Windows on the Lake and others . . . Feedback appreciated!

I am getting married 7/2005, but really want to get the reception hall out of the way now. I have visited many places in nassau and suffolk counties. We are very torn between Windows on the Lake and Villa Lombardi's. We have sampled two dishes at our consultation for Windows, and have not yet been able to taste Villa's food. Any feedback about either of these sites or optional recommendations for other facilities are GREATLY appreciated=) Thanks

Re: Windows on the Lake and others . . . Feedback appreciated!

I've been to a few events at Villa Lombardi's from Graduation parties, showers and X-mas parties and every time the food was incredible!! I don't know about Windows on The Lake, I'm sure someone out there does though. Good luck in your search!

Re: Windows on the Lake and others . . . Feedback appreciated!

I haven't been to either but from things I've heard from friends and relatives, I'd go with Villa Lombardi's over Windows on the Lake. Good luck!

Re: Windows on the Lake and others . . . Feedback appreciated!

I live in Ronk. and have been to a party at windows. Go with Villa! Much more elegant and better food!

Re: Windows on the Lake and others . . . Feedback appreciated!

The food at Villa Lombardi's is DELICIOUS!! I'm not to sure about Windows. I think I remember reading a food poisoning story about them years ago...

Re: Windows on the Lake and others . . . Feedback appreciated!

i'm getting married at windows in less than 3 weeks. the food i've eaten so far has been good and the people who work there are extremely helpful and very nice. i know someone who went to a wedding there about a month ago and she said everything was wonderful. i won't know for sure until sept 1st, but i will let you know how it all goes once the wedding is over...

Re: Windows on the Lake and others . . . Feedback appreciated!

Villa Lombardi's...I agree more elegant and the food is great!

I found the man at WOTL quite annoying!

Re: Windows on the Lake and others . . . Feedback appreciated!

Phunkykat... Please don't be too alarmed with my statement. I'm sure that there's new management, new chefs and everything else there now. I wish you a wonderful and delicious day!

Re: Windows on the Lake and others . . . Feedback appreciated!

I don't mean to offend any Windows brides..just giving input based on my experience. My friend's wedding was there in May (I was a BM), and she scheduled a meeting with them when she got back from her honeymoon to try to resolve the LONG list of issues of things that were wrong. The food was actually not bad. The rest was a disaster. Again, NO offense to any Windows brides - maybe they had a bad day that day (5/25/02).

Re: Windows on the Lake and others . . . Feedback appreciated!

I have never heard a positive think about Windows on the Lake. Villas always gets raves!! But there is a huge price difference between the two? I am almost sure of it.
Did you try Port Jeff Country Club? If you want out of the way, they are on the water in Pt. Jeff and my friend's wedding was beautiful there.

Re: Windows on the Lake and others . . . Feedback appreciated!

i have never been to a wedding at villa lombardi's, although i have heard they are wonderful, but i have been to 2 at windows on the lake and i thought the food was wonderful.

Re: Windows on the Lake and others . . . Feedback appreciated!

I've never been to Windows on the Lake but I have been to 2 weddings at Villa Lombardi's and I have to say, everything was wonderful. Beautiful inside and out and outstanding food. Good luck!

Re: Windows on the Lake and others . . . Feedback appreciated!

I was married last September at the Beach Club in Lake Ronkonkoma which is owned by the same people who own Windows. I had already booked when I found this site(LI Weddings) and of course when I heard negatives about Windows I was really worried. But my experiences with them were wonderful. I found everyone easy to work with, extremely helpful and most of all patient. I had a million questions and anytime I called they were more than willing to spend time answering and reassuring me. My wedding day could not have been more perfect and they accomodated my every need. The food was outstanding and I don't say that lightly. My brother who is the executive chef at a 5 star restaurant in Boston had nothing but great things to say about the food and the service and even complimented the maitre'd on everything. My brother said the food was superior. Believe me he would have told me if it wasn't. We had many guests comment during the last year how impressed they were with everything. I would recommend them to anyone.

I have been to weddings at Villa and yes it is beautiful and has good food. But it is very very pricey and if you are not having a large wedding they won't even talk to you(that happened to me).
Lots of luck with whichever you choose.

Re: Windows on the Lake and others . . . Feedback appreciated!

Brooke, what kinds of things went wrong? I am getting married at Windows in 12 days. It bothers me that no one ever has anything decent to say about them.
I haven't had a bad experience with them as of yet, nor do I expect to. I presonally think WOTL is more elegant and more 'personal' (if that's the word) that Villa's. But maybe I'm partial.

Re: Windows on the Lake and others . . . Feedback appreciated!

I have heard second hand many good reviews about WOTL. I know they are much more cost friendly than Villa. We were going to look there, but we fell in love with the Port Jeff Country Club first.
Good luck to all getting married there...

Re: Windows on the Lake and others . . . Feedback appreciated!

When I was searching for halls, I fell in LOVE with Windows on the Lake. I did the initial search, and then my FH at the time said just to show him the ones I liked. Well, I brought him back to Windows after sitting down with a seemingly very nice man who gave me all the details and prices and even held the date August 24 for me. Prior to going back, when Id told some friends about it, a few of them told me Dont go with that place! One mentioned she had been to a wedding there and the bathrrom smelled!
Not listening to anyone, I called to make an appointment to bring my FH back. The guy I spoke to said we should come in that Sunday to his bridal showcase, and then he would speak to us in between all of the excitement. I specifically told him that I didnt want to attend 4 hours of the bridal showcase. He assured me he would sit with us around 1:00. We got to Windows about 12:30. First thing I did was check the bathroom- it smelled like a bathroom. Nothing out of the ordinary, but in a reception facility it should at least smell like air freshener. Anyway I figured I'd ask if an attendant would be possible for the evening of my wedding. At 1:00 I saw the guy that we were supposed to meet with. He brushed us off, saying he would see us shortly. We didnt see him again. By 3:30, my FH and I were livid. The annoying lady behind the counter (who btw followed us around the bridal showcase and butted into our conversations all day) said her husband was the owner and we could sit and speak with him instead of Frank (the man who i originally spoke to that brushed us off and disappeared) but we would have to wait until 5:30 for her husband. SO we left and came back at 5:30 and met with Anthony. Anthony gave us prices and information that was very different from the info I received from Frank. A different guarantee number, a different price- he even told me I couldnt have the room that I wanted, even though there was no other wedding booked there for that day! When my FH suggested that Frank should be here to clarify the info he gave me, Anthony very nastily replied 'I am the owner so it doesnt matter what he says.' Then basically said I was lying about the info Frank gave me, but we were more than welcome to wait for Frank to come back to speak to him, even though it wouldnt do any good. Needless to say we told anthony what he could do with his attitude and his reception hall and stormed out.
In summary- after being jerked around for 5 hours by people who own a reception hall woth less than clean facilities, I was called a liar and basically lied TO.
That same night is when we booked Majestic Gardens. Not only were the food and grounds beautiful, their selling point was that they were actually NICE to us.

Re: Windows on the Lake and others . . . Feedback appreciated!

I am getting married at Villa tomorrow and only had to guarantee 100 for a saturday afternoon - they do have higher minimums at night but they didn't by any means refuse to talk to me.