This is a LONG REVIEW, but to summarize:
Do yourself a favor, take your money, $85 a person in my case $91 SINCE I PAID EXTRA FOR A CARVING STATION THEY DIDNT EVEN HAVE, and find yourself a WAYYY better venue and CATERSSS for sure. Food was so below par. And if you have a smaller party be ready to be treated as 2nd class citizens. Very disorganized! No proper management.
If you want details continue reading:
6/20/23: I had a party of 45 and had the “Venetian room” (at the venue itself it’s labeled like the bridal room). I paid $5506 total for this medical school graduation party.
Here were all the things wrong at my event:
there was no pigs in a blanket or salmon sandwiches for the hors d’oeuvres. Items we PAID FOR AND PICKED. Email proof at hand. there was no roast beef at the carving station. PAID EXTRA. all the food was cold from the beginning. -the bread was cold, hard and stale. the chicken adobo we tried at the food tasting was completely different than what was served. We tried this creamy white sauce based chicken. But at the venue it was a tomato based sauce. FYI: they don’t let you taste all menu items. They bring you in on a random Saturday or Sunday that they already have a party going on and let you taste whatever THEY have for the night. -the eggplant Rollatini was completely different from the food tasting. There was no cheese on it. -none of the food was labeled so none of us knew what is what. My friend was gluten intolerant and when they asked the servers, people were even more confused. They only ended up eating salad. they allow you to leave stuff in the office the week of the event. some of our items locked in the offices including the macaroons in the fridge wasn’t accessible till about an hour into the party. None of the staff knew where it was or what to do or have a key to the office. They just said none of the mangers are in. the room wasn’t set up the way we laid out on the floor plan. Each table was missing table set up for the 9th person. And if that was not possible we should’ve been informed earlier because around 5 of my guests didn’t have a place to sit to eat. I was running around trying to make tables with the decorative tree stumps.
Overall it was pretty disorganized and the staff also seemed confused at most points. There was no managers on the day of. The captain was confused and communication was off.
I planned this event 3 months in advance I worked hard penny to penny and on the day of it turned out rushed disorganized and ultimately disappointing. I felt since I had a smaller party we were overlooked and just given leftovers. And when I expressed my concerns the very morning the party ended, the event manager replied oh captain of the wait staff said everything seemed fine. What did he want me to do fight in front of my guests? I voiced the things that were wrong and she kept insisting that this is all she knows and all she was instructed to do.
UPDATE: 6/25 I was asked to take down this review but I will post an update instead. After speaking to the general manager this is what I was offered from a requested refund of $2047.50.
I reviewed your feedback and contract thoroughly, and I want to offer you refund of $985.89 for the missing/wrong items.
This is how I came up with the proposed number. 1 Carving: $135 ($3 per guest per item) + $38.98 (administrative fee and taxes) 2 Hors D'oeuvres: $180 ($2 per guest per item) + $51.98 (administrative fee and taxes) 2 Main dishes: $450 ($5 per guest per item) + $129.94 (administrative fee and taxes)
Even though the general manager offered less than half of the refund I requested I feel forced to accept this. But it doesn’t take away from my overall...
Read moreAttending my friend's wedding at the Astoria World Manor's Great Hall on August 25, 2023, was an experience that encapsulated both the enchantment of the venue and areas that could use enhancement. This review aims to provide a comprehensive insight into the various aspects I encountered during this joyous occasion.
Aesthetic Grandeur and Dedicated Staff: Stepping into the Great Hall was like entering a realm of opulence. The sparkling chandeliers, intricate decor, and expansive layout painted a picturesque scene for the celebration. The staff's unwavering dedication was palpable throughout the event. Their tireless work and respectful demeanor ensured that every facet of the evening was executed flawlessly. Their professionalism and attentiveness contributed significantly to the positive experience.
Parking Convenience and Accessibility: The availability of ample and complimentary parking was a boon for attendees. The hassle-free parking arrangements reflected a considerate gesture on the part of the venue, ensuring that guests could arrive without any undue stress. This seamless convenience was a commendable highlight of the experience.
