A Pasadena icon that has been the go to weeknight cocktail and dinner spot for decades. Great food and a typically excellent Smith Bros wine selection. Nothing more to say - if you know you know... read more

Slow and demeaning service. Without a reservation they offered us a seat inside "if we left by 1pm." What???! Thanks for making me feel welcome. Instead we sat out on the patio where they forget about us. We had to ask at least 2 times for the check and ended up just getting up and walking up to get it. Their Mac n Cheese that supposedly used to be amazing is not good AT ALL. I could make better in my own kitchen. They apparantly changed the recipe. The cornbread and meatloaf was good but didn't make up for the fact that they made me feel unwelcomed. Fortunately they comped our meal after we complained. read more

Smitty's has gone down the hill... Either that or the 1st&2nd time I've visited were the exceptions. My McRib Eye came out almost medium well when I asked for medium rare, sent it back, and by the time the replacement got here... I was eating by my lonesome self, everyone else in my party was done. What a disappointment. Sorry, not coming back here anymore, I'll go to Houston's to get a cheap rib eye instead, the ambiance is better as well. read more

With a group of 15+ people, we were seated outside in the patio in the back of the restaurant. Even though we happened to come on a very cold night, sitting outside was no problem because 1) it was covered and even blocked off by bushes, and 2) there were abundant heat lamps all around. Since we came to try out their burgers, 90% of us ordered burgers, choosing either the smokehouse burger (sort of like a bbq burger, complete with bacon) or the filet mignon burger. 2 others ordered the chicken pot pie, which came out in a round serving dish that looked too big too eat. it had to have been at least a foot in diameter across! But it was a pretty shallow dish, so I suppose it's still considered manageable. I didn't try this dish, but I didn't hear any complaints. We also ordered a number of appetizers. My favorites were the popcorn shrimp and the homemade potato chips. I don't actually eat a lot of shrimp, but everytime the platter passed me by, i would pop a couple in my mouth. It tasted like actual shrimp pieces in there, not ground up "shrimp" paste, and comes served with some type of ponzu-type sauce. The cornbread was not bad either, but just meh! compared to the popcorn shrimp. Now back to the burgers. I went with the filet mignon burger, which comes with bleu cheese. I am not a fan of bleu cheese so I asked them to replace that with cheddar. The waiter wrote that down without batting an eye. Sweeet. filet mignon with cheddar cheese. It comes topped with fried onion strings, and the usual tomatoes and lettuce. All burgers are also served with a good sized pickle! They're like half of a carnival sized pickle! The burger itself is a montrosity to finish, as all good burgers seem to be. The meat was perfectly medium rare and juicy. But in terms of meat flavor, it didnt' seem to have any oomph. So all in all, a great BIG meal, but lacked a bit in the flavor department. Definetly a place to try if you're in the area, but not worth it if you have to drive a long ways to come. There are a lot of other worthwhile burger joints to try elsewhere. 3.5 Stars read more

Dining for the business causal. I was impressed how spacious this place is with back dining rooms and a front and back patio dining. The main dining room was rather loud especially when the bar was in full gear. It's a good place to go after your 9 to 5 for some light evening social. We were seated in the back patio in front of the fireplace. It's a nice and relaxed atmosphere. Now for the food: Scallop with a cream wasabi sauce with a bean and potato salad for starters. This was a delcious dish. Although it only had 3 scallops as an appetizer, I could have easily made this a light full meal. Rattlesnake BBQ Baby Back Ribs (main course) with creamed spinach and mashed potato. The ribs were seasoned nicely with a tangy and flavorful bbq sauce but the meat was too lean and dry. The mashed potato was awesome. All of us have had mashed potato; what's so special about this one. I'm not sure but I could have eaten this all night long. The consistency and texture was somehow just right. The cream spinach was good as well. It was a bit rich but the bacon bits in it made it a great side. Prime Rib. woooo, I wish I got the prime rib instead. I did get to sample some of my wife's plate. It's was a decent sized piece of beef with good thickness to it. The meat quality wasn't very marbled but still very tender. Cream Horseradish and Au jus complimented the meat wonderfully. The service was swift and friendly but nothing over the top. Staff was courteous and helpful. So, in the end I did think the meals for 2 were a bit overpriced, But we certainly could have chosen less expensive items on the menu. Unfortunately, I got the BBQ ribs which was a 3 stars plate for me, but after sampling my wife's plate, that deserved a 4 stars. In the end, our experience was really a 3.5 star evening. read more

