Smyth
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There is no doubt in my mind that the ingredients could not be fresher or higher quality if they'd tried. At the same time, it felt as though the dishes were missing a crucial component: love. Smyth's stats are maxed out on creativity - with virtually all ingredients being transformed into something new, unique, and interesting. The Maine Lobster, for example, did not resemble lobster as I know it, but was an adaptation I could not prepare myself or even imagine. In terms of taste, I would give a 7/10, maybe an 8/10 if I'm in a good mood. None of the dishes were bad, but there were no standouts. No cases where I found myself saying "I want another one of *that*!" and instead was saying "Thank you, next!" Technically, the dishes were executed with perfection, hitting all the right notes. Like with a musical symphony, though, simply hitting the right notes at the right time isn't enough... love, passion, raw emotion, or lack thereof, all come through. The kitchen is the perfect symbol. I didn't expect Carmy to be there yelling at the top of his lungs, and I understand the call and response being needed for the kitchen to function well. It is noted, though, that the call and response sounded almost robotic. Talking about the service, it was good, but borderline overbearing. One could not go to the restroom without someone also rushing to open the door for you. Are we the First Family? Needing the Secret Service to open all doors for us? Everyone was very welcoming, polite, hospitable, and all smiles. Staff knowledge of the dishes and wine were also top notch. However, the well refined smiles felt corporate, like something you would find in an expensive boutique versus a small business run by a very passionate tailor who pours his life into his work. About the ambiance... I was expecting a vibe like in Pretty Woman: "Shrimp fork, salad fork, dinner fork..." Instead, it felt like an upscale place that charges $27 for a cheeseburger, rather than a fine dining restaurant literally of the highest caliber. Speaking of forks: while I appreciate their collection of dinnerware, some of it felt ill-suited for getting all of the sauce in the dishes. A piece of bread would be fantastic, but I would only be a *little* surprised if Julian Slowik came by and said "these people aren't worthy of bread!" Wanting to complete the experience, we went for the standard wine pairings. The service staff did a great job explaining the wines and what makes them special. While I typically drink whiskey, it was a unique experience to be able to compare and contrast! Being someone who buys wines that are priced low and have pretty labels, I enjoyed trying bottles that retail ~$50, if I had to guess. Nothing mind-blowing, and I can only recommend if you're a wine aficionado to any degree, even a small one. A few small notes: when we mentioned the oshibori (wet napkins) being cold wasn't great on a cooler day, the next ones were provided warm, appreciate that! There was no extra charge for mineral water or coffee (though the pour-over wasn't fantastic, nor was it particularly hot). The value: The total cost for three, was about $2,600. Knowing what goes into everything, I can't call it a rip-off. Running a restaurant of this caliber is not a money-printing business. At the same time, when we left, we were no longer hungry, but could still eat. That, combined with nothing being "the greatest thing I ever ate" only strengthens the gut punch. Final verdict: We had a very special occasion, and needed a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Smyth delivered on said experience, but it did so in a funky way. The insane cost was visible in what was on and around the table, but didn't translate to our faces while working our way through the menu.
Smyth in the Near West Side was a big letdown. For a 3 Michelin star restaurant, I went in with really high expectations and it just did not deliver. Out of the entire tasting menu, only about 3-4 dishes stood out as good, and even those were not particularly memorable. Nothing had that wow factor you expect at this level. At first, hearing the kitchen call out dishes and the team responding felt interesting, like you were getting a behind the scenes experience. But after a while it became repetitive and honestly a bit annoying, especially when you are trying to focus on the meal and conversation. The biggest issue is the price. Unlike many places booked through Tock, service is not included. It created confusion and made an already expensive meal feel even more overpriced. For what you get, it just is not worth it.
We made reservations two months ahead for a Friday night dinner. We arrived about 15 minutes before our reservation time and had a wait a few minutes before getting seated. The show pretty much started as soon as we sat down. The service was great throughout the night, but did feel a little rushed in between a few dishes. Overall they definitely do pay attention to detail. They make sure they clear ok opposite sides to make sure they're not reaching across your drinking hand. All the dishes were beautifully presented and most importantly tasted delicious. The most memorable being their Avocado & Cucumber and their Lamb entree. The lamb was so tender and very delicious and the avocado & cucumber was very unexpected. It had a hint of heat that balanced perfectly with freshness of the avocado and cucumber. Their Caviar was also really phenomenal. If I were to pick one dish this was a disappointment, I'd pick their Maine Lobster Dish. I've been to Maine and the whole northeast region, and I just didn't taste Maine in this dish. Overall we left very satisfied with our dinner and glad we finally tried our Smyth. Not sure if I'd return anytime soon thought. Just like Alinea, it's always great to try these places at least once, but a second visit is not in my future plans at the moment.
