Aria Banquet and Catering — Attraction in Sterling

Aria Banquet Hall may look nice and yes, the food tasted good — but the customer service was absolutely atrocious and completely ruined the experience.

We brought our own appetizer from home and thank God my family had the foresight to bring our own bowls, spoons, and napkins just in case. Can you believe Aria didn’t provide ANY utensils or napkins for the appetizers? We had to serve our guests with what we brought from home. That is beyond unacceptable for a venue that claims to host professional events.

Even worse, once the appetizers were eaten, nobody from their staff came around to clear the tables. Guests were sitting at messy tables filled with used dishes and trash — and the staff just ignored it. It felt like there was zero management or care given to the guest experience.

When it came time for dinner, the food itself was great, but again, the service was a disaster. As trays emptied, no one was refilling them, despite having told us they would. My father had to ask the manager to refill them, and the manager had the nerve to say, “All the guests got the food.” Excuse me? People were still eating, and some hadn’t even gone for seconds yet.

After my brother confronted him (since it was his event), the manager reluctantly went to the kitchen and brought out three trays with such a small amount of food it barely fed one person. Two guests came up for seconds and guess what? No plates. I had to literally tell them to bring out more plates. The complete lack of attention to basic hospitality was outrageous.

Later, while my dad, brother, and I were talking, we noticed staff just started clearing all the food and dishes without even checking if everyone was finished eating. They just took it all back, assuming things were done. They didn’t ask. They didn’t check. They just started clearing like they were in a hurry to get rid of us. It honestly felt like they were trying to hoard food for themselves instead of serving the guests.

And it didn’t end there. When it came time for dessert — again, no bowls or spoons were provided. Luckily, we still had the ones we brought from home. But that’s not even the worst part — the dessert tray was tiny, nowhere near enough for a guest list of over 100 people.

I’ve never witnessed such lazy, unprofessional, and careless customer service at an event. It was embarrassing and frustrating beyond words. Aria Banquet Hall might serve good food, but the way they treat guests is...

Not sure where to even start with this business. Full disclosure, the food was good, but at what cost? First and foremost I would like to say this is a horribly ran business. We rented the venue as a rehearsal dinner party for my wedding the following day. Everything was going well until we the day before when we started preparing for the event. When we arrived to set up, the place was dirty and not prepared. The tables/linen count that the contract obtained were not set up and I personally had to grab tables from the back of the kitchen to set them up. While setting up, it felt like a sauna inside. I texted the manager that the ac needed to be turned down 4 hours before the guests arrived or else it would be too hot. He brushed this matter to the side and did not turn it down until they actually arrived. The first problem was that it was way too hot. The second problem were the drinks. The banquet hall does not provide alcohol, but they do allow you to serve it with a license and if you provide the drinks. When I was setting up, I noticed the fridge was not plugged in. I told the manager it needed to be plugged in for the drinks to get cold and he assured me it would be done. Well it was not done. I was having my phone blown up with everyone saying the drinks are hot. Now I have my brother in law and father scrambling for cold drunks for our guests DURING THE EVENT. They were so upset that they had to miss some of the event we paid a lot of money for. Third were the waiting staff. At the end of the event I am super exhausted. Now I’m closing up and the waiters asked me “where is my tip?” I was shocked to have been asked this when it was never mentioned in the contract that I would have to provide gratuity. The owner notified me that was included in the service fee. My family ended up giving them cash because they felt bad. I rarely complain and hate that I had to do so on this review. The way my family and I were treated was beyond unacceptable and forced my hand. There were other unfortunate occurrences but my hands are tired from all of this typing. I strongly recommend to not have an event here if you want it ruined. Food was...

From the moment I stepped into Aria, I knew I was in for something special. The ambiance strikes a rare balance: modern elegance softened by warm, intimate lighting and a gentle hum of conversation — no overblown opulence, just quiet confidence in the experience they’re about to offer. The service was polished without being intrusive. Our server moved with the kind of calm precision that made each course feel like a seamless continuation of the last — no awkward waits, no empty glasses. It’s the kind of hospitality that makes you feel seen without being hovered over. Now, the food. Every plate at Aria isn’t just prepared — it’s composed. The tasting menu was a masterclass in balance. A smoked beet carpaccio opened the meal with unexpected depth, followed by a seared scallop dish so tender it practically dissolved on the tongue. The highlight, however, was the mains — a lamb loin cooked to such precision it deserved its own spotlight. The flavors told a story, with thoughtful touches that showed the kitchen isn’t just following trends — they’re setting their own rhythm. Dessert surprised me: a delicate olive oil cake with burnt citrus and basil granita. It danced on the edge of savory and sweet in a way I didn’t expect, and I’m still thinking about it days later. Aria isn’t just a place to eat. It’s a space where the culinary becomes emotional, where technique meets soul. It’s not cheap, but then again, art rarely is. For anyone looking to taste intention, creativity, and restraint on a plate, Aria is not just worth the visit — it’s worth...