Everyone had been raving about this place, so my husband and I went out to dinner there. Noise level was on the louder side, but the waiter was friendly and service was prompt. That's about all... I hate sending back food. Hate it! I had to send back my steak twice! The first steak was WAY overdone(fillet should not take a minute to chew one bite), the second was still raw. By the time my steak arrived the third time, my husband was done, I was full on the baked potato and I just wanted to go. They packaged it up and sent it home with me, but I don't remember eating it. read more

Smitty's is my go-to spot for taking the parents to dinner when they visit. It's casual dining, but you will definitely need a reservation here, or suffer an incredibly long wait time at the hands of the unfriendly hostess. You may be able to get a seat outside in the heated patio without a reservation, as my party did once after a dinner gone bad at another place. Strangely, I've had the same waiter four out of five times, Moses. He is warm, efficient, and very knowledgeable about the food here. The dining room staff is very organized, and the meal always goes smoothly. Finally, the food has been consistently good. I do not order steaks here (or anywhere else) so I have no comment about that. The baby back ribs were good but not spectacular. I like the chicken, which was inexpensive for a very large portion with nice sides. The salmon special was also amazing, perfectly cooked with a delicious red pepper sauce. I also like the sand dabs, which are lightly fried flatfish served with lemon-caper sauce, but the portion was a bit small. As far as appetizers, I usually opt for their unique cornbread, which is more like a cake and served in a large portion in a cast-iron skillet. The popcorn shrimp is greasy and suffers from poor presentation but tastes delicious, with an amazing vinegary sauce. I would avoid the bean and cheddar dip, which is good when hot but lackluster after a few minutes For desserts, the key lime pie has strong flavors but it's a bit too sweet for me. Instead I prefer the bread pudding, which is very balanced and delicious. This is a place where you can enjoy good food with close friends and family in an elegant, subdued setting. read more

The hubby loves to come here for the gigantic pot pies, I think they are ok but he loves them, The crust is pretty flaky but the gravy is not to my liking. However, I did enjoy the Tuna Melt that I ordered the last time I was there, it was huge as well. The large portions work well since the price is a little on the pricier side, so you are getting your bang for the buck. They have valet parking available in the back. read more

Pros: I've been coming here for years, love the steaks here when I'm craving red meat. All time favorite thing on the menu is the iron skillet corn bread, an amazing appetizer that makes a great breakfast if you have some leftover. The potato chips at the bar are the best chips I've had, they are made in house! Cons: It is rather dark & loud inside and we had pretty crap service last time; either our waitress was a wreck or they were just crazy swamped that night and the regular sommelier wasn't there. It literally took ten minutes for them to get the wine they ordered with their dinner, and our meal took quite a long time to arrive. I got the mac and cheese most recently because I had recently had my tonsils out and wasn't sure I was up to a steak after not eating much for two weeks. It wasn't bad but not anything to write home about, very dry for mac and cheese. read more

For a fancy, smancy white table cloth place, the food is a bit over priced for the quality. Like all other Smith Brothers restaurants, they suck you in with the amazing bread but the entree tends to never be better than the bread. I had the Chicken Pot Pie and it looked amazing, but could not beat a Marie calendars pie. It would also be nice to know the pairings/sides that come with each dish. read more

This review is hot off the press! I happened to stumble upon this treasure in Pasadena today for lunch, while there with my older sister and her friend for some quick errands. And boy were we glad we strolled in for a brief, delicious lunch! Our party of three were promptly seated, the moment we entered, as it didn't seem to be a packed lunch hour. The menu was quite extensive, calling for some observant eye-probing. Because I was only looking for a light lunch, the crunchy ahi tuna with sesame-chile vinaigrette caught my attention. Whereas both my sister and her friend ended up ordering the delectable, sea bass special atop a bed of squid ink risotto. Eagerly awaiting for our food to arrive on the table, we thought the preparation time was a little too long but casually attributed to our impatience. Thankfully, our server was such a great, upbeat conversationalist. We enjoyed the table-side, playful humor a whole lot! We couldn't have asked for a better waiter! Finally the food made it to our table, and we dug in graciously. I've never been a big fan of tuna myself, but I really enjoyed the crunchy tenderness of the ahi tuna they served at Smitty's. I loved the contrast of a cooked exterior and the fresh rawness of the inside. Just exquisite . I also got the chance to sample my sister's sea bass, which was explosively flavorful, moist, and slightly tangy. The risotto, although I have had better (at Celestino's across the street), complemented the sea bass very well. So why four stars? As a first timer at Smitty's Grill, I was very impressed by the diverse selection of food (there was a balance between traditional, comfort food and edgy, modern cuisine) and it's unbeatable service! You will spot me again at this place very soon :), and I determined to try it's macaroni and cheese with ham the next time I am there! read more

