Need help::Deciding on 3 reception places

I'm wondering if anyone out there has any knowledge/experience at the following reception places.

1] westbury manor--it seems popular, but were you able to negotiate very much?

2] port jeff cc/lombardis on the sound--was beautiful, but they seemed pretty firm on pricing. the Banquet manager was pushing for me to take a sunday...

3] john anthony's--any negotiating power, since they're just coming out of chapter 11?

4] what about La Grange Inn in West Islip--they're undergoing a major renovation in 2005---any thoughts on this place?

Any insight, recommendations, etc are welcomed!

thanks!

I was there on Monday, and was told that they were starting the renovations on January 3rd.

the woman had NO CLUE about the color scheme, architecture, floor plan, etc, of the re-modeling---however, she did tell us that they were closing down the restaurant portion on the place. She also said that they might turn that side of the place into the cocktail hour room--which would be amazing, if they did!

that place has a ton of potential--and the price is right! I hope they're working with a good interior decorator and architect--to make it look more impressive on the inside. I LOVED the historical look of the outside, but was disappointed with how much it looked like a 'catering hall' on the inside.

good luck!

Two people I know were Married at PJCC/Lomardi's on the sound within the last month..so heres my opinion..The service was GREAT...the food was AMAZING, there was a TON of food and it was very very good.

Negatives..MAKE sure you find someplace to take pictures, they have very little room inside, and if they are having a party the same day, NO ROOM...If the weathers nice, the grounds are AMAZING, no problem there.

Also have your own direction cards made. The last wedding had over 25 people lost and more late, the direction cards are very bad and it is very hard to find that place.

Only other thing is consider depending on the amount of people only having one bar. The two bars are in the CH room and they leave the doors open to get into the reception room.. We saw way too many people sitting in the CH room versus the main room to be close to the bars or simply hanging out at the bars. There was never really a line at the bar so one would have been enough and eleviated some of the people hanging out in that room.

I also know the person who owns La Grange, the food there is AMAZING as well, Large rooms, great service. I dont know how the renovations will be, but if it makes the place more elegant then it would be GREAT for the money. The only thing I didnt like was it wasn't ' fancy ' enough so to speak for me, but the extras and such there are wonderful!

Fh & I are getting married at John Anthonys. They have a spectacular waterfront view & that was exactly what we were looking for.

They were officially bought over by the Makkos Family...owners of Terrace on the Park & will be updating bars, draperies, carpets. They also mentioned that they were expanding their side lounge room which is usually used for smaller cocktail hours & viennese hours.

Everything else is remaining the same, chef, staff, food...so I think the reputation will turn around. We got a great deal for all the extras we are having at our wedding!
GOOD LUCK!

www.johnanthonys.com