There were some highs and lows for me with this seafood heavy prix fixe menu. It was explained to us upon seating that we'd be surprised, and only given a menu at the completion of our meal, which I rather liked. However, in perusing the menu we were given upon leaving, I noticed that there weren't any descriptions, only a cursory heading, such as "truffle waffle". I would have liked a more descriptive permanent explanation of what I ate. Of the courses I liked, the first 7 and the 10th were delightful; imaginative without being overly fussy or precious, and truly delicious. These were mostly seafood dishes, and 3 were vegetable based. I won't highlight them all, but I have posted photos with the headings provided to me. My favorites were the Maine uni and horseradish, the lobster coral custard, the oyster and hibiscus and the butternut squash & sikil pak. I'd have been happy to skip the second half of the menu, which ranged from good but not particularly noteworthy to "no thanks". The aged duck was so rare as to be raw, which does nothing for the duck and makes it difficult to eat, as it's chewy and hard to cut into. My husband sent his back, but I declined, as I'd already eaten some of it, and I was no longer hungry enough to tackle a second go at it. The duck he was served the second time was only marginally more cooked, which tells me the chef believes he is right and the customer is wrong. King crab with hollandaise does not, in my opinion, qualify as ground breaking cuisine, and I was surprised to see something so prosaic on the menu. Was it good? Sure. Did it display a spark of culinary genius? Not since 1950. The desserts were overwrought and cutesy to the point of self consciousness, a point I'd have overlooked had any of them been delicious. Most of them had elements that were not subtle enough and showed a heavy hand with excessive sweetness and saltiness, in the case of the new potato and pecan ice cream and the fro-yo macaron especially. I prefer simple desserts that are expertly executed and make you want more. None of the 4 did that. Service is attentive and helpful. You won't get a wine list, which I found irritating. I believe I understand their thinking here; you'll be chatting with the Som and he or she will lead you to the correct choice, as they're the pros. Still, I am a little price conscious when it comes to unrestrained wine mark ups, and I had no idea how much we were being charged. Déclassé, I suppose, to even ask. The wine pour was strange; it wasn't 5 ounces, so not a full glass, but was more than the standard 2.5 ounce tasting pour. So when our server offered to "top off our wine glasses", we were both confused. Are we buying another not quite full glass of wine, or are you pouring the rest of what would have been a full glass? After going around a little bit with her, not to give her a hard time but because we were confused, we simply declined more wine. The space is lovely, simply decorated in calming neutrals. The message is that the food is center stage. It was cold in the restaurant when we sat down on a frigid January evening, and we spoke up and seemed to be heard, but nothing changed. I was cold throughout the meal. Some of you might question the 4 stars I've given this place after so much kvetching, but some of what I ate was truly exceptional. For this money, it should all be exceptional. read more

Hands down top 5 tasting menus Ive eaten at and I've definitely had my fair share. They recently got their 3rd michelin star and they DEFINITELY deserved it. Service was impeccable, pacing of the courses was perfect and the food itself was -chef's kiss-. They reminded me a lot of Brooklyn Fare who used to don stars themselves until recently but Smyth takes it to the next level and is daring with their flavor combinations. It works though. Im so glad we took the risk/jump and booked a last seating while we were on our short trip to Chicago because we would have missed out on quite an experience. It's about 13 courses with two of them having "double" dishes. Definitely make the reservation and come eat at Smyth! read more

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We went to restaurant... expecting a wonderful nicely paced meal, with a certain level of excellence. The food and wine parring were very good. The level of creating an above and beyond experience was not there. Staff knowledgeable but a little off putting from their interactions. At the end of the meal a card was presented of what we ate etc. I asked for a simple cup of coffee to digest my dinner and the experience and was told they do not serve coffee. When went leave noticed the bar and it had coffee... I was fine to sit there but was told I need a reservation. Sharing this I completely baffled that it gets it's ratings it does. Or is it that if you have clout in the rankings etc your treatment is different? At this price point especially I would except above and beyond for anyone . Great restaurants when given such a high honor should be that magical evening. Maybe they should watch The Bear for attitude lessons. read more