We came here for a graduation celebration dinner, and sat in the covered patio area outside the main restaurant. The staff was very friendly and accommodating, so thumbs up for the service! Food-wise, we had the Crab Salad which was quite good. For a main entree, three of us shared one entree of the Prime Rib (which was huge!). I can't imagine how one person could eat the entire piece of Prime Rib that was served! We even had leftovers after the three of us were done eating. We also ordered a side of mushrooms, which were okay. Again, the servers were very attentive and always made sure our drinks/waters were replenished. Valet parking behind the restaurant and limited street spots directly out front on Lake. read more

Very good I had the prime rib and sautéed mushrooms, this place has been there all my life but never tried and now I can see why it's been there so long read more

Imagine this: It's the Friday before the week in which you start a new job. Your soon to be boss calls to tell you that HIS boss - our collective boss - will be in town and wants to take us out to dinner. Of course one says yes. So my two other team members backed out leaving me going to dinner alone with the man who conducted a Face Time interview. I must have passed because I got hired! So we met at the restaurant. I got there first and was a bit confused by the parking situation until a nice gentleman in an adjacent parking structure pointed out the street behind the restaurant. So in other words, if you've never been to Smitty's and you need to know where to park, valet parking and other lots are behind the restaurant. Speaking of valet parking, the two gentlemen who were on duty that night were extremely friendly. The only way I can describe Smitty's Grill is posh. I used swanky at first but it's not overly done, more casual elegance. So once my boss arrived, we were seated although technically we were early. Cloth tablecloth, cloth napkins...oh dear. Am I going to embarrass myself again? The waiter - and I am so sorry I don't remember his name - Matthew? - was courteous, friendly, efficient, observant, and patient. He was also well-informed on the menu items (yes, it's part of the job but he seemed to have knowledge more than giving a recitation - does that make sense?). We had a bottle of wine (Smith & Hook), the crab cakes for starters, and I had the petit filet. The boss had the boneless short ribs. Both entrees were accompanied by mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. The crab cakes were just absolutely divine. Melt in your mouth perfection. Not overly seafood tasting, the right amount of seasoning. A nice way to start the meal. I cannot speak to the short ribs but the filet was cooked to perfection (medium). Beautifully seared and pink inside, just the way I was craving. Smitty's has their own steak sauce which has a bit of a BBQ take. There was - unfortunately - nothing spectacular about the potatoes or spinach except they complimented the meal well. We passed on dessert and coffee. Overall, I cannot think of one thing that I would have changed. The servers/waiter/staff were friendly, professional, and our waiter was quite personable. I definitely will keep Smitty's Grill in mind for my next "posh" dinner date. read more

Smitty's offered a woefully disappointing dining experience. First off, don't be misled by the pictures. While the food is presented elegantly enough, the zest and flavor is sorely lacking. It may look good on the plate, but after your first bite, you will notice the food is bland and uninspired. The cheese bread appetizer, I must mention, tasted particularly gross. Second, the customer service is horrid. Among the many grievances: no plate settings were on the table, we received no table bread, our orders came out cold, side dishes were missing and, when we mentioned this to the server, she failed to return with our absent orders. Note that for just about any request, we had to flag her down twice to get it done. I consider myself a diner of reasonable expectations--decent food and an attentive server. It's really not that much to ask for. When people dine out, they want to be taken care of and have a good experience. Don't expect one if you go to Smitty's. read more

Can Corn Bread be a meal in itself. It sure can at Smitty's Grill. The corn bread is baked in a big cast iron skillet and is to die for.....gosh just writing this makes me crave it.......mmmm. Any who, the service is great and I've never had a bad meal here. The ONLY downside is that this place can get very busy and at times it feels like they sit parties on top of each other, but its good food so what can you expect. For a light lunch I recommend splitting the cornbread with someone and ordering a bowl of their steak chili. read more

This place is outstanding in many ways. Service is impeccable and the food is great. The little touches like the Birthday greeting card and orchid waiting on our table for my wife's birthday is a very appreciated touch touch. Look fwd to our next visit read more

