Mini-Review: Tasting at Douglaston Manor
I should have posted this a couple weeks ago, but work was nuts and then I went on vacation after Thanksgiving...
A few weeks ago, FH and I went to a tasting at Douglaston Manor. Even though we ultimately booked elsewhere, we were VERY torn between the Metropolitan (where we booked) and Douglaston Manor, even though the two halls are really rather different.
Anyway, even though I didn't book there, I DID want to put in a really good word for them because my FH and I were both really impressed with them. I know they recently had some negative things posted here about them, and I can say that my experience was the exact opposite of some of the negative things I've heard. (I'm sure the DM brides will agree). Bear in mind that it has changed ownership, so some of the older reviews may be inaccurate. (It opened after its renovations on St. Patrick's Day of this past year)
Anyway, I will say that from the first time I called, every member of their staff was friendly and accomodating... and we visited there three separate times! I had a chance to meet both BMs there (Chris and Thomas) and thought they were both incredibly nice, as was the rest of the staff. Their menu is amazing and you get a LOT of food for your money.
As you know, though, quantity may not always equal quality... So we scheduled a tasting. We were invited to come before a wedding and take a look at the set up (which was lovely) in the CH room and the main ballroom. We were then seated in the offices before the wedding party began. We were offered cocktails and had waiters / waitresses checking on us every 10 mins or so to refresh our drinks / plates.
I have to say that the food was excellent. I think the only think we didn't like were the egg rolls. Other than that, the food was great (and FH and I are both picky!) The seafood was especially good - loved the paella!
I'll also add that HelenZ stopped by that night, too, just to take a peek at the room all set up. She had already booked there and already been to a tasting there. They were just as pleasant to her and even invited her to stay for cocktails and the tasting. I was impressed!
So, even though we chose to go with the Metropolitan for various reasons, we were both really impressed with Douglaston Manor. It was clean, decorated nicely, etc. The view of the golf course from the glass room is amazing. Your CH can be indoors/outoors (glass room, which is airconditioned and doors out to more tables on the patio). The main ballroom also has doors that open onto a patio so guests can go outside to smoke or whatever. The main ballroom is spacious with high ceilings. They also have a gorgeous 2-room bridal suite with a private bathroom. The bridal suite has a balcony overlooking the main ballroom.
Oh, and I almost forgot - as long as you stay off the grass, you can take pictures on the golf course there.
The only thing I didn't care for was the fact that there is no real 'stage' for the band / DJ (though it looks just great all set up) and there is no separate flooring for the dance floor (no wooden dance floor). The room isn't carpeted, so the dance floor / dance floor area isn't a problem at all. This wouldn't be a deal breaker for me, though, I have to say. They can also have other (smaller) parties going on at the same time, but they would generally not even start until 2 hours into your wedding.
One final note, I thought the prices were amazing for what they were offering. TONS of CH food and a 4 course dinner. Guests at dinner have a choice of 2 pastas for the pasta course and a choice of 5 entrees. One of the things I loved about it there was that none of the 'nicer' entrees (like sea bass, filet mignon, etc.) were extra. We could put anything on the menu we liked.
I have a feeling that prices here will go way up in the next couple of years, too, so I felt it was a fantastic deal!
Anyway, if you're looking for a reception for anywhere from 125 - 200+ guests, I'd definitely look here. (It was set up for 220 people when we went for the tasting, and it was not overcrowded... though they were using oval tables)
A few weeks ago, FH and I went to a tasting at Douglaston Manor. Even though we ultimately booked elsewhere, we were VERY torn between the Metropolitan (where we booked) and Douglaston Manor, even though the two halls are really rather different.
Anyway, even though I didn't book there, I DID want to put in a really good word for them because my FH and I were both really impressed with them. I know they recently had some negative things posted here about them, and I can say that my experience was the exact opposite of some of the negative things I've heard. (I'm sure the DM brides will agree). Bear in mind that it has changed ownership, so some of the older reviews may be inaccurate. (It opened after its renovations on St. Patrick's Day of this past year)
Anyway, I will say that from the first time I called, every member of their staff was friendly and accomodating... and we visited there three separate times! I had a chance to meet both BMs there (Chris and Thomas) and thought they were both incredibly nice, as was the rest of the staff. Their menu is amazing and you get a LOT of food for your money.
As you know, though, quantity may not always equal quality... So we scheduled a tasting. We were invited to come before a wedding and take a look at the set up (which was lovely) in the CH room and the main ballroom. We were then seated in the offices before the wedding party began. We were offered cocktails and had waiters / waitresses checking on us every 10 mins or so to refresh our drinks / plates.
I have to say that the food was excellent. I think the only think we didn't like were the egg rolls. Other than that, the food was great (and FH and I are both picky!) The seafood was especially good - loved the paella!
I'll also add that HelenZ stopped by that night, too, just to take a peek at the room all set up. She had already booked there and already been to a tasting there. They were just as pleasant to her and even invited her to stay for cocktails and the tasting. I was impressed!
So, even though we chose to go with the Metropolitan for various reasons, we were both really impressed with Douglaston Manor. It was clean, decorated nicely, etc. The view of the golf course from the glass room is amazing. Your CH can be indoors/outoors (glass room, which is airconditioned and doors out to more tables on the patio). The main ballroom also has doors that open onto a patio so guests can go outside to smoke or whatever. The main ballroom is spacious with high ceilings. They also have a gorgeous 2-room bridal suite with a private bathroom. The bridal suite has a balcony overlooking the main ballroom.
Oh, and I almost forgot - as long as you stay off the grass, you can take pictures on the golf course there.
The only thing I didn't care for was the fact that there is no real 'stage' for the band / DJ (though it looks just great all set up) and there is no separate flooring for the dance floor (no wooden dance floor). The room isn't carpeted, so the dance floor / dance floor area isn't a problem at all. This wouldn't be a deal breaker for me, though, I have to say. They can also have other (smaller) parties going on at the same time, but they would generally not even start until 2 hours into your wedding.
One final note, I thought the prices were amazing for what they were offering. TONS of CH food and a 4 course dinner. Guests at dinner have a choice of 2 pastas for the pasta course and a choice of 5 entrees. One of the things I loved about it there was that none of the 'nicer' entrees (like sea bass, filet mignon, etc.) were extra. We could put anything on the menu we liked.
I have a feeling that prices here will go way up in the next couple of years, too, so I felt it was a fantastic deal!
Anyway, if you're looking for a reception for anywhere from 125 - 200+ guests, I'd definitely look here. (It was set up for 220 people when we went for the tasting, and it was not overcrowded... though they were using oval tables)
