vendor reviews: reception locations

The Kanellis family goes beyond all expectations to make sure every bride and groom leave Golf's with a story to tell

Interviewing Tom, George and Gus Kanellis, Owners of Golf's Steak House & Seafood

It seems like just about every couple or family in the community has a story to tell about Golf's - whether it be of their anniversary in the Dining Room alongside the Grand River, their corporate Christmas Party in the Golf's Royal Room or their Ballroom wedding reception. And now The Ring has a story to tell too...

At Golf's Steak House & Seafood, the Kanellis family goes far above and beyond any reasonable expectation of service, and almost always at no extra cost to you. From setting up your decor and opening doors for your guests to serving seconds on plated dinners and distributing after-dinner mints and toothpicks, you're treated like family. Your rolls will be served hot, your drinks refilled, your alcohol charged by the ounce (not the bottle), and you'll always have a Kanellis family member present to help you with anything else you need. With a location that backs onto the Grand River and a capacity of up to 300 guests, this restaurant and banquet centre offers the option of hosting your ceremony, riverside photo shoot, cocktail hour and/or reception, all in one great location.

All in the family...

It would be impossible to recount how many recommendations The Ring has received about Golf's Steak House & Seafood. This Kitchener venue is owned and operated entirely by the three brothers and father of the Kanellis family - Gus, George, Tom and Mike respectively. After speaking with Gus and George Kanellis, it's apparent that it's not necessarily the great view from the Dining Room or the capacity of their banquet rooms that has earned all the credit. It's really this family and the way they treat their customers, that has made Golf's what it is for the past thirty years.

As we went through our interview, George occasionally got up to greet dining clients by name and made sure they got the right table. Gus explained everything there was to know about the family business and what a Golf's wedding is really all about. Mike came into the hall to go do some business tasks, and Tom was the only one who had the day off on what the family refers to as 'their slow day' - a Monday that would seat many dining clients for their dinner service.

The Kanellis family all agree that everything they do for their clients will come back to them ten-fold. Up-selling just isn't in their blood. Gus, who has been working at the restaurant since he was thirteen explained, "Our father taught us well. He said if we're good to the restaurant, it'll be good to us... We love our jobs and we take our responsibility very seriously." In fact, on the odd day that a complaint does occur, Gus and George both agreed that neither can get any sleep that night. "You have to realize that this isn't just our job. Our entire family is wrapped up in this business. If one of us fail, we all do. So it matters to us if a client is happy - or unhappy."

Smooth runnings...

Tom, George and Gus know every detail that goes into running the company and serving their clients. Throughout the summer, each of them work just about every day. George grinned while commenting that, "Our wives are very understanding!"

Since they all grew up at Golf's, they've each done every chore and job there is to be done at the restaurant. If a dishwasher breaks, one brother will be on his hands and knees to fix it. If staff is otherwise occupied, another brother could just as easily be the one in white gloves greeting your guests at the door to your wedding reception. The first time we visited Golf's for an interview, Gus was 'in his whites' prepping salads in the kitchen just before and event. The second time we visited, he was in suit and tie - ready to manage. "We don't really have any job titles here. We all do whatever task comes our way, to make the restaurant and events run smoothly."

On the week that we visited, Golf's was hosting eleven events and has served 1600 meals on Father's Day. They told us that an average week in the Dining Room would mean serving about 3000 people. In any other case, you may think that such large numbers would imply poor service, but the entire Kanellis family works the business each day to make sure it doesn't. So in this case, volume means confidence and experience. They have a low staff turnover rate, and a kitchen crew that has been working together for almost four years. "That's almost unheard of in this industry," says Gus. "We pay and treat our employees well because we are well aware that there are a lot of other jobs available in the restaurant and service industry."

Golf's has served major corporations, government officials, celebrities, and probably half of your neighbourhood, at one point or another. A repeat customer to this restaurant means that they come once a week or every other week, not a couple of times per year... To say that Golf's has a good reputation around Kitchener-Waterloo, would be an understatement.

A wedding day at Golf's Steak House & Seafood...

Having a wedding event at Golf's Steak House & Seafood means that many of the things you'd normally have to ask or pay extra for, are assumed necessary and taken care of. The Kanellis family and staff will greet your guests at the door with white gloves, put out your centrepieces and help with decor, serve seconds of a plated dinner, call tables of guests to a buffet to keep your reception moving, provide table numbers, an easel and video screen, set up your gift, cake and head tables, cut and serve your cake, serve your tea and coffee and even distribute mints and tooth picks after dinner. If you go late, they won't shut you down, if you need a videographer the day before your wedding, they'll do their best to arrange one for you, and if you're looking to feel taken care of, you're in the right place.

Gus Kanellis explained their approach best by saying, "We're not a corporation. We don't believe in a big contract and tons of extra charges. If we can physically do it for you, we will. Unless we have to, there's no reason to upset a bride with extra charges for every little service that we provide... We want to give you what you want. This is your special day. We will take care of all of the details."

With a location that backs onto the Grand River, two banquet rooms to choose from, and a total capacity of up to 300 people, you can have your reception at Golf's or your entire wedding day and riverside photo shoot. Everything is an option and flexibility is the rule of thumb. "When the couples see that we are taking care of every little detail, clients automatically feel confident in knowing that the big details must be in good hands too." The Kanellis family would rather surprise their clients with special treatment that they'll always remember. And it's this approach that completely explains how Golf's has earned their stellar reputation.

Golf's Steakhouse & Seafood has also earned the title of an 'Eat Smart' restaurant. No small feat in itself, this means that Golf's has met the extensive requirements necessary to be considered an award-winning restaurant that promotes healthy living in your community by meeting exceptional standards in food safety, 100% non-smoking seating and healthier food choices. The Eat Smart program is a partnership between your local Public Health Unit, the Hearts & Stroke Foundation of Ontario and the Canadian Cancer Society (Ontario Division).

No package required

Golf's didn't actually have wedding packages to show us, per say. That said, there are lots of meal ideas on their banquet menu brochures that range from Roast Top Sirloin or Chicken Cordon Bleu entrees to Deep Fried Mushrooms or Shrimp Cocktail hors d'oeuvres. Menus and services are made-to-order for each individual company or couple that visit. At Golf's, you will most likely sit down with a Kanellis (or two) to talk about what you envision for the day of your wedding - from your own personal taste and preference for serving style to where you want your aisle runner and chairs set up. Menus are served up in plated, country style, or buffet style. Cocktail hours are always a popular option. The bar can be run any way you want: host, cash, toonie, tickets, or with your own alcohol brought in. They will provide the set-up, organization and bartender for the evening. The biggest difference with Golf's bar service is that they charge by the ounce... rather than by each bottle opened which can save you a ton of money. You can bring in your own wine, and Golf's will sere it for you at a lower corkage fee than many venues. The $8 corkage fee means that Golf's will provide the glass, chill the wine, serve, and collect the money for you. It only takes a sit-down meeting with Golf's to discuss and receive an accurate quote on your wedding.