420737 Fri Jul 13 08:01:04 -0700 2007 41 20 Tristate Region 0 2746226 Hello everyone, I am getting married in September and am looking for a hall in Northern New Jersey and welcome any recommendations. We expect 100 - 120 people, it will be on a Saturday and we want to have the ceremony at the hall. Food will be traditional American - Italian, prime rib, etc. I know the quality of the food and service varies widely from banquet hall to banquet hall, so I appreciate any and all comments. Thanks, Rich Fri Jul 13 08:01:04 -0700 2007 111552 fletcr 1 2746521 Hi, I got married at Westmount Country Club in Great Notch (right next to Wayne) 3 years ago. To this day, everyone tells me that it is the best food they have ever had at a wedding. The facility is gorgeous as well. It's very pricey, though. I think it cost $240.00 per person and we had 250 people, so might be more expensive per person for your count. Fri Jul 13 09:18:27 -0700 2007 2746226 47380 lucienne78 2 3328589 The Food is Good but the Service is Rude and Uncalled for - they treat you like second rate, and also Treat the vendors even worse. This is only since they renovated the place - before that they were amazing. It really is ashame, because the location and food does amaze - but since weddings are an customer service industry - that is just bad all around. Thu Jan 24 12:04:18 -0800 2008 2746521 160236 npappy 3 3768506 npappy - I agree with completely. I hosted a charity event there and looked at the hall with my friend for her wedding and both time the staff was rude and unproffessional. Some of my vendors at the charity event complained about the way their treated as well. I refused to even look there for my wedding. Tue Jun 10 18:00:37 -0700 2008 3328589 197031 NJfoodLover 1 2746623 We were married at the Rockleigh, which is about as northern NJ as you can get, just over the NY state line. It was divine. Everything is top notch, I would highly recommend it. This was, however, several years ago already so perhaps someone can give you an update. If you're getting married in September, and on a Saturday, I fear you will find that finding any place to accommodate you will be your biggest challenge. Most good places will be booked solid already. Fri Jul 13 09:48:53 -0700 2007 2746226 93739 theatmosphere 2 2746672 My cousin's wedding was at Rockleigh Country Club (in 2002), and I couldn't agree more! Terrific food, beautiful atmosphere. I'm sure Rockleigh has kept everything going since then. Fri Jul 13 10:04:34 -0700 2007 2746623 59004 Sra. Swanky 3 2759364 Another vote for Rockleigh. I was married there in 2000 and to this day my co-workers and friends exclaim that it was the best wedding food they have ever had bar none. Tue Jul 17 18:36:02 -0700 2007 2746672 31617 bgut1 1 2746824 I've heard very good things about the Valley Regency. http://www.valleyregency.com/ Fri Jul 13 10:39:34 -0700 2007 2746226 72963 njeggy1 1 2752284 We went to a very, very nice wedding with particularly good food and a beautiful setting this afternoon at Westmount Country Club http://www.westmountcc.com/ My own wedding in 1995 was at Brooklake country club in florham park, which is still an excellent venue. The Madison Hotel also has a very nice catering operation and a gorgeous glass arboreum. Sun Jul 15 17:46:33 -0700 2007 2746226 10548 OffTheBroiler 2 3328601 Madison Hotel is very nice, West mount is a thumbs down on Service as well as the Brownstone House - in The Ghetto, and my lights were stolen from my car while parked there and the staff threatened to beat us down if we reported it. Plus they over book and and have guests in your room during your event..bad. Thu Jan 24 12:06:20 -0800 2008 2752284 160236 npappy 1 2759372 I second the Madison Hotel in Convent Station. Excellent food and a beautiful setting. Tue Jul 17 18:38:45 -0700 2007 2746226 14610 bropaul 1 2759840 Crystal Plaza and Rockleigh Country Club. Tue Jul 17 22:26:11 -0700 2007 2746226 61742 ELA 1 2767895 Hands down Perona Farms! I got married in 1991 and people are STILL talking about how awesome this place was for our reception!! http://www.peronafarms.com/ Fri Jul 20 09:47:49 -0700 2007 2746226 112858 BiggieB 1 2769003 Crystal Plaza in Livingston is awesome. Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange (although they are somewhat expensive). The Brownstone in Paterson is great even though Paterson is not the best area. They have really good food. I also recommend the Brooklake Country Club in Florham Park. Its a really nice place with a great value. Fri Jul 20 14:56:43 -0700 2007 2746226 50537 NiKoLe1625 2 3328611 Brownstone - Good food - Cheap - But Horrible Service and Area- Service should be number 1 for everyone - then food.. They actually ruin many events per year, and don't care about us as a client Thu Jan 24 12:07:59 -0800 2008 2769003 160236 npappy 1 2772172 Definitely call The Chanticler in Short Hills. We were married there and couldn't have been happier. Food and service were very important to us, and