Culinary Journey: As I embarked on the culinary journey that evening, I found myself oscillating between moments of delight and mild disappointment. While certain dishes elicited praises from fellow guests, there were instances where the fare fell short of expectations. Personally, I would rate the overall dining experience at a respectable 7/10. The menu's variety was appreciated, though execution inconsistencies occasionally left room for improvement.
Facility Concerns and Reflections: Regrettably, the issue of bathroom stall locks became apparent during the event. The malfunctioning locks led to unintended and somewhat embarrassing situations for attendees. This dampened the overall guest experience, as privacy and comfort in such settings are paramount. Additionally, the absence of a designated space for prayer (salat) was a sentiment shared by many attendees, including myself. Providing a serene and private area for religious practices would undoubtedly enhance the inclusivity of the venue.
Echoes from Fellow Guests: Engaging in conversations with fellow attendees, it was evident that the venue's charm and the dedicated staff had made a lasting impression. The opulent atmosphere lent itself to a memorable celebration, and the staff's commitment was highly regarded. Regarding the culinary offerings, opinions varied—some dishes garnered high praise, while others garnered more modest assessments. The topic of bathroom stall locks was a recurring discussion, emphasizing the need for improvement in this aspect. Moreover, the lack of a dedicated prayer space was a shared concern, demonstrating the importance of catering to diverse needs.
In Summation: Reflecting on my friend's wedding at Astoria World Manor's Great Hall, it was clear that the venue holds promise for unforgettable celebrations. The visual splendor and diligent staff were integral to the event's success. While certain facets, such as the culinary experience and the bathroom facilities, warrant attention, the foundation is undeniably strong. With a commitment to refining these areas, the venue has the potential to offer an even more exceptional and inclusive experience...
Read moreAstoria World Manor is a good banquet hall on a budget. I recently had my wedding there, and it went exactly as I expected. In a good way and a bad way. The best thing but Astoria World Manor is the price. The price is right, I know they say people spend 20000 on average for a wedding, but I live in the real world and I'd only spend that kind of money on a car or on a down payment. For 104 people, with ribbons, waiter service with buffet cocktail hour, the chapel, and no alcohol, it came out to about $7100 with tax and gratuity included. (The wedding itself was probably around $12000 in the end.) We shopped around and considering areas and convenience that was pretty darn good. Essentially, each person was $61 each after tax. So the price is right, really right. Other things I enjoyed about Astoria World Manor was the great amount of parking, the location near the Triboro, so it didn't matter if you were from Queens, Brooklyn, or upstate. A lot of reviews I read complained about the food but everyone unanimously enjoyed it. Lastly, they were not sticklers for extra wedding favors or feeding our DJ, emcee, and photographer. (A few people didn't show up but AWM didn't shake us down or anything.) Everyone also acted as professionally as possible, no one had an attitude.
Now since we had the good now we have the hear the bad. The bridal suites were very dirty and very hot. After asking the managers to boost the A/C and send someone there to clean it, nothing was done. The stereo in the room was also broken as our CDs frequently skipped as we were playing music. Another strike against the place was the fact that rehearsals are only available from Monday through Thursday, meaning a rehearsal is only possible if no one from your family or party is from out of town. Lastly, everything seemed to run kind of chaotically. The manager who 'sold' the wedding to us said they made gluten/casein free accommodations, however the chefs I spoke to seemed to have little knowledge on these food sensitivities/allergies. (Luckily, there were no issues.) Also, the gluten-free wedding cake we brought in wasn't brought out to me until twenty-five minutes before the wedding was over. The regular wedding cake was also deceptively small, I heard it tasted good but my wife wasn't impressed. Also, there was shellfish and allegedly ham (I didn't personally see that because I couldn't attend the cocktail hour due to being the groom) served even though we instructed those foods to not be served due to religious reasons. They weren't incompetent but they were not on point, not at all.
Overall, you get what you pay for. Since I'm not a wedding person, I was happy with the savings. Best of all, most of my guests said they had a great time, some of them saying it's the best wedding they ever went to. So what if they were some blemishes? My guests were really happy, so in the end I have no regrets about having my wedding at Astoria World Manor.
Quick review: "The Honda Civic of Weddings" 2/3 Pros: Price Parking Food Cons: Service/Accommodations Cleanliness Not...
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