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Smoke Rise and Bretton Woods

kmschess73kmschess73
10 Comments
in New Jersey

Hi-Does anyone have any opinions on Smoke Rise in Kinnelon or Bretton Woods in Morris Plains? Especially regarding food. Thanks!

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Re: Smoke Rise and Bretton Woods

  • Deener713Deener713 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I went to a wedding at the Bretton Woods and loved the food. When we were looking for a venue Bretton Woods was actually our second choice but we went with Meadow Wood Manor.


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  • AllieCat16AllieCat16
    Eighth Anniversary 100 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I really liked Bretton Woods as a venue, loved the homey feel of it but I thought the food was so so. My meal was overcooked and cold and I thought the cocktail hour was lacking. But that could have been just the package that couple chose. This was about 3.5 years ago too so things may have changed since then. But like I said, I really liked the venue, the porches outside are great!
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  • katetwkatetw member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We're having our reception at Bretton Woods Memorial Day weekend. We loved the setting -- we went to a wedding there 3 years ago and that's how we knew about it. They've gotten all new chefs over the past year, and when we had our tasting last weekend, the food was phenomenal. They're also up for trying new things all the time, and told us to have fun with our cocktail hour menu. I really appreciated that. My only negative is that they can sometimes be hard to get on the phone, but that's a really tiny negative against a ton of positives.
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  • maddie7maddie7 member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I hated Bretton Woods Mansion! The ad makes you think the deck is so big, and its not! The worst is the "funeral-parlor" feel as soon as you walk in. The main room reminds me of a pancake house with wallpaper on the walls, there is not a nice chandelier or anything like that.  The tables are stuck on the sides of the room like picnic tables at a buffet hall.  On top of that the man that runs the place was so rude, I would never want to work with him.  The food was limited and I was shocked that the choices said "starch" like pick a potato or rice.  Very-outdated. The only plus I could say was the price, it was only $85pp! 
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  • gymchick05gymchick05
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We looked there as well and I thought the grounds were very nice. The inside I also found homey and not funeral like at all- when we were there they had just taken down and changes wallpaper, paint, etc so maybe that was the difference. I didnt like how the cocktail hour was spread out in different rooms though and my only concern was we talked to two people there any both didnt say specifically what was included in the price. We didnt want to go w/ them and find out it was gonna cost way more when we needed to add other things in, etc. I was also concerned about the food since I knew no one who had been there and they didnt offer a tasting for a few months,so we went elsewhere, but I thought overall it was very nice
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  • KimmyJay2012KimmyJay2012
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Smoke rise inn is in the middle of a gated community. It is definitely not your typical "wedding venue" depends if that is what you are looking for or not. We visited Bretton Woods and liked everything except the outside space. The pictures don't let on to the fact that the beautiful deck is right next to the parking lot. The ballroom was also a bit dated. We ended up choosing Meadow Wood Manor as well as Deener. So far I am really happy with them. If you haven't already, check out the Lake Valhalla Club. It was on our list and I loved it..dates just didn't work out. Hope that helps!
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  • kmschess73kmschess73
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I can't thank you all enough for your thoughts on Bretton Woods.
    There are so many different opinions though! It did feel homey and nice..maybe the wallpaper has changed. I can't remember it now....but I thought that the varied rooms for cocktails was nice. I also agree that the ballroom was nothing special and a bit small. I thought the grounds were very pretty, if not spacious. I am glad to hear that Katetw and Deener loved the food. Hoping it is new chefs that make the difference!

    We did look at Smoke Rise the other day too. I liked it because it was not a typical venue. If anyone else is thinking about it....you do enter a gate, then go down a long road, but the community is very normal...all different houses. Not exclusive-like at all.

    Thank you!!
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  • scarlett0904scarlett0904 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In response to: "I hated Bretton Woods Mansion! The ad makes you think the deck is so big, and its not! The worst is the "funeral-parlor" feel as soon as you walk in. The main room reminds me of a pancake house with wallpaper on the walls, there is not a nice chandelier or anything like that.  The tables are stuck on the sides of the room like picnic tables at a buffet hall.  On top of that the man that runs the place was so rude, I would never want to work with him.  The food was limited and I was shocked that the choices said "starch" like pick a potato or rice.  Very-outdated. The only plus I could say was the price, it was only $85pp! "

    I couldnt agree more!  I felt the rooms were small and it was sectioned of weird and required to much distraction from the flow of our guests.  I felt the whole place was stale and musty and out-dated.  FH and I are getting married at the Meadow Wood Manor next April!
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