both were excellent there. We are itching to go to a wedding there as guests so we can relax and enjoy more of the food! http://www.thechanticler.com/ Sun Jul 22 07:35:31 -0700 2007 2746226 43680 mc0218 1 2773285 Having made the tour of catering halls in NJ a few times recently, I can say that it depends a lot on price and date availability if you mean this September. Rockleigh is supposed to be wonderful, though it's expensive. For a less pricey option (but tons of food) you might check out Seasons in Washington Township -- the food seems like too much for the price if you compare it to a place like Rockleigh, but someone I know recently attended a wedding there and said the food was good. Westmont recently changed its format -- they used to offer packages/prices similar to Rockleigh, but when I went to check it out with a friend recently they had made the standard menu less fancy and then offered a lot of "upgrades." They had food available to sample when I went, but they might not do that now because they likely have weddings every afternoon/evening. Other options on the high-priced end would be Tappan Hill in Tarrytown (Westchester) or Florentine Gardens. Sun Jul 22 17:35:38 -0700 2007 2746226 23719 JMJD 2 3328629 See the Westmount has changed a lot - they only care about selling you upgrades and Service is way down....They actually told us as a client no they wouldn't shut their DJ Lights off during our event - so we had strobing lights during the entire event and slow dances - it ruined the atmosphere - they have no idea how to run an event there.....Also be ware they tried to cancel my friend who was throwing a prom there because they could book a more expensive wedding - which in turn they could sell alcohol at!!! She called shame on you and told them - they suddenly changed their minds and honored her contract. Thu Jan 24 12:11:39 -0800 2008 2773285 160236 npappy 1 2822974 Rockleigh is not all it's cracked up to be. Sure it looks nice, but it doesn't offer what they charge. They make it look all high end, but that's not the service it provides. I went to check it out during the winter and they showed me the place during someone's wedding...so, I was walking around in my oversized puffy down coat while the Jewish guests were praying. I don't know about you, but I'd be pretty pissed off if strangers were walking through my wedding, not to mention totally dressed down. In addition, somebody had dropped a pile of food on the floor and instead of the workers cleaning it up immediately a chair was placed on top of it for a while. The mess was still there when I left my appt. You'll get the WOW effect upon arriving at Rockleigh, but for a beautiful place with top notch service I recommend Florentine Gardens. I had my wedding there and was blown away by the excellent quality of service. Not to mention that the whole place is yours during the wedding (your guests will not be colliding with guests from a different wedding party). You'll def get what you pay for and more. Rockleigh is way overrated and not for someone with a discerning eye. Tue Aug 07 15:01:09 -0700 2007 2746226 117498 chowinsight 2 3022046 I know this is after the fact of the OP's proposed wedding date, but I just saw this post and could not not respond sooner. I am happy that chowinsight had a great experience where he/she got married. That said, my niece's bat mitzvah reception was at the Rockleigh Country Club in 2004. The food tasted great and was far more creative and beautifully presented than in most catering places and high-end temple banquet halls that I have been in in either New Jersey, Manhattan, Long Island or Westchester. I found no fault with the service, nor did any of my relatives. Though the location's website indicates that there are two banquet halls, it also says that there are two separate entrances and I can tell you that when we entered the facility, I saw no signs of a second party being run at the same time, so if there was one, they hid it well. There were no "collisions" with guests from another party. This is NOT a factory. As for chowinsight's experience, all I can say is that perhaps things have changed recently or there was a problem on the day he/she visited the place. As for food on the floor being covered with a chair, that's a safety precaution. And if it happened while the food was being brought to the tables, I would rather see a chair over some spilled food for a little while than have guests waiting for their food while a mop and pail were being dragged out into the middle of the room. As for looking at a place, I would probably insist that I be able to see the place while a party was going on, as I guess chowinsight did, but I can't imagine what chowinsight was doing strolling through a religious service rather than just peeing in the door for a moment. Lest someone think that I am defending this place because the venue was selected by a relative, that's not the case. The place was selected by an ex-sister-in-law who I have