Overall good experience , very enjoy. Strange pace between dishes. Atmosphere was great. We had front side table next to the kitchen. Service was great. We read about experience about additional tip on top of that already 20% service fee. We weren't told that it didn't go to the staff , so we assumed it did. Maybe they got a lot of complaints about the tip issue . Food was amazing. we didn't like one dish which was the dessert , it tasted like black licorice and Chinese prune candy LOL. More like a 2 star than a 3 star Michelin. Was expecting more from a 3 star Michelin and for the price point . Wanted more main dishes. Didn't have beef , pork or chicken . Overall very good experience read more

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The food was wonderful and inventive. For me it was fully worth the price. The wait staff was friendly and the whole experience was unpretentious. The atmosphere is homey and the details down to the hand made serving ware were well thought out and beautiful. Some mention the 20% service cost: they did explain it at the end as covering health care and other living costs for the staff. Extra tip would go straight to the wait staff, but I didn't feel obliged or guilted into tipping another 15-20%, though I was happy to do so. read more

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Service was excellent, the Ambiance was almost too casual! Two food bloggers sat next to us in T-shirts and Shorts. Kinda took away from the experience. Food was an interesting mix of some reinvented classics to a lot of jelly's and similar textures with rather exotic ingredients. I found it to be 10 courses of Amuse Bouche and a couple of three bite dishes. Even after spending $$$$.$$ I was hungry. I guess if you want the experience you should try it, compared to the other 3 Michelin Star Restaurants in The US and one other in Chicago I would choose several of those over Smyth. I would return to Smyth if someone else was paying, but would have a Chicago dog before! read more

When going to Smyth tonight, I knew it would be a meal that I would remember for a long time. I knew this even before sitting down to enjoy it because I had a meal there several years ago and I still remember it today. This evening, I was actually trying to determine if I had built up the experience in my mind. Tonight, I confirmed that my memories were accurate and the meal served will be remembered for years, perhaps even decades. I've enjoyed French Laundry in CA, Per Se in NYC. I've had memorable meals at Alinea here in Chicago and even amazing meals at Joel Robuchon in Las Vegas and Table in DC. However, I find something super special at Smyth that is truly unparalleled. The creativity and the strive for perfection is beyond anything I've witnessed. The entire staff is committed to perfection and they all clearly enjoy their quest to achieve it. Tonight, I enjoyed the numerous creative dishes along with an informed narrative of each beverage and pairing to accompany the exceptional dishes. The staff was knowledgeable, interesting, and attentive to details that exceeded my greatest expectations. It's amazing to experience greatness. No different than the Olympics - anyone should be able to respect and take notice when people strive for greatness - and it's on full display at Smyth. I'm here for another night and I'm excited that I get to see greatness again tomorrow. I know the memories I will make will be sustained for a decade or more and even if the cost were five times more, it would be the best value I've got in a long time. read more

Smyth - Chilled oysters - a tiny taste but one that dazzles the senses! - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Had the chance to check out Smyth during my last trip to Chicago and loved it! The bold, balanced flavor combinations in this seafood-centric menu had my tastebuds dancing! The highlights: sunchoke cannoli, Maine uni (who knew the East Coast had uni?!), and beeswax sherbet! Also a fan of the cozy rustic-chic vibe they had going on with the decor--a warm welcome and escape from the cold Chicago winter! read more

