Giants' Owner Mara and GM Schoen Win Over John Harbaugh at Exclusive Diner
In a rare instance of the Giants' brass letting loose during an interview process, co-owner Chris Mara, general manager Joe Schoen, and confidantes joined forces to make a lasting impression on the soon-to-be new head coach. At Elia Mediterranean Restaurant in Manhattan, the team wined and dined John Harbaugh over a three-course meal that included pan-seared Alaskan halibut, ribeye steaks, and traditional Greek appetizers.
According to owner Tim Salouros, it was clear from Joe Schoen's arrival that this dinner meeting would seal the deal. "When Joe walked in, you knew the deal was going down," Salouros said, describing the moment that indicated Harbaugh had made up his mind. As for how Harbaugh reacted during the meal, Salouros recalled that he told Mara and Schoen, 'I loved it. I'll be back.' The evening featured a rare private viewing of Elia's extensive wine cellar and exclusive appetizers that catered to the team's tastes.
This dinner was not an isolated instance, as the Giants' tradition of hosting pre-draft meetings for the coaching staff dates back decades to the infamous 'dungeon at Park and Orchard' where Bill Parcells used to meet with prospects. The same location has since been refurbished under new ownership by Elia's Mediterranean menu. A familiar favorite among former Giants assistants and a popular spot for high-profile courtships, this exclusive dining experience aims to create an ambiance that sets the tone for future success.
Salouros expressed his relief at having sealed the deal without any complications, stating, "If you are not ready, we can go in the back and discuss it. Until you make the right decision, you can’t leave." Mara and Schoen were relieved, too, as they had a clear understanding of what worked for Harbaugh during this pivotal meeting.
Their strategy proved to be successful, with Mara saying that he has run his mom-and-pop restaurant "the same way" as the Giants, catering to their preferences but offering exclusive experiences. Elia's extensive wine cellar and menu cater to the Giants' tastes, drawing upon traditional Greek cuisine that includes appetizers like grilled octopus and Saganaki.
In a rare instance of the Giants' brass letting loose during an interview process, co-owner Chris Mara, general manager Joe Schoen, and confidantes joined forces to make a lasting impression on the soon-to-be new head coach. At Elia Mediterranean Restaurant in Manhattan, the team wined and dined John Harbaugh over a three-course meal that included pan-seared Alaskan halibut, ribeye steaks, and traditional Greek appetizers.
According to owner Tim Salouros, it was clear from Joe Schoen's arrival that this dinner meeting would seal the deal. "When Joe walked in, you knew the deal was going down," Salouros said, describing the moment that indicated Harbaugh had made up his mind. As for how Harbaugh reacted during the meal, Salouros recalled that he told Mara and Schoen, 'I loved it. I'll be back.' The evening featured a rare private viewing of Elia's extensive wine cellar and exclusive appetizers that catered to the team's tastes.
This dinner was not an isolated instance, as the Giants' tradition of hosting pre-draft meetings for the coaching staff dates back decades to the infamous 'dungeon at Park and Orchard' where Bill Parcells used to meet with prospects. The same location has since been refurbished under new ownership by Elia's Mediterranean menu. A familiar favorite among former Giants assistants and a popular spot for high-profile courtships, this exclusive dining experience aims to create an ambiance that sets the tone for future success.
Salouros expressed his relief at having sealed the deal without any complications, stating, "If you are not ready, we can go in the back and discuss it. Until you make the right decision, you can’t leave." Mara and Schoen were relieved, too, as they had a clear understanding of what worked for Harbaugh during this pivotal meeting.
Their strategy proved to be successful, with Mara saying that he has run his mom-and-pop restaurant "the same way" as the Giants, catering to their preferences but offering exclusive experiences. Elia's extensive wine cellar and menu cater to the Giants' tastes, drawing upon traditional Greek cuisine that includes appetizers like grilled octopus and Saganaki.
i mean, a private wine cellar tour? 
it's not just about the food or the winery, it's about creating an experience that makes u feel like part of the fam 
. and it looks like it paid off! 
harbaugh seems pretty won over now that he's said he'll be back 
. i'm curious to see how it all plays out, but i gotta give props to mara and schoen for pulling it off 
.