very little use for, but despite my personal opinion of her, has excellent taste and knows how to make a beautiful, tasty party. Wed Oct 10 11:30:59 -0700 2007 2822974 117292 Shayna Madel 1 3022078 My sister got married in June at Liberty House at Liberty State Park. The ceremony and reception were outside while dinner was inside. The views of Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty are unbeatable. The staff was wonderful, knowledgable and so attentive and the food was out of this world. It lived up to what we had at the tasting. www.libertyhouserestaurant.com Wed Oct 10 11:36:36 -0700 2007 2746226 120639 FoodieForAll 2 3220077 Oshingurl - do you have an idea what she paid per head? Tue Dec 18 16:09:20 -0800 2007 3022078 150958 pdgirl 1 3220377 IMHO the food and setting at the Pleasantdale Chateau cannot be beat. Tue Dec 18 18:09:12 -0800 2007 2746226 146246 sruperto 1 3225121 My husband and I had our reception 5 years ago at Bretton Woods in Morris Plains.The food was very good, the price was exceedingly fair, the service was excellent.For me, the real plus was the fact that they only host one party at a time. I simply didn't want to run into another bride in the hallway. Also, there are beautiful wooded gardens that can be used for a ceremony or for photos.In the fall it would be lovely! The manager, Joe Gatti, was the picture of competence and made us both feel that we were cosseted and cared for without being patronized. I cannot reccomend this gem of a mansion highly enough! Thu Dec 20 08:39:20 -0800 2007 2746226 151199 Jtaibi 2 3328642 A very nice Venue i have been there several times and it is Great! Thu Jan 24 12:16:06 -0800 2008 3225121 160236 npappy 1 3225129 Check out the Clinton Inn in Tenafly. I've been to a few weddings there. It's really pretty and you can rent rooms and stay overnight in the Honeymoon Suite. There's a park across the street for pictures. Thu Dec 20 08:41:52 -0800 2007 2746226 116638 southernitalian 1 3229958 I got married in 2005 and we used the Venetian in Garfield. It was really amazing. Matter of fact, it was over the top as far as the food was concerned. Everyone loved it. There have been some suggestions for Seasons in Washington Twp on this post--and there are a few owners in common between the Venetian and Seasons. I've been to a Seasons wedding, and I have to say, it was good--but the food at the Venetian was much better. Fri Dec 21 20:28:01 -0800 2007 2746226 29253 kimie 2 3328654 I agree i have been to both Seasons and I had my wedding at the Venetian and they really put the Customer Service in overdrive, plus the food is unbeatable! Some Guests arrived late so they extended cocktail hour and the Venetian hour Desserts were to die for! A+++++ Thu Jan 24 12:18:02 -0800 2008 3229958 160236 npappy 2 3340610 i'm getting married june 2009 we went to look at the venetian yesterday the price was a little bit high but the place is to die for!!! i love it and i want to book it i have a big italian family that cares alot about the food so the food and quality is key i cant go wrong i dont know anyone who had a party there so i was hoping on feed back what did everyone think Mon Jan 28 09:33:52 -0800 2008 3229958 161334 simona83 3 3347930 In my early years, I managed Country Clubs and was in the catering business. I was at both Tamcrest and Tammy Brook Country Clubs, both in Bergen County and considered "The Place" to have a party. When I left Tamcrest, we were fully booked on weekends four years in advance for prime seasons of wedding and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. In later years, Rockleigh adopted the same formats......due to the GM brought in who was employed or had partial ownership at both places prior mentioned...... From a professional position and as a guest at four parties over the years, I suggest you consider Florentine Gardens in River Vale which recently had a new renovation and was enlarged......for a more intimate smaller party, you may want to consider Madeline's Petit Paris in Norwood. Wed Jan 30 08:37:35 -0800 2008 3340610 123497 fourunder 1 3328663 Top Halls in my Opinion in North Jersey Venetian, Macalusos, Valley Regency both in Food and Service! Thu Jan 24 12:19:28 -0800 2008 2746226 160236 npappy 2 3332949 I attended a wedding at the Florentine Gardens and it was beautiful, great service, and wonderful (& bountiful) food. I'm not sure about the price per person, but I was definitely one happy, satisfied wedding guest, if that counts for anything! Fri Jan 25 13:34:11 -0800 2008 3328663 123711 GreekGddss 1 3346697 Hi,got to add Naninas In The Park to the top list.My niece got married there in July,it was unbelievible !Very exclusive,great setting,food and service outstanding. Tue Jan 29 19:30:57 -0800 2008 2746226 161839 topme 2 3349860 The Rockleigh is certainly top notch. It is elegant and a picture perfect spot for a wedding. I've been to one wedding there several years ago and the food and the facilities were fantastic. The downside