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Came here to celebrate an occasion. The restaurant is beautiful and the vibe is excellent. I'd break down the food into two categories. 1. Savory - was excellent. My favorite being the lamb dish with the caviar doughnut on the side. 2. Sweet - was unacceptable. They didn't serve a single proper sweet dish - there was a palette cleanser, which was fine, and then a mixed dessert mess with beeswax and all, which was inedible, then they brought back some savory dessert-like dish, which killed the whole sweet mood, and they finished it off with something that was not memorable. Basically no dessert. At this price point, and with the two stars, this felt underwhelming. They didn't even have a parting sweet that they hand out on exit - almost all other establishments of this caliber do that. Would not recommend. read more

All I can say is WOW! Surely one of the top experiences of my life. I was invited to a private event here last week and learned the Smyth and The Loyalist is led by former Chef's from Charlie Trotters and Tru, two of my favorite places ever. The creativity, artistry, and exquisite flavors were mind blowing. But better yet, the service was impeccable. Each course was a learning experience, the servers and sommeliers always happy to share the details of what we were eating and drinking.All of this capped off by a caviar goody bag to take home! The attention to detail in every step of the evening was truly incredible.I cannot wait to go back. read more

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We have now been to Smyth twice, once in 2017 and in Jan 2024. Overall, this time we left feeling a bit disappointed and frankly, in some discomfort. Like with any restaurant where you are spending $1000 for two people, you expect excellence. On arrival, we sat unattended for over 25 minutes. As I was breaking my dry January I was gasping for a drink, but it took four or five attempts to finally flag someone down. From there the service was immaculate, but it was a really awkward first impression. The food - far too many of the dishes tasted too similar. I felt like I had gone swimming in the ocean with my mouth open by the end of the night - so many fishy, salty concoctions that whilst immaculately presented and interestingly described, all started to blend in to one. This made the non-salt water dishes really stand out - in particular the avocado was sensational as was the chamomile cloud dessert. Overall, both my wife and I struggled to finish some of the later dishes from the sea and left feeling pretty nauseous and over-salted. An establishment of this calibre should not be thrusting an awkward tipping situation on to its patron. Smyth applies an automatic 20% 'tip' on to your bill, but then the server reminds you that this is in fact not a tip but instead required to cover basic staff needs like healthcare etc and therefore any additional tip is actually a tip. The whole interaction was awkward and surreal - you are about to put your card down on a $1000 check to be told that if you want to tip you need to add a second tip. Do either - apply a service charge that covers all bases and say nothing, or don't apply the service charge let people tip, but dont try and do both. In summary, there is some incredible inventiveness and flavors in some of the dishes but for the most part the food was samey and disappointing. Service snafus and the whole service charge/tip situation further compounded the 'meh' experience. read more

Two Michelin stars, has to check it out Great service as expected Booked tasting menu (abbreviated version) online with $100 down per person Easy to get in for an early dinner on a weekday, there was only one other table there that early Nice West Loop location Service was prompt and friendly, the usual reciting of each ingredient Warm donut with cheese was fantastic Surprising hazelnut and crab meat dish with almond milk was delectable Interesting porridge with a previously extinct rice and quail egg and foie gras was a little heavy Last egg tart inspired dessert was delightful Overall great experience but worth $500? Probably not. read more

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Food was excellent, wine pairing was spot-on, service was great. Restaurant was spacious with lots of space between tables. Really worth it.

We went here to celebrate two of our friends birthday. Boy was this a treat. The place was modern, clean and well decorated. The food were amazing. Every dish was prepared to perfection. Service was amazing as well. read more

