A few weeks ago I booked the North Ritz Club with FH. We both loved it at the time, but I am now panicking because I received a bad review from a friend who is 'in the catering business' and attended the NRC on New Year's Eve. She said she wasn't at all impressed with the food but didn't really go into specifics about what was so bad. I asked the NRC for a tasting, and they said that if I do a tasting now, that I wouldn't be able to do another for my wedding (and my wedding is 2 years away)!
I have an Italian family that just had 2 recent weddings at the Carltun and Hamlet CC in Commack so food is very important! I priced Russo's on the Bay for the SAME night as my wedding (because I have recently heard how wonderful their food is) and much to my disbelief, it was CHEAPER than the NRC! I don't know how the NRC would react to my cancellation, if I would lose a lot of $$$$ or even if canceling is worth the hassle. Any thoughts on this matter? I am driving my FH, friends and family (not to mention myself) crazy!!!
Thank you in advance!!!
june262004
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Re: North Ritz Club vs Russo's - help please!
I have never heard anything bad about NRC. They are great. I cant believe Russo's would be cheaper!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Russos is amazing. Im sorry im really no help.
MCDO15
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Re: North Ritz Club vs Russo's - help please!
there will always be 1 bad comment about everything...i went to my sister wedding a few months back...trust one...this is the place to have. i would of picked this is my sister didn't get married here. Food/service/staff/everything.. A+++++++ The grounds are great, the interior is great.
Lorena
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Re: North Ritz Club vs Russo's - help please!
Everyone has their personal preferences. We visited both North Ritz and Russo's. We got similar prices for both. For us the Sunday night was slightly cheaper at North Ritz. I was so impressed by North Ritz. We would have booked them had our preferred date been available. I was so impressed by the look and feel of the place. I really got the impression that they take care of their guests, especially because they only have one party at a time. I've never been to a party there but heard rave reviews from a friend. I have been to a party at Russo's. The food is incredible. There is no doubt. I didn't like a few things about it though. There are practically no grounds outdoors (maybe not so important to you for November), many things that were included in the prices elsewhere were 'add-ons' at Russo's, they require you to use one of their recommended florists (and don't give you info about their vendors until you book), and it just wasn't unique to us because so many people we know have had or are having parties there.
I don't know if any of this helps, I've just given my personal opinion. But I have also had doubts about the place we've chosen and have also driven my fiance crazy! But he reminded me why we chose our place. Maybe you just need to remember all your reasons for booking NR.
Good luck !!!
AJsMommy122
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Re: North Ritz Club vs Russo's - help please!
Honestly my FI comes from an Italian family.. and they LOVE Russos!! Almost everyone on that side in the past 10 years has gotten married there!! The food is awsome!! If its cheaper I would go for it. - Even after you factor in the deposit amount you would loose.. is russos still the same price or cheaper??
septbride
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Re: North Ritz Club vs Russo's - help please!
I may be biased b/c I got married there but they did a great job!!! I don't think you will be disappointed.
Like I've said before they were on top of every detail! The food was fabulous and in abundance!
I am a NRC bride and everyone raved about the food from my wedding (and DH is from an Italian background) and my mom is in the catering hall business. I didn't hear one bad thing about them and I was begging my mom to tell me something bad (she is very pcky since she is in the business).
I can tell you that I did hear a bad things about NRC during my planning in regard to the kitchen (my mom heard a rumor). Well, I told NRC and on the spot they walked my into their kitchen and it was very clean - my mom even couldn't believe how well it was kept. (I heard they weren't clean). You will always hear bad things about some of your vendors - take it with a grain of salt and go with your gut
As far as Russo's I have heard great things about the food. It just isn't my type of place - I guess since I grew up in that neighborhood and I am not a neighborhood type person - I just wasn't into it. Also, a relative worked there for a short time and quit because of some bad stuff she saw so it wasn't even on my list to look at - even though my Italian in-laws wanted me too! My brother goes there for the NYE parties (he went at least 2-3 years) and says the food is great and plentiful.
AtticaQT
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Re: North Ritz Club vs Russo's - help please!
I havent looked at Russo's so i cant really comment on a comparison of the two. What I can say though is I am very confident in food, service and qualty that the NRC has to offer. I booked without having a tasting - solely on their great reputation. Many people have told me their food is great quality and plentiful so I'm not worried about that.
I personally like the fact that the NRC is fairly new - and not very many people have heard of it. I know that more than half my guests will be in for a surprise when they see how beautiful a hall it is. I'm excited that my hall will be unique and not a well known hall - that adds to the day...
All the brides that have gotten married here have had nothing but wonderful comments about the NRC - I'm Greek and food is a big thing with my family also - so i understand your concern...
Maybe you can confront them with your concern and ask for a mini tasting now - just too ease your worries?