is that there are two events that can happen on the same night. While they do an excellent job of keeping both parties separate there can be some overlap if you are using the outside patios and gardens. If you are willing to travel about 7-10 minutes further north to Pearl River, in NY, definitely try the Hilton Pearl River. I had my wedding there this past August and it was spectacular. The Hilton's facilities were beautiful, the food was outrageous. Almost six months later everyone is still talking about what an incredible job they did. If you go, ask for Paulette. She's top notch! www.hermanweb.us Wed Jan 30 15:41:39 -0800 2008 3346697 137778 skepner169 1 3767469 I'd like to add, I went to a wedding at Seasons up in north jersey this past weekend. I am a guy. I HATE weddings, I HATE wedding food, I HATE the concept of a wedding period. But the cocktail hour at Seasons, was by far..........the best. Period. Everything from a vodka caviar station to a "cheeseburger" slider station...I worked (ate) my way around and everything wasn't just "good" but it was better than just "eh, its good.....for wedding food" the main course when we got inside the actual wedding was Good....for wedding food...but I have to hand it to them, they did cook my meat to medium rare,, which I NEVER get done right even when I dine out at a restaurant they always overcook it. Tue Jun 10 12:53:28 -0700 2008 2746226 155369 RPMcMurphy 1 3768542 I am surprised no one has mentioned The Graycliff in Moonachie. I have been to a number of events there. It was not just weddings and everytime was out of this world. I would rank them up there with the Venetian and Seasons as for as food but it is a less pricey option. I love the Venetian's look. It is soo beautiful but it can be very expensive. If you have the budget it is worth looking at otherwise the Graycliff can't be beat. As for Rockleigh CC I have been to 4 weddings and 2 other events and every other time is amazing unfortunately the other times It was the opposite. A few co workers have said the same thing. I mentioned above how horrible the Westmont CC is to work with, even though the end result is beautiful it is not worth giving them your money. Tue Jun 10 18:11:34 -0700 2008 2746226 197031 NJfoodLover 2 3783962 I've recently went to an affair at the Graycliff and agree. Any thoughts on Frank Pombo's Bethwood? Mon Jun 16 07:46:59 -0700 2008 3768542 201219 FriedBanana 3 3786914 The Bethwood is ok for special events but not the greatest for weddings. They have so many events going on at the same time that you are running into people going from Cocktail hour to your reception. I have been to showers, birthday parties, anniversary parties and things like that which were nice. For a wedding you can find better in that price range. They have a GREAT Sunday brunch though. Tue Jun 17 06:21:31 -0700 2008 3783962 197031 NJfoodLover 1 3788160 We had our wedding at Tavistock Country Club in the Haddonfield area and it was gorgeous, and the food was to die for. I would highly recommend them! -mJ Tue Jun 17 12:12:25 -0700 2008 2746226 192452 njfoodies 1 3832037 The Richfield Regency in Verona is OUTSTANDING..I had my wedding there 5 years ago and people till this day talk about the food and service at my wedding.. Also they packed up the left over cocktail hour food and gave us 2 huge shopping bags filled with food! Also our guest had an option to have seconds for the main course if they desired to.. Raul hopefully is still there.. is the BEST .. and takes care of you big time.. If you decide to book there.. You won't regret it! Tue Jul 01 22:24:12 -0700 2008 2746226 205756 jeannette831 1 4931921 I got married at the Atrium Country Club in July. They had just renovated the place and the cocktail hour was great. We had the seafood bar with martini stations and ice carvings with lamb chops and snow crab legs. and the Viennese table was in their garden patio with hand rolled cigar bar. the price was in the range of $120 per person. Best of luck to you. Sun Aug 09 19:53:51 -0700 2009 2746226 1100473 gumzatov 1 4932543 Since this post has been bumped and it has been over a year since my last comments I will add the most recent experiences. I have attened 3 weddings, 2 baptisms and a large anniversary party in the past year - 2 were in NY. If I add this years and previous experiences together, my top votes for Catering Halls in North Jersey are: The Venetian Seasons Graycliff The Venetian is absolutely amazing - Beautifully done with fabulous food and Service. The new Grand Ballroom is out of this world. Seasons is very pretty in a more classic less mind blowing way. The food and service are also very good. The Graycliff keeps impressing me with Food and Service and the Interior is beautiful. They are my vote for the the best place for your money since they are less than Seasons and MUCH less then the Venetian. If money isn't an issue than the Venetian is the way to go. Mon Aug 10 06:47:14 -0700 2009 2746226 197031 NJfoodLover