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First let me say I think we may have come on a bad menu night. Like I've seen some photos of other dishes and was a bit envious/disappointed that that dish wasn't served. As a whole I thought Smyth was underwhelming. There were a couple really good dishes (my husband loved the crab, I really thought the porridge and foie gras was outstanding), but then there were dishes that were uninspired and lackluster (a round of squash with a lump of caviar on top). As a whole there didn't seem to be enough of a progression in the menu --mostly light, minimal, delicate...I believe there was 1 dish that required a fork and knife most of the meal could be eaten with a spoon. This is the first time I had a wine pairing that featured only 1 red wine. The desserts they were fine, nothing exciting. Not sure if they have a legit pastry chef in the kitchen...like why caviar and chocolate: the mousse was good why ruin it with chocolate coated caviar. Was hoping to end the meal on a high note but still flat line. We dined at Ever just a couple weeks before and expected similar caliber of creativity and this just was again underwhelming. There are clearly capable chefs in the kitchen, nothing we ate was bad, but whoever oversees the menu didn't consider the meal as a whole. We came on a random Thursday, not for a special occasion, and I'm glad because this didn't feel special. This just wasn't soul satisfying, or exciting....it was fine, pleasant. Staff and service were great. The atmosphere a little more chill and casual, but still stylish. Give yourself an extra 15-20min if you're driving, parking was awful. read more

My boyfriend generously treated me to a dinner here when I first visited Chicago last October, and I regret not taking a picture of the menu to better recall the names of the delicious dishes I had! The service here was incredible as soon as we walked in. The staff made sure to grab our coats and guide us to our candle-lit dinner. They thoroughly explained each dish before we tried them, and I was especially impressed by the foie grais dish -- it was so delicate and deep in flavor. We also thought the milk bun dessert dish was SO tasty that we wanted to take more home. It's obviously a pretty pricey meal but I was so grateful that I could experience my first two Michelin star restaurant at Smyth. read more

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Overall, a very unique, tasty experience but will preface that this meal was EXTREMELY expensive, (which would honestly be my only con). The space is an open concept restaurant, where you can see the kitchen and staff preparing your meal and be able to see every corner of the restaurant from any table, which gave the space an intimate vibe. Right off the bat, the staff were extremely friendly and attentive and immediately offered to take your coat when you entered. Once seated, I was shocked at the speed of service. Even though the experience was a 2.5 hour dining experience, there was never a time where we felt like we were waiting or just killing time. What was most interesting was that every member of their staff stopped by our table to serve a different course/portion of our meal! Food wise, every bite was very tasty and a textural experience. Pictures don't do it justice because you can't see half of the food/ingredients by picture, but there were flavors that I never thought would work, that worked! Some of our favorites was their cold+warm caviar, their lobster and raspberry dish, and their foie gras with seaweed. We also split a wine pairing, which I highly recommend to get the whole experience. They truly do a terrific job matching the flavor palettes of their wines with their food. In the end, we ended up spending close to $1000 for 2 people + 1 wine pairing (including a 20% service charge and additional tip). I don't know if I would say that everything was worth the price that we paid, but I will say that we enjoyed every second of the experience, and highly recommend checking this place out if you have the chance! read more

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2022 chicago. tasting menu. black truffle & sweet pea tartlet summer squash, chamomile & togarashi pepper (highlight) lobster coral & hazelnut custard lobster claw & raspberry leather lobster consomme & berry ceviche chilled california avocado, pistachio & sea lettuce lobster tail warmed with almond milk & newly pressed walnut oil foie gras, barbecued avocado & blade kelp slow roasted lamb saddle, porcini & bitter greens (best) pleasant ridge reserve cheese & caviar doughnut lime leaf, pine & sheets of ice strawberry & nasturtium honey pot preserved egg yolk tartlet, marigold & jasmine (highlight) barley mousse, burnt chocolate & caviar (highlight) black walnut & venison consomme with 8 year japanese whisky bonus pic - foie gras éclair from bar downstairs overall, amazing. "as good as it gets." read more

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On our last visit to Chicago, we ate at Alinea, and it blew us away. This time, we decided to try Smyth. The food, service, and atmosphere were excellent, and the dishes were creative and artistic. However, the wine pairings were just ordinary, and seemed way overpriced to me. The price / value in general is why I only gave the restaurant 2 stars. At a lower price, it would have been 5 stars. However, our feeling was that the food did not quite justify the high price. And one last thing that annoyed me was when we got the bill. It was a fixed price meal, so I didn't really look over the check when I gave them my credit card, but I thought I noticed that there was a 20% service charge included. When I got my credit card slip to sign, there was a place to add a tip, and it did not mention that a service charge was already added. I stopped a server to ask if the tip was already included, and he said something about there being some charge to pay for their health insurance or something like that, but that no tip was included. I know that restaurants are a tough industry, and the workers in general are not as well paid as they probably should be. But adding a 20% service charge (over $200 for the two of us) and then telling me that this was not a tip left a bad taste in my mouth. read more

