responses from her. She listened to exactly what we were looking for. Having good Italian food was on the top of our list, as we are Italian so the sauce had to be good. Not only was it amazing, but they offered us a special Arrabbiata sauce for the two of us for our wedding dinner as we loved it so much. Since we knew the spicy sauce would not be for the masses it was nice that they gave us the option for just us. Since we are used to doing family style at home, we thought it would be most appropriate at our wedding and Anna made it happen. Their staffed started cocktail hour off with passed Hors d'oeuvres, of bruschetta, feta w/watermelon, and meatballs. I can tell you people are still raving on the meatballs! No one went hungry or thirsty during the cocktail hour. The staffed passed wine and the bartender was quick with the mixed drinks. I honestly don't think I ever had to order a drink as one was handed to me without even asking, now that's service! Family style dinner was a great hit as we had some big pasta lovers, whose platters kept getting refilled, as well as the chicken limone. I'm still not sure what was on top of the salad but people are still commenting on it. My father (who's off the boat from Sicily) and is one of the pickiest eater I know, was very impressed with the food. We could not be happier with Phill Stefani''s, Anna and their staff. She was great to work with, and on the day of our wedding she was our go to girl. She really acted as a day of coordinator and really put us at ease that everything would be OK and it was more than OK it was Amazing! We look forward to having the opportunity to work with her once again!
(5)