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OUR GUARANTY
OF QUALITY
We
take great pride at Beardslee Castle in presenting delicious food with
warm attentive service in an unsurpassed setting. All of our soups,
stocks, sauces, dressings and fruit, vegetable or pasta salads are made
fresh here in our kitchens. All of our produce is fresh. During summer
months we grow many of our vegetables, edible flowers and herbs
organically. We use only fresh fish and choice meats of the highest grades
available. Chef/Owner Randall Brown prepares dishes that are wonderful in
taste and presentation. The management and staff give their personal
attention to every detail of service.
Please call at anytime at 315 -
823 - 3000
Wedding Consultants/Service Managers: Jennifer Leskovar Lynn Brown
Questions you
should be asking when planning your reception...
I’m overwhelmed by the planning... how can you help us?
We can assist you in finding sources for almost anything you want for your reception or ceremony. Everything from Horse & Carriage to Butterflies in Boxes. We help with your seating, timing, and coordination of all the people you hire to make your day special. Personal consultations with our event professionals are not limited. If you are having your ceremony here you may make arrangements for a rehearsal prior to your event. We will help coordinate your rehearsal at no charge. Rehearsal dinners can be arranged as either full-menu dinners in the dining room (printed here and personalized) or as cocktail & hors d'oeuvres events in the dungeon our outside.
How many guests can you accommodate?
We can seat up to 190 guests comfortably in our beautiful banquet room. This usually allows for invitation lists up to 210 people. Our standards for comfort: not overcrowding tables and ample aisle space so no one has to push between tables.
Outdoor events are limited to buffets or station style receptions up to 250 people.
What types of menus do you offer?
Almost anything! Our regular offerings include sit-down diners, gourmet dinners, buffets, station-style buffets, family style buffets and gourmet brunches. Dessert Buffet or Venetian tables are also available, please ask. Buffet parties are a 50 guest minimum. Main banquet room parties 50 guest minimum. We have menus for Cocktail-Style party where guests mingle with passed hors d’oeuvres and serving stations. Cocktail seating is provided and the menu is personalized to fit your needs. It is very important that your invitations for this type of event specify “cocktails & hors d’oeuvres” rather than “dinner”. Please ask your wedding planner for more details and sample menus.
Can we try the food that is listed in the menu before our event?
Once you’ve reserved your date you might like to schedule a tasting to decide on your menu. Many dishes are traditional... roast beef, turkey, ham for example and probably don’t need to be tasted. Quite often it’s the hors d’oeuvres selection or various sauces, salad dressings or different types of stuffed chicken that couples like to try ahead of time. Tastings are treated as regular dinner reservations (during regular dinner hours in the dining room). You should decide what items you would like to try and order at least one week in advance. In some instances you may be able to try a few different sauces with one entree. A tasting dinner generally starts at $20-$25 per person depending on number and types of dishes tasted. There is no charge for a tasting dinner for two people making selections for the premium dinner or premium buffet packages.
Although tasting dinners are only scheduled for couples that have already booked, there are many regular dinner menu items that are the same or similar and having dinner at the Castle will give you a good indication of the style and tastes of our cuisine. Our regular dining room breads, spreads, soups, dinner salads, dressings, wine selections, potatoes, rice, sautéed vegetables, pastas and tomato basil sauces etc. are the same as what we prepare for weddings.
Can you change anything on your menu?
We change our dining room menu every day, so we're used to change. We specialize in customized weddings; nothing in these menus is etched in stone. If you have a different idea for anything or would like us to come up with additional options let us know. If you see a menu at another site bring it to us and we'll give you a quote for a comparable event.
How many staff members are there to serve my reception?
We have one staff member for every 12-15 guests and at least one wedding manager to oversee timing of your entire reception. A separate kitchen staff is personally supervised by Chef-Owner Randall Brown.
What do you provide at no cost?
Each table is set with two layers of white linens. (We have a wide variety of other colors available for only $3 per non-white color layer per table). Table numbers, 4 votive candles or 2 tapered candles per table, gift baskets if needed, fully skirted head table, cake table and gift table, a personalized menu at each table for sit-down dinners, and more. For the month of December we can include a Christmas tree and seasonal mantle decorations. Coordination of wedding rehearsals and ceremonies are no additional cost. Tasting dinners for 2 for premium dinner packages are complimentary.
Do you provide a room where we can get ready?
If your ceremony is held here we provide a beautiful room on the main floor that overlooks the side gardens where you may get ready one hour in advance of your start time at no charge. If you need more time, would like to leave some of your things in the room, or would like drinks or hors d’oeuvres in the room there are several upgrades available to our bridal suite option. For $75 you get the room for the entire night including bottled water and a complimentary bottle of champagne. For $175 you receive the room for the entire night, bottled water and coffee or iced tea, 2 bottles of Mumms Cuvee Napa Champagne or the equivalent, a platter of premium hors d’oeuvres of the chefs choice (serving 8) and complimentary secure storage of valuables during your event.
Can you recommend Florists, Photographers, DJ's or accommodations?
Once you have booked your event we can provide you with a listing of local sources for flowers, photographers, horse and carriage, DJ's, bands, accommodations, justice-of-the-peace, etc.
Is the banquet room handicapped accessible?
A wheelchair ramp is available from the back driveway. Guests may park and leave their cars. The Restrooms are all accessible.
Can I hold my ceremony here?