! It's not just about throwing a fancy dinner party, but making sure everyone feels welcome and at ease. The fact that Elia's Mediterranean Restaurant went the extra mile with a private wine cellar tour and customized appetizers really speaks to the team's commitment to creating an amazing environment for their new head coach. And can we talk about how refreshing it is to see teams embracing tradition, like hosting pre-draft meetings at the same location for decades? It shows they value continuity and consistency 
. Kudos to Mara, Schoen, and the Elia team for pulling off a successful win in more ways than one! 
I think what really stands out here is how effectively Mara and Schoen leveraged this unique setting to create a memorable experience for Harbaugh. By offering an exclusive, personalized dinner at Elia's, they were able to bypass the usual interview protocols and make a more lasting impression. It's almost as if they were saying, "We're not just interested in your qualifications; we want you to be part of our team." 
Their strategy also highlights the importance of understanding their target audience (in this case, Harbaugh) and tailoring their approach accordingly. Kudos to them for recognizing that sometimes, it's the little things that can make a big difference! 
. And what's with Schoen being so smooth at this dinner meeting, sounds like he's got some connections 
. Anyway, I'm guessing Harbaugh will just coast for a season and collect his paycheck, who knows if he'll even show up at training camp on time 
The idea of hosting an exclusive dinner at Elia Mediterranean Restaurant is actually kinda cool - I mean, who doesn't love a good wine cellar tour? 
But what's interesting is that it sounds like they really tailored the experience to his tastes, which suggests they did their research. It's also no surprise that Joe Schoen's arrival was seen as a sign of things to come - he's been making waves in the football world lately! 
The fact that Mara and Schoen were able to read the room (or in this case, Harbaugh) and know exactly what to offer is definitely a plus. And hey, if it works out, who cares where they have their little pre-draft dinners? 
super win for them 
! They really know how to woo a coach 
. It's clear they put thought into making an impression 
who won Harbaugh over 
? 
this whole thing just feels 
.
. And let's be real, a 3-course meal with exclusive wine cellar viewing isn't something you pass up easily 
.
i was thinking about how they must've pulled off that private dinner meeting for john harbaugh and the giants' brass at elia it makes total sense that joe schoen would make a good impression i mean who wouldn't wanna try the grilled octopus app lol anyway i'm glad they were able to seal the deal without any drama the ambiance of elia sounds soooo good i need to go back ASAP
. it's interesting how teams have come up with these unique traditions over the years, like that infamous "dungeon" where bill parcells used to meet with prospects 
. i mean, who needs all that fancy stuff when you can just wing it at a private dinner? lol, but seriously, it's nice to see joe schoen showing his people skills (or lack thereof 
). and i love how mara is running his restaurant like the team does - catering to their tastes, but with an exclusive twist. maybe they should open up a few more 'dungeons' around the city 
and let's be real, who wouldn't want to dine in a private wine cellar with an exclusive menu? 
i'm low-key jealous they got to experience that - it sounds like an epic team-building night out! 
. And let's be real, it's not like they had to work too hard to seal the deal... I mean, "we can go in the back and discuss it" sounds like a pretty clear warning 
. Guess you could say their strategy was a recipe for success 
. Like, who needs actual football knowledge when you can just butter him up over some good food? 
. I mean, who needs a salary cap when you can just out-spend them on good food? 
️
? I mean, didn't they already have him in the running for the job? shouldn't they've done more vetting on him beforehand? and what's up with the fact that Mara just lets Schoen run his "mom-and-pop restaurant" like it's a giant's playbook 
They were literally serving these gourmet donuts with crazy toppings like strawberry balsamic glaze and crispy bacon. And the line was so long, people were camping out overnight to get their fix! It's crazy how something as simple as a food item can bring people together. Anyway, back to this John Harbaugh thing... I wonder if he'll be able to lead the Giants to victory next season