Having only gone to a few Michelin star experiences in my life, Oriole being the other, I'd say Smyth puts more of an emphasis on the culinary experience, taste, and how the flavor profiles of each dish is presented rather than the show, which is my preference. The menu rotates upwards of 14 times, I was told by my server based on the 14+ seasons of Japan. The menu currently, features a lot of inspiration from Japan and Asian fusion type culinary styles. I appreciated the exceptional service, attention to detail, thought that goes into how every dish is engineered. Eating at Smyth didn't get me "full" in the traditional sense where you feel bloated and stuffed but because every dish is precisely packed with flavor to the point where my taste buds would go into overdrive it was a bit overwhelming for me, especially as the menu made its way to the entrees and dessert portion. It is a once in a lifetime experience eating here at Smyth. Get ready to whip out your check books though, this is as expensive as it gets. After tax and tip, the regular tasting menu with one drink each, the bill came out to about $900/person.
This wasn't just dinner. This was a father and son memory that left an indelible impression. This was intention, patience, and serious craft, without the attitude. Two bites still live rent-free in my head. The quail bite A single, perfect portion, crisp on the outside, juicy and tender inside. The seasoning was dialed in just enough to let the bird speak for itself. Earthy, savory, and deeply comforting in a very refined way. It looked simple. It wasn't. This was technique hiding in plain sight, the kind that only comes from restraint and confidence. The tomato course Cool, bright, and quietly stunning. It tasted like peak summer distilled into something elegant and clean. Sweetness, acidity, and freshness all in balance. One of those dishes where you stop trying to analyze it and just let it do its thing. Light on the palate, heavy on memory. Beyond the food, the team deserves real credit. Warm, calm, and completely locked in. No scripts. No ego. Just people who clearly care about what they're putting in front of you and why it matters. Smyth doesn't try to impress you. It earns it, bite by bite
Smyth has been top on my list which means expectations were high. They did not disappoint. We were greeted by name as we walked in, just as you would if someone came to your house for dinner. After some brief pleasantries, the food experience began. Every course was incredible with standouts being the Dungeness crab tart, Eel Donut, Caviar and Pumpkin Seed, Rainbow Trout, and Venison Royale. Desert was spectacular as well with the Kombucha Tart stealing the show. We also did the Smyth wine pairing. It was a perfect choice to complement the food experience. Several of the wine choices were just ok as a stand alone but when paired with the food came to life. That was fun and added to the night. Not cheap by any means but an experience you won't forget! Service, ambiance, and experience delivered along the spectacular journey.
No doubt about it, this is a top 5 restaurant in America. When it comes to service, ambience, and obviously the FOOD, it beats out many others and is absolutely worth the money and whatever obstacle you'd have to face to get here (trust me, I've had my MANY obstacles just to get here). The area is warmly lit and welcoming. It feels like a dinner spot to cozy up in contrast to the Chicago winters (albeit, it was a historically warm week during Valentine's Day). The service was exceptionally accommodating and absent of snootiness. Although it was an experience away from pretentiousness, I would still consider to dress to impress to respect the night you will have. As for the food, it is clearly what sets it apart from other renowned restaurants. Whatever they intended to be crispy was delicately pleasant to bite through. Whatever was intended to be a mind-bender of what you wouldn't expect of an ingredient definitely got you thinking. Whatever protein that was the focus shined through in a way that wasn't too much of a overwhelmingly oily or umami bomb that would render other ingredients as less than secondary (AKA dishes were mostly balanced and not something that feels like an unenjoyable punch to the kisser). The seafood dish was amazing, but I would still say that I could've skipped some of the dessert (some were better than others), but I suppose the pastry chefs need to experiment in some way. I still enjoyed how literal they could take some ideas. By the end, I was VERY full. It's a pricey meal, so I am happy they understand how disappointing it would be to not be stuffed by the end. Ending off with a fun instant film picture was a little cherry on top. I would say that the take-home toffee was not as amazing as some take-home gifts from other Michelin-starred restaurants, the toffee itself was not too tough and had a good, lasting flavor that made you still remember the night you just had whenever you decided to eat it.
All exceptional to mind blowing dishes save one. I can see how it got voted the best restaurant in North America. Would be hard for me to say any one restaurant is the best but it's easy to understand why Smyth got the honor.
Walking into Smyth feels like walking into somebody's kitchen. You are greeted right away and the ambiance and decor remind that of somebody's old loft. Smyth is not a cheap dinner but you are getting 5 star dining experience and service. The chef decides the menu for you and it is about a 2.5 hour experience. The menu rotates and does change throughout the year. Overall the food was delicious and the ingredients are crafted and taken from all over the country. This is a truly great experience and highly recommend going for a special occasion. Plan ahead reservations open up a month ahead of time and they do fill up fast
Immaculate service! Truly an educational experience--with rare ingredients I'd never tried before (kelp!). The chefs menu is extensive and I won't recall all the dishes. The caviar with beef cream was a stand out--that cream was divine! Also the lobster and uni dish to be dipped in a walnut oil and peanut mixture was superb! From the deserts my favorite was the chocolate and cake which is a deceptive light uplifting 'non cake' . The rack of lamb and accompanying bread--sooo yummy. This is a special time treat that's sooo worth it!