An exquisite culinary experience, albeit at a price. Smyth has the ambience of a hip bistro, with none of the quiet stuffiness one usually finds at high-end prix fixe gourmet restaurants. There is a open kitchen and spare modern wooden furnishings, and the diners were - present company excluded - beautiful 20- and 30-somethings of whom we wondered how they could afford the place. Service was attentive without being cloying, and the staff was very knowledgeable about the food and wine and flawless in their presentations. The food was, quite simply, spectacular, course after course after course. We have been to the old Charlie Trotter's, Alinea, Oriole, and Grace in Chicago, Taillevent in Paris, and the French Laundry in Napa. But the food at Smyth topped them all. Although it's billed as inspired by the food of Smyth County, Virginia, the night we were there was dominated by delicious seafood courses - mussels, crab, lobster, hot and cold caviar, and so on. The only course we didn't love was venison; the sauce was delicious, but venison inevitably has a gamey taste that overwhelms any sauce. When I'd previously eaten here, this course was beef, which was better. Although it's pricey, I'd definitely recommend the wine pairing. From wonderful whites to robust reds to superb sakes to shambolicious sherries, the wines added to the experience. read more

Smyth - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Really special place. Glad I saved this meal for a friend who truly appreciated it. It made it so much mire memorable. Only notable comment from me is that it was surprisingly seafood forward. I was expecting "elevated hillbilly" and it was nothing like that at all. Also, I have a big appetite. Despite all the courses, I was left wishing I had eaten a Loyalist burger first. read more

Absolutely fabulous. The best meal we have ever had. My daughter and I were in Chicago on a mother-daughter weekend and went to Smyth - it was incredible. The food taste and texture, presentation, service and attentiveness of staff were amazing. We have been to outstanding restaurants all over the world and none compare with the quality of Smyth. Strongly recommend it! read more

I give the highest compliments for the level of service and care from the GM, Chris. He went above and beyond and I highly recommend Smyth for a great meal and great service! read more

A nice tasting menu at a 2 star Michelin spot! The food is very seafood forward, but it's not just a bunch of pieces of fish which is what some would do. It's a creative mix of textures and types of seafood (lobster, fish, caviar, uni, etc)! A highlight for me was the uni- I loved how light and fresh it was! Another was the hot and cold caviar- you get a ton of caviar! I'm not a big meat person, so not all of the meats were my favorite. I did substitute venison for a beet dish which was nice. I enjoyed that the substitutions were made to match my friends versus being completely different so that we could compare. There are certain differences between 1 and 3 star. Small but picky, they don't walk you to the restroom vs they do at a three star. They do have better dish and flavor explanations than one stars. The staff seems generally more attuned to patrons than one stars. They do bring a dish still even if a guest is in the restroom, which they do not do at a 3 star. It is a pretty expensive tasting menu for a two star, but it is worth trying. We did add on the burger at the end. read more

