Get the Point: Toasted pita "daggers" by Serena Bass.

Acquolina Catering
2191 Third Ave., nr. 120th St., fourth fl.
212-994-9300
acquolinacatering.com
Acquolina's team of chefs has fed Massimo Ferragamo, Giorgio Armani, and Princess Alexandra of Greece. Expect delectable hors d’oeuvre like quail-egg-and-paprika canapés and Parmesan tulips with prosciutto mousse; entrées range from spinach-and-ricotta gnocchi to filet mignon with aged balsamic vinegar. Cocktail hours start at $25, seated dinners from $80.

Annemarie's Feast
232 E. 6th St., nr. Second Ave.
212-367-9160
914-833-3686
annfeast.com
Annemarie's specializes in classic European-influenced and fusion cuisine. A dinner might include French onion tart hors d’oeuvre, julienne of asparagus topped with smoked salmon as a first course, and a rack of lamb with parsley-mustard-garlic crust as a second course. Sit-down or buffet service available for $160 and up.

Art of Eating Catering and Events
631-267-2411
hamptonsartofeating.com
This popular Hamptons company lists Billy Joel, the Clintons, and Martha Stewart among its clients. It’ll create a menu to meet any specifications, no matter how obscure—past weddings have called for Balkan entrées and Nicaraguan hors d’oeuvre—and whenever possible, the chefs use organic ingredients from local producers. Prices for buffets, seated affairs, and family-style dinners range from $55 to $95.

Blue Smoke Catering
116 E. 27th St., nr. Lexington Ave.
212-447-6058
Danny Meyer caters his popular barbecue for couples who like to roll up their sleeves and dig in. His “Old Hickory” pits smoke everything from pulled pork, brisket, and vegetable sliders to grilled salmon and Memphis-style baby back ribs (from $35).

Callahan Catering
37 W. 39th St., nr. Sixth Ave., Ste. 406
212-327-1144
callahancatering.com
He’s served gourmet feasts to the crème de la crème, but Peter Callahan isn’t above indulging campier cravings with haute grilled-cheese sandwiches, pigs-in-blankets (both traditional and reimagined with smoked salmon and wasabi caviar on black bread), and Popsicle-tinis (small fruit Popsicles with vodka). Prices range from $225 to $300.

Charles, Sally and Charles
1000 Washington Ave., nr. Eastern Pkwy.
Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
718-398-2400
palmhouse.com
The Krause family are known for their creative cocktail hours and gourmet entr�es like Chilean sea bass with capers. They're the exclusive caterers at the Palm House at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, but will do other parties, too-if you've got more than 200 guests ($110-$160 including alcohol).

Chef & Company
8 W. 18th St., nr. Fifth Ave.
646-336-1980
chefandco.com It�s your day, and this catering company is endlessly flexible about letting couples plan their own menu�whether it�s a Napa Valley�style barbecue (grilled sea-bass kebabs, roasted corn and black-bean salsa, grilled rustic bread) or an elegant five-course sit-down dinner with a full sushi bar and succulent filet mignon. Either way, this caterer prides itself on being creative: One client was even treated to a hot-dog cart. A cocktail hour starts at $125 and a sit-down dinner at about $200 (both with full bar).

The Cleaver Company
Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Ave., at 15th St.
212-741-9174
cleaverco.com
An East Coast Alice Waters, Mary Cleaver has a following among food snobs for her emphasis on high-quality, organic, local ingredients like seasonal tomatoes and the organic chicken she uses for her brochettes (from $185 including alcohol).  

David Ziff Cooking
184 E. 93rd St., nr. Third Ave.
212-289-6199
Nobody, says Eli Zabar, does better hors d’oeuvre than the highly rated David Ziff: caramelized bacon and salmon gravlax on toast, tuna tartare in a phyllo cup, and the like. Entrées include inspired choices like chicken escargot. For kids, Ziff makes chicken fingers and pizzas, and will set up a sundae bar ($150–$250, cake included).

DM Cuisine, Ltd.
10 W. 15th St., nr. Fifth Ave., Ste. 813
212-673-5348
dmcuisine.com
At one wedding breakfast, DM Cuisine dazzled guests with a hand-passed breakfast of mini blueberry pancakes and eggs in baby phyllo baskets. Owner Daniel Mattrocce is equally adept at elegant fusion cuisine and French fare ($150–$250).