I thoroughly enjoyed my restaurant experience here! The service from the waiters were excellent and ambience were nice. The food was crafted expertly and although there were a couple of dishes I didn't vibe with I still enjoyed experiencing them. Each wine paired nicely with the courses and were the perfect pour. Everything just flowed naturally the entire evening. There were more dishes than what I'm posting but go try for yourself! I'm glad I was able to try this spot out in Chicago!
OVERPRICED. One dish was mind blowing, most were merely good & maybe two were just ok. I'll mention price a lot because it matters. This is by far the most expensive restaurant I've been to thus far however one bite was solely & honestly worth the price of admission. I've only had one other out of body experience which was truly tear jerk worthy but this was my second time. Dear God the lamb I've had here will honestly NEVER be topped. I hope any patron visiting here indulges in that dish alone
My husband and I booked this reservation in December because it was our Christmas gift to one another. It is located in the Fulton market area so the parking garage was about a 3 minute walk to the restaurant so it was very convenient. Upon arrival they took our coats and seated us right away. We were greeted at our table quickly as well with a very friendly waiter that asked where we were from. Since this is a 3 start Michelin restaurant, people come from all over so we are very lucky to have it in our city! The restaurant was tastefully decorated with a very homey, dim, fireplace in a cold night vibe. The kitchen was open and all of the chefs were working in their stations. It was calm and well organized. I got the wine pairing with my food and my husband ordered the old fashioned (which was made with their own ingredients) and it was awesome. He also had another drink that was also very good. Every detail was on point with the plating, the utensil choice, and the unique blend of flavors and ingredients. We had some of the best and unusual tasting food dishes that we would have never thought would work together. One of the desserts was a Carmel truffle custard thing and I don't know how it worked, but it was great! The staff was very knowledgeable about every dish and where everything was sourced. Their sommelier was also very knowledgeable which is something you would expect from a high end restaurant like this. It was an amazing experience for anyone that lives in the Chicago area and anyone visiting that loves artfully crafted cuisine! The dishes were so beautiful that sometimes I didn't want to eat them! They definitely deserve the 3 start status!
Smyth is in the same class as Next, Oriole and Alinea. That's some tough competition. The space is gorgeous, with a quiet but open kitchen along the back, and a large open dining room. The soundtrack is great, and at just the right level. So I'd rate it above the cramped Next, rustic, Oriole and stuffy Alinea. Service was terrific. Each course was presented by a different chef, and the wine pairings were presented by a very personable sommelier. Front desk staff was also very welcoming, making the whole experience quite pleasant. It's the food that doesn't quite live up to those competitors. True, you never know what you're going to get at Next, but at Oriole and Alinea you can rely upon every component of every dish blending together in eye opening perfection. That was not the case here. This is definitely a menu for adventurous eaters, with courses such as duck tongue presented two ways. There were certainly some excellent individual components in the various courses (of which there were more than a dozen, counting the amuse bouches). But no single course every quite came together seamlessly. The Squab was delicious, but not improved by its accompaniments, the puree on which the lamb sat was exquisite, but the very vinegary black garlic sauce clashed, and an egg yolk and cream dessert would have been just as good without the egg. The first few wines (of nine) in the pairing were a bit out there, but the latter wines were better than the pairings at the above mentioned restaurants, and an amaro went particularly well with one of the desserts. For a restaurant open only a few weeks I was very impressed by Smyth. At over $500 for two people with the wine pairings, tax and gratuity I think it's fair to expect a bit more, and I imagine that given a bit of time they will deliver on that promise. read more
7 years ago
Best meal in Chicago so far. Checked all the boxes. Service was attentive and not overbearing. Plating was composed and food was delicious. Oh that bread!!! read more
6 years ago
The WORST Michelin Two Star restaurant ever!! Do not go there. If you are looking for michelin two stars in Chicago, go either Acadia or Oriole. Its either they are under-evaluated, or Smyth is way Over-evaluated. Horrible savoys, terrible services, and disgusting servers. Whoever write good reviews about Smyth is either they didnt pay for it or never get a chance to visit Michelin two star restaurant. Absolutely disgusting and total waste of money. If you dont believe me, check my pics with descriptions. Im sure you all will feel same way. read more
5 years ago
We came here on our wedding night and the experience started with a handwritten note which the staff had signed. It was so unexpected and wonderful, so thank you guys for that touch. I won't spend much time reviewing the food because I'm frankly not very qualified - but everything was interesting and presented beautifully. The lobster with raspberry sauce, paired with a sparkling rose, was our favorite! I was also excited to see a few of my favorite varietals on the wine pairing. I did want to mention the service though, which was outstanding. We had a fleet of people watching our table, but without ever feeling like they were there until they needed to be. The food and wine was always served at just the right pace for us (which notably varied from other tables nearby). A couple drips of sauce on the table and someone glided by within two minutes to erase it. Best of all though, everyone we interacted with made us feel so at ease and welcome while they educated us on the food and wine. Thank you Smyth for the wonderful experience on our wedding night. read more
