Isn't it suspicious...

lmarisch Posted: Aug 31, 2006 10:23 PM

Isn't it suspicious...

...that some catering halls will not provide a tasting before you book and spend thousands?? VYC for example - any idea why?

JIFFY Posted: Aug 31, 2006 10:28 PM

Re: Isn't it suspicious...

I don't know. I never thought of it but now that you mentioned it- I think they should provide you with a tasting before you spend all that money. I booked without one but I have been to many weddings there and know the food it good.

metmymatch Posted: Aug 31, 2006 10:29 PM

Re: Isn't it suspicious...

i never understood this either. i mean, before money is spent on a videographer or photographer, you see samples of their work. before buying a dress you go try it on. so why shouldn't we be able to taste the food at potential locations? i would even pay for it if it was the only way!

karen6474 Posted: Aug 31, 2006 10:38 PM

Re: Isn't it suspicious...

yeah i been to a few halls that said they dont tasting until u book- but what happens if u dont like the food

Soon2bMrsI Posted: Aug 31, 2006 10:42 PM

Re: Isn't it suspicious...

That would raise a question with me. I would really look into that.

LBride Posted: Aug 31, 2006 11:08 PM

Re: Isn't it suspicious...

Out of the dozen places we visited, only 1 (CLM) had a food tasting....

lmarisch Posted: Aug 31, 2006 11:09 PM

Re: Isn't it suspicious...

Posted by LBride

Out of the dozen places we visited, only 1 (CLM) had a food tasting....

what did you think of the food??

dancinmyazoff Posted: Sep 01, 2006 12:02 AM

Re: Isn't it suspicious...

We were offered a tasting at VYC prior to booking...hmmmm?

snydl40 Posted: Sep 01, 2006 12:28 AM

Re: Isn't it suspicious...

I agree it is a little fishy-but we were offered at the Old field Club and a few other places.

msf32 Posted: Sep 01, 2006 12:36 AM

Re: Isn't it suspicious...

My place doesn't either. We were told to eat at the restaurant if we wanted to try the food!!! We were told by various places that prospective brides and grooms were taking advantage of free tastings while shopping around. Personally I think you should be allowed a tasting after you book if it's such an issue. If you don't like the food you can cancel, but also they should let you taste different things to help plan your menu.

LBride Posted: Sep 01, 2006 01:48 AM

Re: Isn't it suspicious...

Posted by lmarisch

Posted by LBride

Out of the dozen places we visited, only 1 (CLM) had a food tasting....

what did you think of the food??

I realized it wasn't for me on the tour (we're having a winter wedding) so I didn't go to the tasting, but I've read a lot of posts and reviews and people seem to love it. I would ask around about the food if they don't have tastings. That's what we did for our hall. The first thing people comment on when we tell them where we're getting married is the food!

NY031978 Posted: Sep 01, 2006 06:19 AM

Re: Isn't it suspicious...

i asked that at a few halls......and the answer i got was our rep. is good and we never needed to have them! or if they do they say we dont have to do them due too our outstanding rep but we do it after a booking so you can get the feel!

i know WM where my wedding is doesnt do them...i was kinda bummed! But so far ive heard alll rave reviews! only thing i know i had at a show was the rice balls and didnt like them at all!!

Fiance26 Posted: Sep 01, 2006 06:43 AM

Re: Isn't it suspicious...

The Coral house allows a food tasting before you book. Linda was great with that. We are having our wedding there. Chataue Briand also allows a food tasting, but we didnt book there.

kathrynlinton Posted: Sep 01, 2006 07:08 AM

Re: Isn't it suspicious...

No hall I looked at offered a food tasting. I didn't try the food at Giorgio's til my wedding day.

I don't think it is that suspicious at all. It's more work for them and what if they were having an 'off' day the day of the tastings, then they would lose a lot of potential business.

Mooshyboo Posted: Sep 01, 2006 07:34 AM

Re: Isn't it suspicious...

Wow I didnt even know that ~ I would thing everybody would off this to there potential clients!

October Bliss Posted: Sep 01, 2006 10:12 AM

Re: Isn't it suspicious...

Every reception hall I looked at offered a tasting. There is NO way I would book a hall without trying the food first.

As someone else mentioned, you try on dresses before you buy one, you see samples of photographers and videographers work before you book, etc, and as I always say, you wouldn't buy a car without taking it for a test drive. Food is just too important to a wedding to NOT taste it before booking.

jessie32783 Posted: Sep 01, 2006 10:34 AM

Re: Isn't it suspicious...

I think a lot of the halls simply say that they do not offer tastings as a way to deter some people from getting a free meal without the intention of booking.

We booked the VYC, and we told them that we absolutely loved it, but that we're Italian and the food is the absolute number one thing and we couldn't book without trying the food first. (neither one of us had ever been to an affair since the new owners took over) After we said that, they were more than gracious and set a private table in one of the cocktail rooms while another event was taking place so we could try the food.

I think that if they believe you're really interested and tell them that not offering a food tasting is a deal breaker, they would be more than willing to help.

Hope this helps!!

bellaro782 Posted: Sep 01, 2006 10:37 AM

Re: Isn't it suspicious...

Posted by dancinmyazoff

We were offered a tasting at VYC prior to booking...hmmmm?

Hummmm Maybe it depends on the person you deal with at the HALLs...???

sarahradio5 Posted: Sep 01, 2006 10:41 AM

Re: Isn't it suspicious...

my place (The Crescent) doesn't offer it, yet their food is OUT OF THIS WORLD. So, I have no idea what the reasoning is. Hmmmmm....

We made them promise us a tasting when we sat down to plan the menu, though, so we had a good idea of what to pick... but just the hors deourves.

They also recommended eating at their restaurant to get an idea of how their food was since it's the same chef.

MrsD06 Posted: Sep 01, 2006 10:49 AM

Re: Isn't it suspicious...

When we looked at one hall, they said the same crap about their reputation speaking for itself. Umm....no! (especially b/c I don't think they really have much of a 'reputation' as far as food at weddings goes, I've heard very little about their food, just about their crappy customer service )

We looked at the Coral House and they did a tasting right then and there. The food was great and I recommend them to people still even tho we ended up not booking them.

The WM (where we got married) doesn't do tastings, but they told us to eat at their restaurant (without telling anyone who we were) and they would give us a full refund if we were not happy.