Smith's Restaurant
(212) 260-0100
79 MacDougal St
New York,
NY
10012
40.7295
-74.0015
Neighborhoods: Downtown, Greenwich Village
What People Are Saying About Smith's Restaurant
The Editor
Erin Behan
Citysearch
The narrow dining room, done in black and white with a mirrored ceiling, recreates the elegant feel of a classic train car. That refinement continues to the cramped but charming bar and a slightly more roomy side dining room. Wait staff rush at a dizzying pace, but the amped kitchen can handle the crowds. Chef Pablo Romero (Bouley) whips up a New American comfort classics menu, but with welcome tweaks. The cooked-to-perfection appetizer of charred baby squid gets juice from tiny chunks of lemon confit, olives and pancetta. Surf-lovers should look no further than the buttery grilled lobster, which renders its squash puree trivial. Less successful is the overly shallot-laced vinagrette on the grilled dorade. Desserts, unfortunatey, like the bread pudding, pale.
Hits: This is a neighborhood restaurant that would be welcome in any hood--its prices are more than reasonable for the quality and its food inspires return visits.
Misses: There's precious little room to wait for a table, and tightly spaced reservations guarantee you'll endure some unwelcome elbow-rubbing in the tiny vestibule or rear bar.
User Reviews
LBFoodie1
January 14, 2009
My wife and I had the pleasure of dining at this restaurant based on the recommendation of the front desk at The Mercer Hotel when we were visiting New York over the holidays. We were a little skeptical at first, having not ever heard of Smith?s but prior recommendations from them (including Babbo and Balthazar) gave us comfort. WOW is all we can say. The decor was nice, Kevin the manager great, and WOW, the food was outstanding. They have a new Chef ? Justin Smillie who used to work at Barbutto, and can he cook?WOW. What a wonderful dining experience ranging from the pace of service to the wonderful flavors Chef Smillie creates. His grilled quail with quince was one of the best dishes we?ve ever had, that is until we tried the seared diver scallops which are the best I have ever tasted. Sides including roasted beets and crispy potatoes all tasted as if they had been touched by magic. A truly wonderful dining experience. Ask to speak with Chef Smillie, he is a charming young professional with a great cooking future ahead of him. Frank Bruni needs to experience this. It?s that good.
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Komati
November 26, 2008
I took my boyfriend here for one of his birthday dinners this year and we both fell in love with the place. It's a charming, cozy place with great food and excellent service. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, were very attentive to our needs without being "in your face." Food, atmosphere and service - Smith's is a perfect little package.
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goldbarr
May 03, 2008
The early reviews appear to have been written about a week after this restaurant opened. Give them a break. I was there in April and couldn't disagree with the poor reviews more. the food was delicious, moderately priced and the service was extremely friendly. Our greeting was warm and we loved the sounds of soul being played through most of our evening. The restaurant is a bit loud when it gets busy. Don't miss the bar in the back.
read full reviewThe Details on Smith's Restaurant
What to Drink:
The pricey, often-changing wine list is on the short side, but includes half bottles and a small list of by-the-glass options. The 2006 Dashe Dry Creek Zinfandel is a relatively good bargain at $27 for a half-bottle.
Fun Fact:
The brains behind the operation are well-known restaurateur Danny Abrams (Mermaid Inn) and his co-partner Cindy Smith (Raoul's).
The Extras:
Your hunger level will determine your need for homey sides like the cheesy cauliflower gratin, but most dishes are served in small enough portions that you'll probably be able to squeeze a couple in.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Discover, Visa, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, Date Spot, Dine At The Bar