7 years ago
Located on a quiet street in West loop, this is a two Michelin star restaurant. Open layout with classy and humble decor. Dress code is casual and millennial friendly. Reservations are required. Allow at least 2 hours for the meal. The restaurant only does course meals. No À la carte options for the food. You do have a exceptional selection of wines and spirits. We opted for the 'Smyth', a 8 course menu priced at $155/person. The food was absolutely delicious with flavors I had never experienced before. Every dish was meticulously crafted and complimented the theme of the menu. My favorite dish being the 'Spring Onions With Dungeness Crab & Rhubarb Root'. Also loved the potato dish that was simple and mind blowing at the same time. We also treated ourselves to a 2003 Riesling priced at $100 for a bottle. The wine was beautiful and enhanced the experience. While the food was astonishing, what stayed with me is the hospitality at the restaurant. No doubt the food is worthy of its Michelin stars, but the kitchen/serving staff makes the experience a memorable one. I have never experienced a more genuine, courteous, funny and personable bunch of individuals. The experience was startlingly impressive. I would definitely want to go back to the Smyth next time I am in Chicago. read more
4 years ago
6 years ago
Just another spectacular meal. Went for my wife's birthday and the experience was unparalleled. Unbelievably wonderful food served by a world class, caring staff. The reserve wine pair was mind blowing. read more
6 years ago
*before and during covid review* Take-out caviar kit + Smyth supper 4 stars Of course food during covid wasn't ideal especially from places that are normally incredible but this meal was pretty good even with being take out. For the caviar kit we received: A bottle of champagne (Serge Faust Brut)- very bubbly and flavorful. Smyth exclusive Ossetia caviar- delicate, salty bliss. Salmon roe deviled eggs- not my favorite, felt a little over the top with ingredients and the flavors were off to me. Smoked lake fish with apple and lemon- again not my favorite. I just personally don't like the flavor of smoked fish. Brown butter potato chips- delicious! Hard to beat potato chips in brown butter! In the Smyth supper we got: The ricotta cavatelli pasta with gravy and meatballs- very good. Sauce was very tasty, loved the ricotta cheese and the meatballs were huge and unique in texture and flavor. The only thing I would say is that the texture of the pasta itself was too soft. Other than that it was a great dish. Salad & fixings: super fresh and excellent flavors and seasoning. Really nice to have a light salad to go along with the heavy pasta and meatballs. Tiramisu- scrumptious is the only word I can think of. Rich coffee flavor with creamy and chocolatey mixed in. Absolutely lovely. 18 course Omaha tasting menu with wine pairing: 5+ stars Please see photos for information on specific items from the tasting since it is a lot to list here. For our anniversary last year we decided to super treat ourselves with a pricey tasting menu and wine pairing at Smyth. We went for the Omaha, I got the regular wine pairing and my partner got the reserve. From the moment we walked in we completely felt like royalty. That sat us right where the action was so we could be close to the kitchen and see all the chefs buzzing around and composing dishes. It was a great spot and was also far enough that we could have a conversation without too much noise. When the wine pairing started it was clear that the reserve was well worth the extra money. At one point my partner actually said "I think I completely understand wine now, this is incredible." By the end we were super tipsy on the wine pairing so there's that too! When the food started it was just 18 courses of beautiful, mind blowing, inspiring, creative and unique food. I really don't have words to describe how amazing this tasting menu was. All I can really say about it is, if you absolutely love food and love trying new food put their tasting menu on your wishlist. The one we got was very pricey but from the photos I've seen, it looks like they serve some of the same items across all the tastings. Im sure a cheaper one will do the trick too. It was truly an out of body experience and we will forever compare other tasting menus to this one. Overall I honestly just love Smyth (and the loyalist) because they always create the most incredible food. Their tasting menu will be hard to beat but I am looking forward to going to another one at Smyth as soon as the world gets a little more normal again. read more
8 years ago
Spectacular! This is a special restaurant doing wonderful things. I've been fortunate enough to have had dinner there twice. Each experience has been exceptional, and I cannot wait to return again and again. I like the ambiance and feel of the space. It's flexible in that some people come dressed up but others dine wearing jeans and a t-shirt. It's great for date night, but there were also a few larger parties of 3-6. The tables aren't congested which I appreciate. The kitchen is open and visible to the dining room so you can see the chefs work their magic. There is a nice energy in the room, and the music is a cool mixture of 70s, 80s, and 90s. When you look around, everyone seems to be having a good time and enjoying themselves :) The service is professional, knowledgeable, and friendly. Everyone was so gracious to answer all of my questions about ingredients in a dish, cooking methods, etc. Aside from the space and the service, the highlight of Smyth is without a doubt the food. It is phenomenal. Chef Shields is putting out food that no one else in Chicago is. His food is seasonal, creative, and progressive yet thoughtful. It feels like he's cooking with freedom and having fun doing so but he's not stretching too far where the food becomes too cerebral or inaccessible to diners. It's difficult for a tasting menu to be strong from start to finish, but Chef Shields does this easily. I recommend following him on Instagram (@chefjohnshields) and Instagram stories because it's fun to see dishes he's currently working on. I really appreciate that Smyth regularly updates the menus on their website! I love periodically checking and drooling over the latest offerings. Smyth is a destination restaurant that should be on everyone's list! Highly recommend! read more
