Cafe Sazon
Call on this Columbia Pike eatery for any combination of Latin American specialties, from a taco bar featuring its popular tacos de birria to chicken empanadas and cheesy pupusas. Café Sazon offers delivery, set-up and cleanup, or you can pick-up the spread yourself. No need to order dessert elsewhere and make two stops. The pastry counter features colorful cupcakes in an ever-changing array of flavors, and the baking staff also does a mean tres leches cake, bread pudding and other sweets. // 4704 Columbia Pike, Arlington (Columbia Pike)
Thai Select
In addition to traditional Thai dishes like tamarind-laced pad Thai, wide-noodle pad see ew, Panang curry, chicken satay and spicy kaprow with duck or beef, this restaurant in Colonial Village Shopping Center offers an extensive sushi menu, with party platters laden with options ranging from avocado maki and shrimp tempura rolls to all the nigiri your heart desires. The two-year-old Arlington spot has a 30-mile radius for catering delivery. Owner Debbie Ratanaprasith says the staff can prepare an order for 30 guests or less with only two hours’ notice. // 1713 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Good Company Doughnuts & Café
The veteran-owned family business in Ballston offers sweet and savory options for groups. Barista boxes featuring Intelligensia coffee or Kilogram tea (they also offer hot chocolate or hot apple cider), pair well with “celebration trays” piled high with the house specialty—yeast or cake doughnuts—or bagels and spreads. The “toast tray,” featuring toast triangles with avocado, burrata, figs, roasted mushrooms and other toppers, is also a bestseller. Good Company requests 48 hours’ notice for most orders; a day more if the guest count tops 50. // 672 N. Glebe Road, Arlington (Ballston)
Our Mom Eugenia
Last year, the acclaimed Greek restaurant in Great Falls opened a second location in the Mosaic District. The kitchen doesn’t have a set menu of catering options, per se, but instead works with guests to develop custom spreads that accommodate dietary restrictions and other needs. Popular dishes to share include spinach-stuffed spanakopita; taramosalata and tzatziki with fresh pita bread; and kolokithokeftedes— zucchini fritters with a dollop of feta and mint. Small orders can be prepared with a week’s notice, but the family-owned restaurant requires more lead time for anything “more elaborate” and will deliver for a fee. // 2985 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Co.
Order a catered feast from Rocklands and you can have it all—ribs, shrimp, chopped pork, mac’ n’ cheese, Texas corn pudding… and even an on-site grill with a dedicated pit master. The lengthy catering menu also includes a bevy of options for passed hors d’oeuvres or stationary finger foods. Rocklands can deliver with 24 hours’ notice, or, with a few days of lead time, you can schedule a food truck to come to your event. If you want to go whole hog, the restaurant can even provide whole smoked pigs, set up a grill or bring everything you need for a full bar to create a festive gathering in your backyard. // 3471 Washington Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)