Hi ladies.
FI and I hiked out to Giorgios today - about 2 hours from my place in Brooklyn.
As you all know, we have been to 14 halls in NY and I went to 3 others in VA (FI saw one with me in VA). So Giorgios makes 19 for me and 16 for FI.
Giorgios is renovating and expect it to finish by the end of February. They were sanding in preparation for staining the restaurant bar area to be cherry. The attention to detail is amazing. FI's family owned company does property management so he noticed all sorts of details that I never think to check and he was impressed.
So, we get to Fox Hill and realize that we are very secluded. We passed sod farms on the way out from the exit (# 71 off the LIE). There are some condos on the water though so it's not like Freddy Krueger secluded but you get the idea.
We pulled up to a small guard booth/house (which I think is used for security) but nobody was working the gate. We both thought that was a nice touch assuming it's a manned gate. Giorgios is a little ways up the hill from the gate.
As we pull up, the place looked beautiful - even in overcast. These are pics of the entrance.
This is the lobby.
We would have our ceremony at the hall since FI's has a lot of Jehovah's Witnesses in his family (they don't do churches). So the ceremony area has to be nice.
These are pics of Giorgios ceremony area. There are speakers everywhere that blend in to the scenery and there are lights everywhere to give the space a moon glow effect even at the archway. I saw the lights embedded in the mulch. I did not take a pic of the area after the sun went down though so you have to trust me on this. LOL
George Jr. said the arch would be covered in vines. I can't picture it but I think it would be similar to the pic of the Swan Club ceremony area which uses greenery.
There is a bridge off to the left of the ceremony area - when facing the gazebo from the back door of the building. There are waterfalls too.
Call me weird but I have seen pics of the bridal party walking in with retail stores or a parking lot in the background or even buildings with the siding covered in that green mold. I hate that. So much so that I told my dad to offer to have his neighbors home (a white house) power washed. It's just gross.
So, I took pics of Giorgios from that angle – where the camera would be as I walk in with my dad. This one is from the bridge looking back at the building.
Ceremony area looking back.
We checked out the cocktail area which has stations scattered. I like that idea since many halls have all the stations in one place and there are lines. Pics of scattered stations.
There is a wrap around deck with speakers outside so guests can mingle outdoors if the weather is nice.
There are great views of the golf course which has a few hills adding a more dramatic effect I think. . There is a piano in the cocktail room. I think it’s a player piano too.
The reception room is very elegant.
I love lots of windows and the chandeliers are very nice. FI likes chandeliers too.
Lobby chandelier
The chairs in the reception room are new and very elegant. These are pics.
FI said he never knew how much chairs could change a room until we started looking at halls. He recalls all the ugly flowered chairs at most halls and then pics of chair covers. I think Russos points this out the best for one of their packages which has different linens and chair covers.
I especially like the chargers at Giorgios. It’s not the typical silver or gold. This is a pic of it.
The sweetheart table has a great view (for pics of the couple sitting). Here’s the pic but I did not take a great one of the view of the ceremony area/golf course.
The bar area for the cocktail room turns into the reception room near the seating area. Here’s a pic of it facing the cocktail room.
The seating areas (side by side) add a nice touch to the reception room.
Then there is the bridal suite and grooms suite. I did not take a bunch of pics of either but here they are for your viewing pleasure.
Bridal suite with chafing dishes set up
Grooms suite
George Jr. is a doll. We were there for about 90 minutes talking about all sorts of things including working for a family business which is FI’s situation too.
So, all in all we really like Giorgios. FI said his only complaint is that it is soooooo far out but that at least “it’s not Mexico” which is what his family (one brother specifically) complained about. The price is good too.
FI still likes Villa Lombardi’s but agrees that Giorgios has more mainstream décor. He also likes Jericho Terrace and the BM we met, Mike Closs. Not to mention, Mike gave us a great price of $55pp++ with a 115 minimum for 10/10/05. FI also still likes Fox Hollow but we never did get pricing for October 2005. I think we got a price of $75pp for September 05 and then $51 pp for 2/19/06.
Oh yeah, Giorgios is renovating the ladies bathroom to add more stalls and a lounge area. George’s brother (can’t recall his name) was sanding down the bar area in the restaurant since it will be cherry wood after it’s stained. FI’s loves cherry wood. There are also renovations being done to the lobby area, new wallpaper and moldings I think.
Special thinks to Amy (amyandeddie) for convincing me to check them out. I called her from the LIE after our visit. LOL
FI says we can look at one more hall –making and even 20 for me and 17 for him. Any suggestions? I have a top 4 of the halls I like but even George Jr. said we should compare. LOL
FI was not thrilled with that idea but wants to make sure we covered all our options before we sign anything. We also got a $50 certificate to try the food at Giorgios – a blind tasting. We are to not tell George Jr. we are coming and we are not to use our real names for the reservation. Sounds covert and fun. LOL But I do like the idea that we get to check them out w/o anyone being the wiser.
Thanks ladies.
