Chateau Briand Review - VERY LONG
OK, Ladies. Here is the review I promised you. I attended a wedding of FH's co-worker last night at the CB and we had an amazing time.
First of all, the CB is a beautiful place! I had never been there and found the place to be unique, warm and inviting. Not to mention spotless!
(I was paying attention to every little detail)
The biggest compliment I have to give the place is their FOOD. It was probably the best food I have ever had at a wedding!![]()
The cocktail hour was held in the SATURNIA room and can I tell you that they had every type of food imaginable there. And everything was delicious, from the seafood bar, to the hot pasta and chicken stations, to the cheese and cold meat platters, to the fruit and salad dishes. Plenty of food for everyone and did not notice quantities low except for the cocktail sauce. I ended up eating my shrimp without the sauce, and it was delicious anyway.
Oh, BTW, forgot to mention that as soon as we walked in there was very friendly staff there waiting to direct us and a piano player was playing in the lobby. A second staff member graciously pushed the elevator for us and held the door while we entered.
They had a jazz quartet playing at the cocktail hour which was very nice and no line at the bar.
Should mention that they had about 275 people at the wedding.
The reception was held in the Leonardo room which was spectacular. I love the sheer draping that they have along the ceiling and the chair covers were beautiful. The couple chose to alternate low centerpieces with high centerpieces and this looked really NICE! Even though the room is big and could handle all high centerpieces, I noticed that the high ones were at tables against the wall and perhaps they did this so not to block back tables view of the dance floor? Both the low and high centerpeices complimented each other beautifully.
I'm sorry to say that I did not get the name of the florist or the band (We were too busy dancing), but will ask the couple when they return from their honeymoon.
The room accommodated a 10-12 piece band/lighting staff no problem.
Sorry I am jumping from topic to topic.![]()
Another great thing about the CB is that there is plenty of help and as far as I saw, all very friendly. I particularly liked our waiter (Sel). Our drinks were always full and our napkins always folded. If we needed anything, Sel was always quick to respond to our request. There were two bottles of wine at each table, and when anybody's glass was low, Sel was refilling. In between each course, he replaced missing silverware. I would want him as a waiter at my wedding.
Dinner: Absolutely fantastic!
First Course: Field greens tossed in a raspberry vinaigrette served with a port wine poached pear, caramelized walnuts, goat cheese, and skewered honey glazed shrimp with pineapple and mandarin orange. NOW THATS A SALAD!
(I told you I would have notepad and pen, only kidding I brought home the menu )![]()
Pasta Course: Gourmet Trio Ravioli - Spinach Ravioli filled with Ricotta, mozzarella and pecorino cheese in a pomodoro sauce: Sundried tomato ravioli filled with grilled vegetables: Lemon pepper ravioli filled with shrimp and served with roasted garlic cream sauce. You got one of each. They were large and delicioso!
Entree: Choice of Filet Migon, Chicken Provencal, Veal Chop Peregourdine, or Chiliean Sea Bass.
I had the Filet Migon which was pan seared and garnished with Pate' de Foie Gras, and topped with a Madeira Wine Sauce. Again, I know this is getting boring, but fantastic! It was so tender, they don't even give you a steak knife. Regular knife worked just fine. Also served with a fried potato roll and mixed vegetables, which were very crunchy like I like, but I know others, like my FH, prefer less crunchy.
FH had the veal which he also said was very good, but on the dry side. I noticed that there was not much gravy on the veal.
Can't really comment about the chicken or fish, but others at our table enjoyed them.
Dessert: Now I am a dessert person and had I known how much there would be I would have saved a little more room. Each person got there own plate with tartufo, a fruit tart and a slice of wedding cake. I tasted everything which was very good. At each table there was also a fresh fruit platter (my favorite-so sweet), a cookie and pastry platter, and a basket of Figs and Fennel. Although all very good, way too much food after a meal like that. Not to mention the Espresso and Cappuccino bar and after dinner cordials in petite choclate cups.
Anybody getting married at the CB, does not have to worry at all about the food. You will not be disappointed.
The staff, although so many of them, kept things running smoothly, were very friendly and were also unobtrusive.
The only things I would add are that for 275 people, a bathroom with only three stalls can get tight. Everytime I went, there was a wait and at times the line almost went out the door.
Second, it was very warm in there (and I'm usually cold). Not only the reception room, but the hallway and bathroom, too.
Find out about the thermostats, girls, and make sure they can adjust them during the evening.
Finally, this can't be helped, but somebody has to be the last to be served, so we waited a little extra for our dinner and as a result while we were still eating the lights went really low and they started back out on the dance floor with some fog and strob lights and our table couldn't see what we were eating. But once it hit our mouths..MMM MMM GOOD!