From the moment we crossed the threshold of Smitty's, this past week, we were greeting with sincere warmth and smiles! We had never been here before so we were a little worried when we arrived we would have to wait (we were on a tight lunch schedule) but Jessica, took us in right away and gave us a fantastic table with our new favorite server of all time, Bobby! The food was amazing and Bobby made some stellar recommendations! The Calamari is just a little piece of fried heaven! We also had the Smitty's salad, and the Smokehouse Burger. Both were nothing less than impressive! Our cocktails, the Lemon Drop Martini (shaken to perfection) and the Old Fashioned (smooth and just a hint of orange and masterfully crafted) were absolutely delightful! So what then, could top our experience? Not much except the fact that the manager came to check on us! Thomas was so polite and polished. Some restaurants the managers are too busy or maybe too snooty to stop by but Thomas was sincerely concerned about us having a great experience and was truly the cherry on top of our experience! Thank you Smitty's Staff for providing us a lunch to remember, we will be back soon, hopefully when we have a bit more time to lounge and enjoy the ambiance! read more

Amazing steak and wine selection. Dim lights but not pretentious. Great for date night. Will be back again.

Well, I used to LOVE this place. I'm a huge lamb chop fan, and while they used to have some incredibly flavorful lamb CHOPS, they switched their menu a bit......and got rid of the chops.....only to replace them with a lamb shank. Not the same AT ALL, and I didn't like it. In fact, now, I don't see lamb anywhere on their menu (unless I missed it). Their salads and side dishes were still great quality. Their skillet cornbread is awesome. Downer.....they also raised their prices significantly (the last time we were there). Unfortunately, it has been awhile since I went there. The seating outside is VERY nice, tranquil and quiet, and if you eat inside, yes, it's VERY noisy. I definitely want to go back, but I need to move on from the lamb chop issue. They really do know how to make some good food. read more

This has kind of an "old boys club" vibe to it, in as classy a sense as that can be and service was impressive. The smokehouse burger was enormous and delicious. Too bad I ended up giving it to my date after she ordered the filet mignon burger and discovered she did not like bleu cheese. *Sigh* Maybe next time I'll be able to eat the whole smokehouse burger myself haha read more

We came as a large party and were taken a good care of. The service was prompt and unostentatious - quite classy. The menu was a bit unimpressive - for American comfort food they could have added a couple more hearty items and exciting appetizers. I was hoping that, perhaps, the food will be surprisingly good, but alas... My turkey burger was dry and dull, the Cobb salad was a little messy, and the chicken pie had some interesting substance inside. I didn't think their prices and food items were adequately matched. The place has a great ambiance and impeccable service. Now, if only the food was up to par... read more

I've been going to this place for years and they have good food but recently quality has gone down and they are not delivering on their promises. The last 3 times I've ordered from them it has taken up to 3 hours to get the food delivered. Today it took 2.5 hours. I can go to T J in less time than that. Cmon get with it. Last time they mixed up my order and gave me someone else's order. They had the nerve to come back and give me my order and take back the wrong one. I hope with Covid going on they didn't then deliver the wrong order to the rightful owner. God have mercy read more

Meh. Listen, if you're going to put down a pretty penny on dinner in Pasadena, don't go here. If your grandmother wants to take you & your boyfriend out to dinner & she wants to go here, then go. The only problem is that you wont be able to hear each other speak because it's so effing loud in there. The food is nothing special, no signature dishes really. Macaroni & cheese, meat loaf, burgers, salads... whatever. The bean dip is actually really good, though. read more

Since there was a long wait at Houstons, my friend and I decided to try this place out, considering we always pass by but have never dined here before. I'm surprised this place doesn't have better reviews considering how much we enjoyed our dinner! We started with the special appetizer -- some tempura ahi tuna which was NOT GOOD. We were surprised when we were served, what we thought to be, 3 jalapeños stuffed with I guess what was supposed to be ahi tuna. Honestly, each bit not only set our mouths on fire, but did not taste like fish (or anything delicious!). We only found out at the end that this disappointing dish cost us around $15! We also ordered the cornbread, which we spotted at many other tables and boy oh boy was it DELICIOUS!! If you're here, you MUST try their cornbread. It came out fresh and hot. The crust was very crisp and there was a sweetness too it, kind of like muffin tops! As for our entrees, we shared the BBQ baby back ribs and another special of the night, an Asian chicken salad. The ribs were delicious -- very tender and nicely cooked. Our sides were fries and creamed corn (instead of coleslaw). We honestly took 3 bites of the creamed corn. It wasn't like how we imagined (like at other steakhouses). They added some other flavors to it, that I can't honestly describe. The salad was also very delicious. A good mix of greens, chicken, carrots, tomatoes, macadamia nuts, almonds, etc. The dressing was also light and not overpowering. Besides the horrible appetizer, I enjoyed every bit of dining here and will surely be back!! read more