ETA: I am really surprised that Russo's is less expensive than the NRC...I thought Russo's was supposed to be crazy expensive - that is why we didnt look at it to begin with - are you comparing the same amount of add-ons with the price that you were quoted?
Edited again - I almost forgot - also take into consideration that the NRC is only ONE wedding at a time - that was a very important factor for me -
missmmpr
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Re: North Ritz Club vs Russo's - help please!
I come form a huge italian family and we had our tasting already...No one was disappointed...The food was great! I know a few people who got married there and they didn't have any problems....
WinterBride2005
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Re: North Ritz Club vs Russo's - help please!
The important thing to remeber is that there will always be a complainer. Unless, you have heard the same complaint by a number of people, I would not worry about it. Go with the place you like. You can't please everyone. This is your day!! Enjoy it!!
Miro127
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Re: North Ritz Club vs Russo's - help please!
i dont know anything about russo's so i cant give an opinion there, but as a bride who had her wedding at NRC, i didnt have a SINGLE complaint. not that it really matters, but i have a large italian family as well, and seriously, everyone RAVED about the food and the service. there wasnt a single detail that NRC overlooked and everything was simply stellar!!
MrsNYPDsGirl
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Re: North Ritz Club vs Russo's - help please!
Thanks so much for all of your input. Believe it or not, the add-ons I would do at Russo's were the same price pp than my options at the NRC. I was going to scale them down at Russo's though because I heard they give sooo much food (only mini-viennese which includes 1/2 hr addtl reception and shrimp at Russos vs. the shrimp, clams and oysters and an addtl charge of $500 for 1/2 hr of addtl time at NRC).
There are pros and cons to everything... With the money I would lose from my deposit at NRC, the prices for the 2 places are about equal.
AtticaQT
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Re: North Ritz Club vs Russo's - help please!
They do have A LOT of time to rebook though - so chances you might not even lose the money - just wait a long time to get it back...
I still like the NRC, but i am definitely biased
Gagie24
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Re: North Ritz Club vs Russo's - help please!
You cannot compare New Year's Eve with a wedding. Everyone knows the food for New Year's is not great. They will do an excellent job for a wedding. Go for a tasting before you decide to cancel if you are worried.
My friend went to a wedding there and thought the place was wonderful.
july16bride
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Re: North Ritz Club vs Russo's - help please!
I agree that New Years Eve is completely different from a wedding. They don't use the same food and do not provide the same service. The only people you should listen to are NRC brides!
endlessluv429
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Re: North Ritz Club vs Russo's - help please!
Obviously i am biased about NRC--but it really is spectacular--it's brand new, it's not a bridal factory--one wedding @ a time-and they are obsessed with everything being perfect. I Actually went there last week and the girl i deal with (Jennie--who I LOVE by the way) lol said New Years Eve didn't really get a great turn out-it went ok she said. you so can't compare it to a wedding. everyone i tell that i am having my wedding @ NRC gasps and tells me how amazing it is.
My FBIL just got married @ RUSSOS a few months ago. I must say, NRC is more my style. Don't get me wrong, the place is beautiful, there were just too many things going on @ once. The food and service were amazing. You really can't go wrong with either one.
Maribelle7777
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Re: North Ritz Club vs Russo's - help please!
ONE person you know said bad things about NRC. You shouldn't go by just what ONE person said. Maybe she just didn't like the food. In 2 years things can change. I would not worry.
AJARD
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Re: North Ritz Club vs Russo's - help please!
I was a NRC bride on 12/7/03. Everyone raved about the cocktail hour and my husbands family is all from Brooklyn and they are Italian. I met some restaurant owners that went to a wedding there recently of thier friends that are all restautaur friends and they loved the food. Also being in the restuarant/catering industry I would never rate a catering hall by a Public function like New Year Eve. Your function and food is customized.. also the NRC has unique ethic/international variety.. like peking duck, dim sum etc.. so if a person is not big on the diversity they will probably say is was not so good.. as for me and my crowd, that is why we thought it was exceptional. Good Luck
Annemarie13
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Re: North Ritz Club vs Russo's - help please!
I have been to a million affairs at Russo's and the food and service is impeccable! Nothing compares to it.
I didnt get married there only because I wanted something different. I actually have my best friend's wedding there this saturday.
TogetherForever
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Re: North Ritz Club vs Russo's - help please!
IMO: If your family and your fiance's family has already been to Russos, I say have it at NRC. IF they have never been to Russos for a party...then book it there!! Russos is highly recommended for many reasons...it's awesome!! But me personally...I have been there for Sweet 16s, communions, weddings...my brother's engagement party is going to be there in April...so it's like the same feeling for every party... Overall, I think Russos is an awesome place for a wedding ESPECIALLY if your family has never been there.
