Cleopatra Palace Banquet Facility & Catering Co.

Brides beware!!!

Read the "contract" very carefully before signing with this catering company. They tell you that they need a deposit upfront that is fully refundable to show that you're serious and not just coming by for the tasting, try the food, and waste their time. However, on the day of the tasting (where they prepare some samples of the food you ordered for your wedding menu) they require you to put down a large deposit (50% of estimated total bill) and sign a contract BEFORE you have the tasting, and this deposit is NOT refundable even if they tell you otherwise. I had a tasting with Mimi/Cleopatra Catering plus several other caterers on the same day. When I called back the very next day to tell Mimi I was going with another caterer she immediately grew unpleasant and said I was NOT getting my deposit back, contrary to what she told me in person, by phone, and by email. She said that what they mean by a "refundable deposit" is that you give them the deposit, taste the food, and at the end of the tasting, if you don't like the food, you have to tell them right away you're not using them, and ask for your deposit back immediately. After that you're stuck with them. You basically have to make your decision right then all in one sitting. Isn't the whole point of tastings is to try out the food from different caterers, and THEN decide who you want to go with? When they refused to give my deposit back, I went to my bank and put a cancel payment on my check. Mimi then called me, threatened to take me to court if I don't pay up. But what am I paying for? They have not provided me with any catering services. It wasn't as if I canceled on them at the last minute and they had to recup. their losses. This was 9 months before my wedding day! Overall, I had a very unpleasant experience with this company. Read the fine prints before you sign anything.