Hope this helps those who are either getting married at CB or are considering it. Enjoy ladies, and make sure you eat. You don't want to miss it![]()
First of all, the CB is a beautiful place! I had never been there and found the place to be unique, warm and inviting. Not to mention spotless!
(I was paying attention to every little detail)
The biggest compliment I have to give the place is their FOOD. It was probably the best food I have ever had at a wedding!
The cocktail hour was held in the SATURNIA room and can I tell you that they had every type of food imaginable there. And everything was delicious, from the seafood bar, to the hot pasta and chicken stations, to the cheese and cold meat platters, to the fruit and salad dishes. Plenty of food for everyone and did not notice quantities low except for the cocktail sauce. I ended up eating my shrimp without the sauce, and it was delicious anyway.
Oh, BTW, forgot to mention that as soon as we walked in there was very friendly staff there waiting to direct us and a piano player was playing in the lobby. A second staff member graciously pushed the elevator for us and held the door while we entered.
They had a jazz quartet playing at the cocktail hour which was very nice and no line at the bar.
Should mention that they had about 275 people at the wedding.
The reception was held in the Leonardo room which was spectacular. I love the sheer draping that they have along the ceiling and the chair covers were beautiful. The couple chose to alternate low centerpieces with high centerpieces and this looked really NICE! Even though the room is big and could handle all high centerpieces, I noticed that the high ones were at tables against the wall and perhaps they did this so not to block back tables view of the dance floor? Both the low and high centerpeices complimented each other beautifully.
I'm sorry to say that I did not get the name of the florist or the band (We were too busy dancing), but will ask the couple when they return from their honeymoon.
The room accommodated a 10-12 piece band/lighting staff no problem.
Sorry I am jumping from topic to topic.
Another great thing about the CB is that there is plenty of help and as far as I saw, all very friendly. I particularly liked our waiter (Sel). Our drinks were always full and our napkins always folded. If we needed anything, Sel was always quick to respond to our request. There were two bottles of wine at each table, and when anybody's glass was low, Sel was refilling. In between each course, he replaced missing silverware. I would want him as a waiter at my wedding.
Dinner: Absolutely fantastic!
First Course: Field greens tossed in a raspberry vinaigrette served with a port wine poached pear, caramelized walnuts, goat cheese, and skewered honey glazed shrimp with pineapple and mandarin orange. NOW THATS A SALAD!
(I told you I would have notepad and pen, only kidding I brought home the menu )
Pasta Course: Gourmet Trio Ravioli - Spinach Ravioli filled with Ricotta, mozzarella and pecorino cheese in a pomodoro sauce: Sundried tomato ravioli filled with grilled vegetables: Lemon pepper ravioli filled with shrimp and served with roasted garlic cream sauce. You got one of each. They were large and delicioso!
Entree: Choice of Filet Migon, Chicken Provencal, Veal Chop Peregourdine, or Chiliean Sea Bass.
I had the Filet Migon which was pan seared and garnished with Pate' de Foie Gras, and topped with a Madeira Wine Sauce. Again, I know this is getting boring, but fantastic! It was so tender, they don't even give you a steak knife. Regular knife worked just fine. Also served with a fried potato roll and mixed vegetables, which were very crunchy like I like, but I know others, like my FH, prefer less crunchy.
FH had the veal which he also said was very good, but on the dry side. I noticed that there was not much gravy on the veal.
Can't really comment about the chicken or fish, but others at our table enjoyed them.
Dessert: Now I am a dessert person and had I known how much there would be I would have saved a little more room. Each person got there own plate with tartufo, a fruit tart and a slice of wedding cake. I tasted everything which was very good. At each table there was also a fresh fruit platter (my favorite-so sweet), a cookie and pastry platter, and a basket of Figs and Fennel. Although all very good, way too much food after a meal like that. Not to mention the Espresso and Cappuccino bar and after dinner cordials in petite choclate cups.
Anybody getting married at the CB, does not have to worry at all about the food. You will not be disappointed.
The staff, although so many of them, kept things running smoothly, were very friendly and were also unobtrusive.
The only things I would add are that for 275 people, a bathroom with only three stalls can get tight. Everytime I went, there was a wait and at times the line almost went out the door.
Second, it was very warm in there (and I'm usually cold). Not only the reception room, but the hallway and bathroom, too.
Find out about the thermostats, girls, and make sure they can adjust them during the evening.
Finally, this can't be helped, but somebody has to be the last to be served, so we waited a little extra for our dinner and as a result while we were still eating the lights went really low and they started back out on the dance floor with some fog and strob lights and our table couldn't see what we were eating. But once it hit our mouths..MMM MMM GOOD!
Hope this helps those who are either getting married at CB or are considering it. Enjoy ladies, and make sure you eat. You don't want to miss it
