The Brownstone
“We had our annual end of summer BBQ at my place of employment and for the first time we hired the Brownstone for off-site catering.”
“Albert Manzo made us feel welcomed and was reassuring, explaining how we could have a spectacular wedding within our budget!”
“I attended the Brownstone House for my sister in laws bridal shower.”
The Brownstone
Takes Reservations: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$$$ Price range $31-60
8 reviews
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I've come here the last 3 years for a New Years Eve party we put together with about 140 people. Fancy decor, very clean environment including the bathrooms, the bar tenders have always been very nice. The food is top notch everything is absolutely delicious, this review would be pages if i listed all the food I've eaten here but its all great. Overall a very popular, well-establish venue in North Jersey and i would recommend it.
Save your money and don't bother booking an event at this place. Aside from the food which was half decent, there was much left to be desired.
Overall the common theme is that the place is dirty.
The dishware was filthy to the point that many of our glasses had lipstick on them and when we wiped them with our napkins the napkins came up black. I would have left if this wasn't for a family members event.
The room we were in was beautiful with the glass windows… if only the windows were cleaned enough to see out of them. The carpet was shabby too.
I think this place has a lot of potential if only they put some money back into it.
I've been to the Brownstone MANY times for MANY events. I've been affiliated with local fire departments and police departments for 13 years. Prior to tonight I would have given this establishment 5 stars, specifically because they take care of the departments so well. HOWEVER. We came here for a BEEFSTEAK for the local PBA and came to find out after many appetizers were brought out that the Brownstone RAN OUT OF BEEF before our entrees came out. They ran out of beef?! For a beefsteak that was booked months in advance?! So beyond unacceptable. A highly regarded establishment with the unfortunate location in Paterson. Don't waste your time. This type of mistake is completely inexcusable. I would NEVER book an event with this establishment. Horrible.
I want to preface this by saying I have been here literally 1,000 times for weddings, baby and bridal showers, every year for a beefsteak fundraiser and yes the place is iconic and famous… The area it's in truly doesn't bother me, I always feel safe coming in and out of here..
The food is good…. Not great, not the best but good…
Some rooms in here are better than others…. I like the conservatory!
I really don't wanna knock it BUT I can tell you that the last few times I've been here I've been pretty disappointed in the fact that they've basically "let the place go". It's pretty run down and dirty-looking now..
Carpet is worn away, stains on the chairs.. Just all around shabby looking… Which is a shame because I can't imagine this place is cheap to host an event,
And for it's notoriety and reputation, I expect better…
I feel guilty writing a 2 star review because my friend and his wife really enjoyed his wedding, but we were somewhat horrified by some of the things that went on during every part of the event.
The good:
The food was overall fairly good, although nothing to write home about. Filet mignon at dinner was humongous and properly cooked to order, which is not typical for a large group. They had lots of onions in the roasted potatoes too, which I loved.
The building is lovely on the outside, and the 'garden room' provided some great photo opportunities.
Some of the servers during cocktail hour were really lovely – I recall one engaged couple who worked there who were particularly charming and engaging with the guests.
The outside garden was pretty and probably gave the bride and groom some gorgeous shots.
The quite bad:
They had difficulty regulating the temperature in the garden room, so people were freezing for at least the first hour.
The dance floor was tiny.
Bathrooms were clean but were downstairs… not the best set up for a group of drinking people in heels.
Valet parking was a mess. We got there on time and had to wait in line about 20 minutes just to get to the valet stand due to the rush of people getting there for multiple weddings. When we pulled up, they asked whether we were coming or going, as they had so many weddings going on they couldn't keep track. A friend of mine actually had to go through the line twice, as she actually got on the "outgoing" line instead of the "incoming" line – easy to do since they weren't marked. There were people cutting in line too from side streets if they knew the area.
You're in the heart of lovely Paterson. Fine during the daylight when the 'hood is illuminated, but not so comfortable at night if you're not familiar with the area.
We came down the stairs from the ceremony and actually got lost. There was nobody to direct us and people going in all directions to different weddings – as well as multiple brides in the lobby. It took some time to find someone who knew where each wedding was taking place. I suppose that's the true definition of a wedding factory, but they could have been a lot more organized, even with the use of signs.
There was nowhere for the wedding party to leave bags other than an unsecure area where everyone walked through to get to the restrooms.
They closed the men's restroom during the reception for cleaning. Really. Because they couldn't do that before or after. Men had to go on a scavenger hunt to find a restroom.
Dinner was served at 10:45 after a huge gap between courses… just bad planning, way too late.
They served dessert outside in around 50 degree weather – I don't know of anyone who even went out there since it was too cold and so late.
The really really extraordinarily ugly:
The ceremony was in a room upstairs that resembled a small generic hotel conference room. SOMEONE STARTED VACUUMING TWICE RIGHT OUTSIDE THE THIN DOOR DURING THE EXCHANGE OF VOWS. Yes, they had to be instructed two times to stop. We could also hear children playing and people yelling and setting up and partying just outside the door throughout the whole ceremony. Some common sense people! It's their wedding!
From what I remember of my last experience, probably about 17 years ago, this place has gone way downhill.
Ahh the Brownstone, who doesn't love the Brownstone. I have attended numerous events here over the years and all I can say now is this place is in need of some renovations. The downstairs room I was in last week was jacked up! The carpet was pulled up in many spots causing people to trip and looked like it needed a good steam cleaning. There was a wad of gum stuck on the wall. How gross?? Chairs were wobbly. There was a couple pesty little nats flying around too. I get it they are booked for so many events that there probably is not time but they need to make time. One room at a time. I'm sure they will continue to do great business but c'mon people are starting to notice how shabby it has become!
On a plus side the food is still amazing and plentiful. I love the vodka sauce, calamari, house salad dressing, eggplant rollatini and rice balls here. But there is a toss up between what is my favorite food here…pignoli cookies or the short ribs. Both are off the charts amazing.
The service and waitstaff have always been on point too! Valet can get crazy when a big party lets out but I guess that's expected.
Bottom line is take a break from Bravo TV and focus on your place of business. Do some of those renovations that are desperately needed and I'm sure people will leave with such a better taste in their mouth.
Not bad for a wedding venue. I attended as a guest. The atrium was very nice, and works well for a ceremony. The Cocktail house had some pretty impressive food. The lobster rolls were amazing and the shrimp were humongous. I was also impressed with the staff during the cocktail hour. At a lot of venues, the servers come around infrequently, but we had servers coming around constantly with delicious food.
The dinner (buffet) was not as good as the cocktail hours' food, but I have come to expect that.
I received quick service at the bar, but the drinks were watered down… however that's sort of par for the course.
The room that the reception was in was a good size, not entirely my style, but the old world look that a lot of people like at these sort of venues.
Attended a Christening here. They ran out of food in several stations – pasta, seafood, steak, fruit. I got locked in the bathroom stall with a broken lock. Valet service is terrible.
Besides that, the venue is pretty and the food was either good or ok – if we got any before they ran out.