Astrid M.
Yelp
It is funny how life works sometimes the most unexpected place turns out to be the very best! After a grueling search for a restaurant/venue to hold my baby shower I was extremely excited when my sister pointed out Connolly's Corner, an Irish pub with a great event space. It was very close to my new apartment in Jackson Heights which is a crucial point to remember when picking a place for a shower due to the insane amount of presents which most expecting parents-to-be are blessed with. I left an online inquiry for management and was happy to receive a call back that same evening. Unfortunately, I missed the call but called the next day and spoke to Bridgette who is the event coordinator. When she told me all that the buffet package included - unlimited soda, coffee, and tea, four entrees, bread, salad, and potatoes or rice for 29.95 a person I was SOLD. I had reached out to other restaurant/venues in the area and none had even come close. Also, her very sweet and pleasant demeanor already made me believe that "my event would be awesome" and the food would be "incredible"! Bridgette also stated that a wishing well and baby shower chair would be included in the package.
I went to see the event space hoping it would fit my large extended family and I was very happy to see how perfect the space was and that it had the classy rustic feel I was looking for. Even trying to limit the amount of men by final count was 67 people. I was glad I was able to pay only for 60 in advance and then pay for the extra people after the event. I ended up overpaying 1200 dollars at my wedding and didnt want that nightmare to happen again. I also liked that the tax and tip were included in the total amount so that I wouldn't have to wrack my brain trying to figure it out on the day of. Bridgette allowed my sister in law who was my event planner to set up as early as 10:30AM for our event that did not start until 2PM. The way my sister in law made the room look people thought I spent tens of thousands of dollars on the space.
Bridgette was absolutely right that the food was AWESOME. Unfortunately, I arrived fashionably late due to some extreme hair, nails, and make up regime that took longer than expected... and I kind of ate in a mad rush to fully attend to my guests but what I did try was insanely delicious- I had the mixed greens salad, the pernil, which I was very happy to see was done just like my Latin family likes it crispy yet juicy which included a spicy cilantro aoili that complemented it PERFECTLY! I also had the penne a la vodka, roasted and seasoned potatoes and the chicken francese. Everything was truly yum I missed out on the eggplant rolatini I had also included in the menu that I heard was amazing. In any case the food is replenished so that people can keep eating for about an hour or so after it is served. Make sure to to tell your guests if they arrive later than this time they will miss out on the food... of course I have some people that arrived at the last hour that missed out.
Also, you can bring in your own desserts. My sister in law works for a restaurant (Penelope) that made cookies, cupcakes, and muffins that all went with themed story books. Also, we had a gender reveal cake made by Sweet Occasions bakery that was so good not a single bite was left.
The service was beyond my expectations! ALL guests went home happy which is one of the most difficult things to attain at any event. I cannot begin to thank Bridgette and the staff more for their attentive, caring, thoughtful, and phenomenal customer service that left a smile on everyone including this very tired very grateful did I mention tired... momma to be. I will definitely be back whether just for a regular bar bite or for another event... perhaps a very small intimate dinner/lunch for the baby's Christening... I will also make sure to refer so many others to Connolly's!