Everything was delicious I just wished they were a little more experimental with flavors specifically with the tomato dish The actual location is well decorated and has a nice feel to it. Staff was phenomenal. Definitely will return. read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
I had dinner with my partner at Smyth and we both agreed that it was hands down the greatest meal/ dining experience of our lives. I didn't know food could taste this phenomenal. Every bite had so much complexity yet was so balanced. The ambiance is high class while still so welcoming and jovial. I have nothing but high praises for Smyth- it is absolutely incredible. We chose the truncated menu and were very fulfilled, but now we want to visit again for the full experience. I love when smaller menus are offered as it gives you a chance to dip your toe in before a larger financial commitment. That said, Smyth is worth every penny. Unbelievable! read more
Went here on a Friday at 8:45. Need to make a reservation at least two weeks in advance to get a table in this two Michelin stars restaurant. When you make the reservation you pay in advance for the whole meal. I really liked the decor, it felt more like a home rather than a restaurant. We went with the 8 course tasting menu which takes around 2 hours. The food was really good specifically I enjoyed the smoked beef tongue and the brioche doughnut. Also the shrimp and the Halibut were great. Finally, my favorite dessert between the three shown in the menu was the yogurt meringue. Maybe I made a mistake and went to the gym before heading to Smyth but I felt the portions were super small. Although, I enjoyed the food left the place very hungry. Very conveniently their other more casual restaurant were just downstairs that I grabbed a burger there! read more
8 years ago
Fantastic food; superb service. Highly recommend their wine pairing. The trout dish was phenomenal, it reminded me of Noma. The steak was aged to perfection (100+) days. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
We were very disappointed with our experience last night at Smyth, and as another reviewer put it there are a lot of "opportunities" that they need to work on. My husband made reservations 3 months ago for us to experience the 12-course tasting menu. We've dined at every Michelin Star rated spot in town, and others abroad around the world, so we feel like we have an idea of what to expect when it comes to service, preparation, tasting menu portions, etc. You know, because this wasn't our first rodeo. First, I must state that I have food allergies. Not only am I Celiac, but I'm also allergic to seafood and shellfish and carry an Epi-Pen on me at all times. My food allergies have never been an issue eating at any Michelin Star rated restaurants that we've been to both locally and internationally. We disclosed my dietary restrictions at the time of booking, but no one bothered to follow up or ask about it prior to our arrival. Upon arrival, our table was not ready even though we showed up on-time. We ordered a drink, and 20 minutes later our cocktails had still not been prepared so we were brought to our table. It was at least another 5 minutes before our drinks arrived, so 25 minutes from order to delivery. When we sat down, our server introduced himself and then went abruptly in to asking about my dietary restrictions and asked if I actually had those food allergies. To be honest it was kind of annoying, as I don't enjoy being "high maintenance" while dining out and wish I could eat whatever I pleased. But when he said "oh, um... ok, woah" in response to me saying I was celiac and had a severe allergy to seafood and shellfish, I got the feeling that the restaurant hadn't even bothered to think about what the heck to feed me for 12 courses. But I told myself that they are professionals, and surely I would still have an amazing meal. So, yeah... about that -- Not really. Aside from a few slivers of oxtail and gelatinous poached fois gras, my meal was completely vegetarian. I cannot begin to express how disappointed I was in their lack of planning and ability to accommodate my dietary restrictions. For $300 per person (plus babysitter!) to eat dinner, some fermented green onions and a dehydrated beet do not make a meal! Good to know: They count "palette cleansers" and goddamned AU JUS as courses, so imagine our surprise when the meal started winding down. As the first dessert arrived, and my stomach was literally growling from not eating all day to prepare for what I thought was going to be a 12-course mini-feast, we started looking at eachother like WT-?! Our night of strange flavors (nothing really wowed us unfortunately) and tiny servings of vegetables was not going to suffice. After we settled the tab, my coat was unable to be found for some time. While we waited, we looked up where the nearest place was to grab a bite to eat. They finally found my coat, and we drove around the corner to Shake Shack for a late night lettuce wrap burger. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about fine dining. But I'm truly baffled as to how this establishment earned not one, but TWO Michelin Stars with their service issues across the board. Instead of trying too hard to be "avante garde" with dehydrating and fermenting every dang teensie course, perhaps it's time to try a little harder with just serving great food with great service? Just a thought. [I forgot to take a pic of the Au Jus, but if you count all the pics there are 11. Every one of those were "courses." Totally NOT an acceptable 12-course meal.] UPDATE: Upon further inspection, it appears they fed us the 8-COURSE TASTING MENU and not the 12-course that we prepaid for! Really, Smyth?! read more
