Grand Concourse

In August 2023, we booked a private room (the Audubon room) at the Grand Concourse to host our July 2024 wedding rehearsal dinner for 34 guests. At first, everything seemed seamless. They provided menu options, children's menus, and clear pricing details for us. The banquet manager was very easy to reach via email. Ten days before our event, I provided the final head counts. I indicated that we would be having 27 adults and 7 children, provided the meal choice for the 27 adult entrees, and indicated that I could provide the 7 children's meal choices as well if needed. I did not receive an email response asking for the children's meal choices. When we arrived for our rehearsal dinner, the room was initially not ready and we waited for about 20 minutes before we were taken back. When we arrived at the room, there were not enough seats and guests had to stand while another table was set up. Then, the waitress indicated that they did not know we would be having 34 guests and that the kitchen did not have our meal counts. She spoke as if this was our fault, and that we provided the wrong number. I indicated that the total was to be 34 and that I communicated this with the banquet manager. It was a hassle to go around and collect the meal choices again to give to the waitress, even though I provided this information via email 10 days in advance. We had opted to do a consumption bar rather than the private bar in our room. However, the service was extremely slow and majority of our guests received their first course before their drinks even arrived. In addition, my husband and I were the last to be served our drinks and meals. When it was dessert time, the adults were given their desserts but the children's dessert was not brought out. I had to indicate to the waitress that the children needed their dessert as well (ice cream sundae). The children all watched the adults eat their dessert and did not receive their ice cream sundae until the adults were all almost finished. The waitress had also asked guests if they wanted coffees with dessert; however, the coffees were not brought out until after everyone had already finished their desserts. When my husband and I asked to speak with the banquet manager who I had been in contact with for 11 months, we were told he was not available. Two other managers did come and speak with us. We indicated how frustrated we were by the fact that we had signed a contract and been in communication with the banquet manager about this evening, and yet it felt as if no one at the restaurant was aware of any of it. It appeared that the children's meals was where the breakdown was. They had set up and planned for 27 adults, but not the 7 children, even though the email communications made it very clear that there were 27 adults AND 7 children for a total of 34 guests. However, I'm unsure of the breakdown in communication regarding me providing the meal counts ahead of time and the wait staff indicating that the kitchen did not have them. The managers did take off a small portion off our check to make up for the hassle/inconveniences we faced; however, our rehearsal dinner was stressful for my husband & I rather than being the relaxing start to our wedding weekend we thought it would be. Although the food was good and we have been to the Grand Concourse before and very much enjoyed it (why we chose it as a venue for our special evening), I don't believe we will be returning in the future.