Many couples use the beautiful grounds and gardens of the Castle for their ceremony. Several locations and set-ups can be suggested. We are always prepared with back-up options inside if the weather turns. Outdoor ceremony set-ups are $1.75 per chair. Microphone and amplifier for announcements at $25. Stereo for ceremony music with cuing at $20. For ceremonies we provide all chair set-up and breakdown, rehearsal time and coordination at no additional charge.
This is a great setting, how can my guests enjoy the entire facility?
Your guests are free to stroll about the Castle grounds before, during and after the reception. Our Dungeon Bar & Grill is a regular spot for guests who want to keep the party going and we remain open as long as there are guests in the building up until 2 AM.
Do you accommodate children?
Some children are happiest with a dish like chicken fingers & fries ($8) or just plain pasta ($5). With buffets we charge half price for children 10 and under and with open bars the cost is $3.75 per child under 12 and $5 for 12-20. Children who leave the banquet room to go outside or to the dungeon bar must remain under the direct supervision of an adult.
Do I have to serve dinner to the DJ and photographer? Are there guidelines for the professionals I hire?
That's between you and your hired help but we suggest offering a gourmet sandwich at about a quarter the cost
of a full dinner. This also avoids the awkwardness of paid staff helping themselves to a buffet. We will provide you with a list of guidelines for your DJ or band to help them with loading in and setting up. The guidelines also help to ensure that the timing of your event is coordinated by our event professionals, who are working with you to plan your reception. Quite often (in other facilities) the DJ is left to set the timing or coordination of events. We want to be sure that the reception is held according to your wishes.
What are the smoking laws?
All restaurants in New York State are now non-smoking. Even private events such as wedding must be non-smoking events. Guests who would like to smoke may use the area outside the second floor exit (ramp) or outside the main floor side foyer doors. We provide ashtrays in these areas.
I've never done a seating chart... can you help us?
We provide you with a diagram of the dining room including the maximum size for all of the tables. We keep a copy of the same diagram so any questions can be answered accurately over the phone. You can either write out seating cards or provide us with a seating list and we take care of directing your guests to their tables.
What kind of decorations can we use?
Besides the blessing of beautiful architecture, a completely set banquet room has an elegant look on it's own. We generally leave additional decorating to your personal tastes. Buffet displays and stationary hors d'oeuvres tables are decorated with flowers & greens or other seasonal displays. Color from linens can add a great accent. Any items you place on the table (favors for example) will give the room a specific feel or overall color scheme once repeated at all the settings. We have a few restrictions on decorations... we ask that nothing be attached to the walls or ceilings (window frames and stair areas are permissible but please inquire first). We do not allow any confetti on the tables or 'thrown', no birdseed or rice to be 'thrown'. Any other items that result in an excessive 'mess' (including wedding cake) after the event may result in a cleaning charge. If you are at all unsure please ask in advance.
I need directions for my guests, can you provide them?
We have maps available for general directions from both the east and the
west. You can insert copies in your invitations. An even better option available on-line is the site www.weddingmapper.com
Where can I save money?
An off-season event can be a great savings by reducing room charge fees. January 1 - April 1 events receive a 10% overall discount (with the exception of the week of Valentines Day and Easter). Another place to control your budget is beverage service. It's difficult or impossible to reduce the food you are serving but the way the beverage service is structured can save you money, ask us how! The other savings comes from the many items we include at no cost... and our list of these things is constantly growing!
Do you cater off site?
We can cater a buffet or hors d'oeuvres reception at your location. A
catered event must be quoted after individual consultation but on average
runs about $3 per person more than our regular pricing and we include all
tableware, silverware, glassware, and cooking equipment. We can make
arrangements for tables, chairs and tents if you need them. A cold
platter style picnic reception can be offered at very low cost. We cannot provide alcoholic beverages off-site.
Do you hold showers or rehearsal dinners?
Bridal showers are a specialty at the Castle, everything from a light
lunch or brunch buffet to a champagne and hors d'oeuvres party. Rehearsal dinners can be held in our main dining rooms for an elegant setting or in
the Dungeon for a casual party atmosphere. Ask us about details.
Do you provide wedding cakes?
We offer wedding cakes, your choice of flavor, starting at $3 per person. Premium packages include a cake at no extra cost. If you have us make the cake you can try it first so it will be just what you want, it will be there on time, it will taste great as a dessert rather than just for show, and it will be large enough to serve all your guests with enough left to take home. Some designs or styles have an additional charge
What times can I hold my reception?
Day weddings should start no later than 12:00 and must conclude before 4:00. (if you have a ceremony here you should start as early as possible but no later than 11:30). Evening weddings may start no earlier than 5:30 (ceremony or reception) and don't have a set time limit. The restaurant may not stay open later than 2am but generally your event concludes whenever your DJ or band ends. Extended hours: Quite often, people request that their DJ play 5 hours when our bar packages are normally 4 hours. If your DJ plays more than 1 hour after your bar package ends there is a $50 per hour charge. Once the DJ or band stops, the bar will be closed, guests are welcome to move to the Dungeon bar if they wish to keep the party going and servers may begin resetting the dining room.
How long does dinner take?
A sit down dinner with four courses generally takes about 1 1/2 hours to serve, slightly longer than dinner would take when dining out. Buffet dinners are usually faster but larger groups can be slower with a buffet. Family style dinner takes about half the time of a sit-down dinner. The fastest option is a stations style reception where the entire 'buffet' is in place on arrival, essentially combining your cocktail hour and your dinner hour and allowing maximum time for dancing.
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