WEDDING WOES JANUARY 10, 2013 • THE QUEENS COURIER 9FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com Couple left in the lurch by embattled Bayside banquet hall BY MELISSA CHAN [email protected] A bride-to-be almost had her big day botched when an embattled Bayside banquet hall began shirking her calls two months before her nuptials, The Courier has learned. Kathryn Martino-Miranda and her fi ancé Erik Lopez had booked their March 3 wedding ceremony and recep- tion at Patrizia’s of Bayside in November 2012, signing a $5,000 contract for a party of 55 people. But when the Merrick, Long Island EXCLUSIVE couple called back one month later, they said manage- ment would not return calls, emails bounced and voice- mails could not be left. “There was no way to get in touch with them. I felt like the rug was pulled out under me,” said Martino-Miranda, THE COURIER/Photo by Melissa Chan & Courtesy of Kathryn Martino-Miranda 36. “It’s cowardly not to call people back. It’s such a Kathryn Martino-Miranda and her fi ancé Erik Lopez (right) special day for the whole family, not just the bride and said a Bayside banquet hall dropped the ball on their wedding. groom. It took us by so much surprise.” Patrizia’s halted lunch and dinner service at its 201- Martino-Miranda said she still has not heard back from a 10 Cross Island Parkway site in December 2012, The single manager or owner. Courier reported, after being open less than a year. “It’s sort of heartless. You have two families who are Offi cials at the family-style Italian eatery said they were really excited to celebrate a day like this. It creates an only offering catering events. incredible amount of stress,” Martino-Miranda said. The restaurant honored three full parties on January “You have a fi nancial budget. You have things planned. 7, according to a source close to Patrizia’s operators, but It really threw everything for a loop. How do you do this could not confi rm they would uphold their March com- to people?” mitment to the lovebirds. The pair, who have since found a new site for their “That’s a business decision my partners and I are going reception, said they had to shell out another $500 for to have to make,” said Paul Kolaj, business advisor and new and expedited invitations. They do not expect to be brother to Giorgio Kolaj, who is one of Patrizia’s operators. reimbursed their $200 deposit. “We are doing our best to honor every party. We really are.” “I didn’t feel comfortable trusting them with such a big Kolaj said Patrizia’s business owners would refund day like that,” the future bride said. “I hope no one deposits if they could not fulfi ll their promises, but does this to their daughter.” #1 in Transportation Residents! GLEN BELLE of baysideCAR SERVICE Call to Inquire about our winter savings “Will Beat any Competitor’s Rate by 10%” SENIOR DISCOUNTS Newest Fleet. Town Cars, Sedans, Mini-Vans, 14 Passenger Vans, & Ambulettes 718.347.3222 Family Owned & Operated! $5 OFF ANY $2 OFF AIRPORT RIDE ANY RIDE Base tip on full fare. CASH ONLY Base tip on full fare. CASH ONLY Offers ends 1/31/13 Offer ends 1/31/13 NAME______________________________________ NAME______________________________________ 718-347-3222 • NEQC/GB 718-347-3222 • NEQC/GB 24 Hour Service TLC-Base- #B-01250 7 Days
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