I love Smitty's! Great menu selection and amazing service. Their ribs are TO DIE FOR - so so good..they melt in your mouth! You must also try their creamed corn! read more

Great place to enjoy a long lunch and some drinks... I love their short ribs osso bucco...their desserts are quite pleasing... The ambiance is nice and friendly service. a must try. read more

Every time I come, I can't help but order the skillet cornbread. This is one of the best staple restaurants in Pasadena. The BBQ sauce is fantastic and the service is amazing. The menu options seem simple, modest even, but make no mistake, every morsel gets a gourmet treatment. Definitely worth trying. read more

Poor Food, Mediocre Service, Probably Ain't Going Back. The Good - The cornbread is pretty good and comes straight out of the oven, though I have had better. Tasted the New York steak which was good, but not as good as I thought for the same owners at the Arroyo Chophouse. The steak is better than Houstons, but I'd rather go to Madeleines or Ruths Chris at these prices. The Newcastle beer comes straight from a bottle - cannot mess that one up. The Bad - The Short Ribs Osso Bucco style looked way better than they were. I was not enjoying any of this, except a few bites of the mashed potatoes and baby carrots. It lacked flavor and what flavor it did have was gross (BTW - their steak sauce is also very yukkky!). The crispy Ahi appetizer was also terrible. Maybe, it was because you do not order fish on a Sunday. The spicy dipping sauce and lime helped hide the terrible cuts of fish. The Mediocre - The service was a little slow because our waiter was working 1/3 of the room (maybe an exaggeration, but felt like it). Luckily, one of the hostesses helped out. We were there early so they told us we would have to wait 5-10 minutes for a table inside (it was 1/4 full at the time). After 10 minutes, they showed us to one of 2 dozen empty tables --- Why the Wait????????? I remember having a great burger about 2 years ago here, but I don't think the food is even close today. Would have got one star, but our waiter gave us the cornbread complimentary. My words, "that was a total waste of money." How it remains so busy, I do not know.... read more

Overpriced. Frozen Dinners Can Taste Better. Years ago, this place made a good cheeseburger. These days, maybe they only make some good cornbread. The service is lackluster. We ended up dealing with a couple different people on ordering food because it was taking so long, which really messed up our order. The Osso Buco style short ribs were terrible. I was hungry, so I could usually eat anything but these were worse-tasting than a Hungry Man frozen dinner. Thinking about it makes me sick. The only thing I wanted to take home was the rest of the cornbread. The wine list is typical of a newer restaurant serving nothing great, but everything with a name that everyone can recognize. No need for a sommelier and no need to pair up your meal with the wine. This place is a huge step down from say, Houstons. I think the prices may be a step higher than Houstons. Honestly, I wish I went to McDonalds and ordered a Big Mac. It would have tasted much better and I could have saved a ton of money. read more

Smitty's does it right, the food is exceptional. Interesting choices you can't find at most upscale restaurants like Chicken pot pie, Beef Stroganoff, Meatloaf. All at pretty reasonable prices. I had the Lake Superior White Fish, with spinach and mash potatoes, delicious! The ambiance is cozy and inviting. Best of all is the service. The manager, who introduced himself as Matthew heard we were celebrating a birthday and were fans of the place, took a few minutes of his busy night to sit and chat with us. Then sent us over an unexpected birthday desert! What a treat to be given that kind of attention, very rare indeed. BTW, the bar makes a mean Manhattan! read more

Very disappointed. This was the choice to celebrate 88 years! The service started wonderfully! Seated a little after 6:00. Drink orders taken and brought right away. Appetizer and dinner orders taken shortly thereafter. Then, it fell apart. The wait was forever, appetizers were not delivered and dinner was brought at 7:00 cold. There's nothing worse then cold fries with the very salty French dip. When we asked about the appetizer, we were just told they would comp them and bring them out now! No thank you. I guess they comped the birthday dessert, but there was no mention of why we weren't charged. I guess that was the apology. I guess that was not what I was expecting at such a nice restaurant. read more

Food is excellent. Nice ambiance. No waiting needed. Severs are good abd friendly. Nice wine selection.