3 years ago
5 years ago
7 years ago
The food here is delicious and very high quality. I did the Omaha 20 course option and had a great time. The staff is phenomenal and made sure that my beverages were always refilled. Loved my time here and will definitely be coming back. They also gave me a to go box with a pastry in it! So sweet of them. read more
9 years ago
I've been to many coursed menu restaurants. I must say Smyth offers originality in taste and different combinations of flavors that is unexpected to pair well. For instance ... the Dungeness crab and foie gras dish... (my favorite) was rich and keeps you wanting to take another bite. The beet dish was my least favorite but I would give them the originality part. The rib eye was dry aged over 100 days which gave its full body flavor and tenderness. I would return to Smyth to try their other menus. read more
8 years ago
I *really* enjoyed the two-Michelin-starred Smyth, though I cannot feign True Knowledge and must admit that I don't necessarily have the required experience to rate/compare one Michelin-starred restaurant from another. I say this because our party of seven would have rated Smyth just 2.5 stars while I am giving it 4, perhaps a bit generously. Though others in my group have been to Oriole and Alinea -- a restaurant with three(!) Michelin stars -- I have been to only one restaurant that was *formerly* Michelin-starred (it was Vie, which I really loved). However, nobody else in my group likes to cook, which I feel gives a completely different perspective on food versus simply being able to afford a $200.00/person dinner and eating it. I've written the review from MY perspective, a "cook's perspective," while inserting the collective reviews and ratings of 6 others who didn't always taste what I did, but definitely pointed out minor shortcomings in Smyth's service such as leaving empty cocktail glasses on the table for up to 15 minutes. The restaurant is really nice looking and their bar downstairs (called The Loyalist) looks overly similar. Once we moved upstairs for the dinner reservation, a few of us felt that a table of seven paying $1400 in a very similar atmosphere wasn't the right approach; it was as if we were still customers in the same bar, but the tab was much higher. Note that you pre-pay at Smyth, so the only add-on billable is alcohol. I've included the opinions of my six fellow diners, including a bunch of nice photos too. Here we go: our 8-course Smyth experience! # Amuse-bouche --- Capital Oyster Seasoned w. Dulse, Turnip & Preserved Berries Me = GREAT... A small bit of strawberry really elevated the taste of what you are used to with a raw oyster. This was a neat combination of ingredients and really unique. Table = (4 Likes // 2 Dislikes) The dislikes didn't eat it as one bite and could taste the "seafoodness" of the oyster. COURSE #1 --- Lightly Steamed Halibut w. Fermented Green Tea Me = GREAT... Perfectly cooked halibut and the blob of green-tea-infused gelee? Amazing and subtle all at once. Table = (4 Likes // 2 Dislikes) Green tea is polarizing, I guess. COURSE #2 --- Glazed Red Kuri Squash, Quince, Young Pumpkin Seeds & Wild Rice Me = GREAT... It included foie gras and the wild rice took form as foam, which had a really pleasant umami effect. Table = (6 Likes // 0 Dislikes) Universal love on this one. COURSE #3 --- Celery Root Glazed w. Truffle, Burnt Onion & Barley Me = GREAT... This little tart-like bite was delicious. I love root vegetables and Smyth really gourmet'd this one up a notch. Table = (6 Likes // 0 Dislikes) All seven of us enjoyed it. COURSE #4 --- Maitake Cooked w. Birch Wood & Wintergreen Me = GREAT... "Hey! I can make this." Ok, it was simple and I can't make it the *same* way, but this mushroom is grown locally, so we can all find it, grill it and serve with a butter sauce like they do here. Table = (6 Likes // 0 Dislikes) Meaty and mushroomy, this course was appreciated by the anti-fungi members of the group. COURSE #5 --- Smoked Beef Tongue w. Sprouted Wheat & Pickled Plum Me = GREAT. GROSS. GREAT. (LOL) I almost called Smyth for a substitution when I found out tongue was on the menu, but wow, I loved the flavor of the sauce and the charred edges of the tongue. The center is akin to Spam, so yeah... just eat it and don't ponder whether the food tastes YOU! ;-) Table = (3 Likes // 3 Dislikes) I got others' plates since they really didn't like the Spam-like softness, so that is what it is. I agree somewhat that the menu's beef selection was visibly cheap: tongue? Nothing of higher value/cost for a $1400 tab? # Amuse-bouche --- Brioche Doughnut w. Aged Beef Au Jus Me = GREAT... A fresh, Krispy-Kreme style doughnut without the glaze? I could eat so many! Table = (4 Likes // 2 Dislikes) This table only gets worse, as two people were unimpressed with the best doughnut I ever had. SAD! COURSE #6 --- Milk Chocolate, Raspberry Preserves, Shiitake & Kelp Me = GREAT... So delectable and divine. You could smell the powdered mushroom dust on top, but once you bit in, the soft ingredients combined into a Lady-Godiva-like dream. Table = (6 Likes // 0 Dislikes) Odd, this one... some felt it was overthought and could not sense the shiitake or kelp oil per se, but I noticed all ingredients and they just worked. COURSE #7 --- Roasted Kombu Ice Cream, Fermented Grains & Black Apple Me = BLAH... This was fiiiiiine, but weird. The ice cream was not interesting and the chewiness of add-ins was off-putting. Table = (0 Likes // 6 Dislikes) I ate two extra plates; hated by all. COURSE #8 --- Egg Yolk Soaked In Salted Licorice w. Frozen Yogurt Meringue Me = GREAT... So creamy with berry preserves hidden beneath. Lots of intriguing flavors and texture; the egg yolk had a chewy exterior. Table = (1 Like // 5 Dislikes) Everyone else was crazy and I ate three extra plates, woo hoo! read more
4 years ago
9 years ago
Visited on 11/22/2017. I've never dined at a restaurant with 2 Michelin stars before, but I figured this was the perfect occasion to celebrate "Siblings-Giving" and my sister-in-law's birthday. Smyth (pronounced like "Smith" as in Agent Smith from the Matrix trilogy, not Sm-EYE-th) is one of those venues that should be on a bucket list for anyone spending a night in Chicago. Should you decide to drive, there is plenty of free street parking along Ada St. Should you arrive early, head downstairs to The Lobbyist for a strong cocktail. Should you celebrate a special event, inform the staff prior to your reservation and they will take the time to sign a birthday card, bring a complimentary bottle of champagne for the table, and contribute to the end of the party with a delightful chocolate dessert. Course #1: Salted Radish & Apple with Oyster & Seaweed (5/5) - It was large enough to savor with a couple of bites unlike a traditional oyster shooter, but small enough to wet an appetite and set appropriate expectations for the rest of the night. Course #2: Dungeness Crab & Foie Gras with Scrambled Kani Miso (5/5) - For some reason, I thought this would be amazing for brunch. Just make sure to enjoy an equal amount of all the ingredients in each bite, and don't devour the entire piece of foie gras at once like my brother. Course #3: Slow Cooked Beet with Boudin Noir (4/5) - Unfortunately, the explanation of how they created this dish was the best part... I think they managed to dehydrate the beet and re-hydrate it with juice from a lobster over 48 hours? Maybe I just don't enjoy beets after two unpleasant juice cleansing experiences that made all of my bowel movements look like they were hatched by Grimace from McDonald's. Course #4: Aged Ribeye with Marmite and Buttermilk (5/5) - The main event, and the reason why we opted for the five-course tasting menu over the eight-course tasting menu (I think the eight-course menu offered Beef Tongue as the main dish, and if you have read my Yelp reviews before, you know that I am not a fan). As the open kitchen was right next to our table, we could smell these ribeyes being prepared which added to the anticipation and enjoyment of this dish. Course #4: Brioche Doughnut with Aged Beef Au Jus (6/5) - This is the most popular dish at the restaurant, and was easily everyone's favorite at the table. Had one of us taken more than our allotted doughnut, we probably would have gotten into an old-fashioned sibling fistfight. I would easily pay $30 for a half-dozen box of these glorious pastries, and wish Smyth would sell these to-go like Molly's cupcakes one day. Hi Smyth... could you please do that? Course #5: Milk Chocolate, Raspberry, Shiitake & Kelp (5/5) - Just a little snack before the real dessert, and this had a strong mushroomy after-taste from the Shiitake sprinkles on top. Course #5: Egg Yolk Soaked in Salted Licorice with Frozen Yogurt Meringue (6/5) - I'm a huge fan of eggs. I think adding a fried egg on top of pretty much anything adds +1 to it (french fries, burgers, white rice, etc.), but I never thought about eating an egg yolk for dessert. It was cleverly presented with the perfect balance between sweet and savory. Cliff Notes Version: There is only one problem with Smyth: it raises the bar extremely high for any restaurant that will follow it. Ever since my previous roommate introduced me to the food-snob life, trying new restaurants has been an epic, five year, Lord of the Rings-style journey for me. There have been several ups and downs along the way, but I feel that once you try Smyth, it's like you've reached the end of the game. This was hands down the best $85 I've ever spent on an unforgettable two hour dining experience, so now I guess trying to find a place that can top Smyth (without severely digging into my checking account) will be the sequel to this game. read more
8 years ago
I really enjoyed this place! It was amazingly delicious food with an awesome vibe and great staff. This was definitely one of my most memorable dining experiences and each aspect of fine dining essentially culminated into an incredible experience. Food tasted amazing and the desserts seemed never-ending! It showed as one course for desserts but we probably ended up with 6 dishes. It was so much and we were so full, we got dessert sent home with us! I loved their attention to detail including the small touches like having a handwritten card from the staff. It was an incredible experience and definitely highly recommended! read more
8 years ago
Smyth blew me away. I chose Smyth for an anniversary after seeing everyone raving about it over the past year. I had high expectations from that and due to the 2 Michelin stars and the restaurant and staff immediately delivered. Our initial interaction with the host was great and the table had a Happy Anniversary card waiting for us, signed by the staff! They continued the great service by giving us a few champagne glasses on the house to go with the standard wine pairing! We had the 8 course tasting menu and all of the courses delivered. A lot of tasting menus are more presentation than actual good food, but Smyth struck the right taste to interesting balance. I won't spoil the whole menu, but the stand outside for me were the 'meatball' beets and cow tounge surprisingly! The desert was also exceptional. The wine pairing is essential to a good tasting menu in my mind, so I was happy to see that the wine kept up with the food. Each glass complimented the course very well and the sommelier explained the reasoning behind each glass thoroughly. I can't recommend Smyth enough and I hope to be back soon! read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