We visit a family in Pasadena and went for a dinner to this restaurant the food was great but our waitress Judith was the best waitress ever, She is so polite nice professional. Great job Judith!! read more

Not only do we love the food and ambiance, but most importantly we love Judy! We've been coming to Smitty's for almost 20 years now and consider her of the highest level possible for a serving professional. We come here as our "occasion" restaurant for all these years and specifically ask for her. You wouldn't be wrong to do the same! Thanks for all the amazing nights, Judy! read more

The best bartender in Pasadena, Cathleen, is gone! What happened, Smittys? The new guy's aged bourbon cocktails doesn't taste as good. What made Smitty's exceptional was the fact that each bartender made their own recipe for the aged Manhattan & Old Fashion and Cathleen's was the best. She had a loyal following. The bar section is empty for lunch now. Smitty's is not the same. It used to be 5 stars with her. Bring her back. Still no reply from Smittys. Ironic that they do this after she just got married... #Metoo read more

This is one of our favorite "go to" places in Pasadena, and it's an all-time favorite. The chicken pot pie is absolutely delicious but everything on the menu is worth trying (like the French Dip sandwich, yummy, or the beef liver which is only served occasionally but it will change your mind about liver). Service is always great and friendly. A Pasadena restaurant institution that should be on everyone's list. read more

Once again, Smitty's hit the high mark for all elements of an excellent dining experience. Convenient, reasonably priced valet or public parking. Warm reception, with offer of indoor or outdoor seating. Service "right on it". Luis, our waiter, and colleagues, did the job very well. Appetizers, salads and main course delivered in a properly timed sequence. One of our foursomes had the justly famous, gigantic chicken pot pie which was given big "thumbs up". I think it could have satisfied two or even three diners! Two of us had the sanddabs, which were as good as we have had in the homeland of sanddab fishing, Monterey. Salmon rounded out the entrees ordered. Everyone agreed the meal left nothing to be desired. Then, exhibiting great heroism, all rose to the occasion and knocked off an excellent chocolate sundae. Frankly, I would be hard-pressed to name a better all-around menu in Greater LA. All the favorites that do not go out of style. And the prices are extremely fair. Smitty's = Value. Anything I missed? Sam read more

There's a naked picture of Burt Reynolds in the ladies' restroom. He looks like an ape, he's so hairy; so it's hard not to stare while you wash your hands. Cuz you're like, "Oh my gosh. He's a monkey." But the food is pretty good. The french dip is way better than the very overrated Phillipe's downtown any day. ANY day. The skillet cornbread is dangerously delicious and can become a meal in itself -- it's got light, buttery crumble on top, and they serve it with unsalted butter. The steak soup is like eating birria, if you know what that is -- fall-apart tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. I ordered a shrimp cocktail that came with four shrimp that were so jumbo I thought they might fight back. My husband's baby back ribs met the fall-off-the-bone test. The mashed potatoes are out of control -- whipped, no lumps, perfect flavor, and sprinkled with chives. They make a nice cosmopolitan; next time I'll try an old fashioned. The service was terribly slow -- we went a few nights before the holidays, though, and the place was packed. We had reservations and still had to wait half an hour; then had to wait 45 minutes for our food to arrive -- no joke. I could write more good things, but I'm pretty sure you're just gonna go to see the naked picture of Burt Reynolds. read more

Smitty's is definitely The South Lake Business District place to see and be seen. Rarely is this place not packed, from the bar to the restaurant. This would not be the place to bring a first date unless you really don't want to engage in a conversation. The restaurant is small, and the kitchen in partially open to the dining room. There is a room in the back that is much quieter than the main dining room. On the positive side, the food is delicious, and few restaurants can rival their wine list. Their specials are always innovative. It appears that it is the best, well priced, restaurant for Prime Rib in Pasadena since the closing of Beckham Place Grill. There are other restaurants in Pasadena offering delicious Prime Rib, but they are much more expensive. My only criticism is that I still have not found a restaurant that can make the "whipped horseradish sauce" that was offered Beckham Place Grill. The horseradish sauce at Smitty's tastes like it is made with mayonnaise. You can get a table without a reservation, but I advise you call ahead to get a good table. Another great menu item: Chicken Pot Pie (large enough for two people) and the Hanger Steak (melt-in-you-mouth tender) read more