5 years ago
Overall the dishes are very creative. My favorite would be the age ribs, dungeness crab with fois gras and their house made chocolate with shiitake mushroom The rest are not bad. I find everything is over seasoned a little bit. I like their service and decor. read more
9 years ago
We've tried both Aliena and Grace so figured we would try out a few Michelin 2 star venues this visit to Chicago. Smyth did not disappoint. For the first time ever, we decided to bring along a guest to our chef's tasting meal - our 3 year old daughter! All I have to say is the Smyth team is AMAZING. They greeted us with open arms and even asked if they can go across the way and pick up some McDonalds for our little girl. They had me at "HappyMeal". We were seated at a cozy semi-circle booth with an amazing view of their open kitchen. I didn't realize it until after our meal that Chef Chris from Grace opened up Smyth. No wonder we enjoyed the food. He took really good care of us last time we went to Grace with our niece and her friend from Houston. So... my favorite dishes were the Dungeness Crab & Foie Gras, Beef Tongue w. Bone Marrow, and Brioche Donut w. Aged Beef Au Jus. I also did the wine paring and loved each pour. We were satisfied with our meal and impressed with the team and service. We will visit again once they earn that final star! read more
8 years ago
I chose Smyth for my Mother's 60th birthday celebration. We were blown away! From the very moment we walked through the doors, we were mesmerized. From the open kitchen to the friendly staff, everything was amazing! The food was well balanced and perfectly executed. The best part of the entire experience was the Staff. My mother and I have never tried a Micelin Star restaurant, much less a 2 Michelin Star, and to say we are glad to have chosen Smyth as our first is a tremendous understatement. If you have a chance, I would highly recommend trying this place! read more
Can't remember which prix fixe menu we tried... I think it might have been the classic? Which is not really a lot of food, so you might leave still a bit hungry like us. We came here in early February 2019, so I am sure their offerings have changed, but their menu was primarily vegetarian and fish. Not lot of meat dishes. Their portions are also quite small too. The taste and presentation of the food were all excellent though. Maybe next time we'll try for one of the pricier prix-fixe menus to see if there is a difference. Make sure to look through all their different prix-fixe offerings on their website, because they tend to have quite a few! Service was attentive and friendly. Be sure to grab a drink downstairs at Loyalist before/after your meal! Their cocktails were delicious. read more
4 years ago
8 years ago
We selected Smyth for our anniversary and couldn't have been happier! Everything was absolutely top notch from the moment we were greeted at the door until we left at the end of the evening. The wait staff was extremely attentive to us (although we weren't quite sure who was our main person, who was the wine person, etc). The food was over-the-top fantastic --in a good way - and just kept coming, course after course, after course. We couldn't agree which was our favorite because each one was as delicious as the next. There was so much food that we finally had to tell them to stop! The decor is simple yet super cool, and the owner came over and introduced himself while he served one of the courses which added a nice touch. Well done, Smyth! We will be back again and again! read more
More info about Smyth
177 N Ada St
Chicago, IL 60607
Near West Side, West Loop
Directions
(773) 913-3773
Call Now
Visit Website
https://www.smythchicago.com
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Ask the Community - Smyth
What is the difference between the smyth menu and the chef's menu?
Usually 5-6 courses. Basically, the Chef’s Menu is everything that the kitchen can produce.
Do you have a pre fix menu?
Yes, we do! Our Smyth menu is $325 and our Chef’s Menu is $425
Do you have pregnancy menu? My husband and I wanted to celebrate our 2 year anniversary here but I am pregnant and can't eat raw food.
Thank you for asking! We can definitely accommodate you. We handle such requests frequently and are able to navigate everyone’s particular proclivities. We look forward to celebrating with you!
Is there a chef's table experience with pairings for each course to enjoy here?
Yes
Do they have vegetarian options?
Hi Ashley, We do but it depends on the time of year and the menu in question. As of now, the Classic…
What is your preference in regard to children? My wife and well behaved 2 year old daughter will be visiting Chicago in April and we wanted to go to a nice dinner however we did not wish to offend ownership/management.
Wade, Thank you for asking. Quite considerate of you. We have had all ages of children dine with…
Valet parking available?
We have been working through an unforeseen challenge with the city and don’t currently have valet. There is street parking generally available on Ada as well as Randolph or Elske restaurant on the corner of Ada and Randolph has valet to offer.
What is their corkage fee?
Our corkage fee is $35 per bottle. We ask that you limit it to one 750ml bottle per couple. Thank you for asking!
What's the standard attire? I see "casual attire" so I'm guessing no jacket. But I'm also assuming it's not Applebee's level of "casual". Thanks!
Dear Zach, We have a "come-as-you-are" policy. That being said, many guests that come to dine with…
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