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I've never been quite so hungry after a $250 meal. My husband and I went to Smyth on a recent visit to Chicago, and while the ambiance was lovely and most of the food was good to great, the complete lack of carbs and the incredibly small portions left much to be desired. I included all but maybe one of the dishes we received in photos below. Everything was either one large bite or two small bites at most. It's a lot of fish which as a pescatarian was fine by me, but the one time my husband got meat (a venison steak) I got a beet -_-. I would expect to get a piece of fish at least, but it was just a whole red beet with mushrooms that I didn't enjoy at all on the side. I left them on my plate but no one asked about whether I liked it when they took the plate. No one asked if we were enjoying our food at all really, except for one time about a minute after they dropped off our first course. This was somewhat sad since people were always hovering near (pushing in chairs, refilling water). We got a wine pairing and there were two odd additions (sake and sherry). Neither my husband nor I likes Sherry, and I mentioned to one of the waiters that we don't love sherry, but she just said something about how it can be an acquired taste. She didn't offer to bring us something else, even though sherry is an odd addition to a pairing, especially since it wasn't served with a dessert but with a savory course. My husband likes sake so that was fine. But it was just weird that they served sake with a wine pairing. By the time our desserts started coming out I was so hungry that I just wanted the mela to be over so I could find something else to eat (places close so early in Chicago!) That was a sad feeling given the price we were paying. If you don't mind paying a lot for a really small amount of food (maybe pre-eat or plan to pick something else up after) then Smyth might be a good option for you. Most of the small bites were great and they definitely use high quality ingredients. But If you, like me, expect to be if not full than at least not hungry after dropping upwards of $200, then you might want to look elsewhere. read more

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Let me start out by saying this is an expensive meal. You pay for the experience, quality, and customer service. As soon as you walk in you are taken care of. The service is impeccable. There's a good chance you will be trying something you have never had before. It's a big adventure. The fresh seafood was awesome. The foie gras was good. The Caviar was by far my favorite savory course. It was salty, creamy... I don't think I had really had caviar before here besides as a garnish. They really made it shine. The eel was also very good and another item I do not regularly order myself. They get their eels from a very special place in Maine. They are the only eel farm in the United States. The desserts were different. I think the honey pot was my favorite. Lots of components and textures. Overall great set of courses. If I could give 3.5 stars, I would. Was I hungry after the meal? Certainly not. Could this menu of used more starch/grains, absolutely! Was it mostly seafood, yes. Which did not effect me at the slightest but my friend that came doesn't really eat seafood so it was a bit of a miss for her. She did get to experience a lot of seafood at this meal and actually loved the caviar. I just wish it would of been a bit more well rounded. As I said before it is a very expensive meal and for me to feel like it was missing something isn't great. My recommendation: if you have $300 to spend on a high quality meal/experience, go for it. As I said in the beginning, this is an adventure with food like no other. The quality is there and so is the service. But if you are on a budget and just wanting to go somewhere with delicious food, go to Girl and the Goat. read more

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We were on a quest to check off all of the Michelin starred restaurants in Chicago and this was the biggest disappointment. First off the service was horrible, sarcastic and rude. It did not meet the fine dining experience, when you are paying this much for a fine meal you expect the servers to play the part. Their descriptions lagged. Now to the food- after the fourth course I was very sick. Mainly because the courses did not pair well. Everything lacked substance and I just needed a carb or meat in my body as the first few dishes were like dessert and fruit. I was begging for a steak or carb that did not contain sugar by the 5th course. How this chef holds not one but TWO Michelin stars is beyond me. The quality of the food was horrible as nothing was fresh or unique. This restaurant questioned my faith in the Michelin guide and if you are reading this I advise you to check out Acadia or Oriole before booking Smyth. read more

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The food itself requires a certain taste that is not my own. Although it was certainly good, I guess it just didn't mesh well with my palate. Food: Although most of the dishes were created very well, it just didn't exactly match up with my palate very well. I found the lamb dish a bit too "gamey". I also expected for there to be preparation of more exotic items (kobe, truffle, uni, etc). Although I can see the creativity of the chef in each of the dishes, I just didn't love the taste. For example, I found the more rare duck liver to be a bit difficult to swallow and many of the dishes to be a bit too simple. Service: Great service. Although compared perhaps to some of the restaurants in the price point or the in the same Michelin star level, the attention to detail could feel a tiny bit lacking. That is to say it's satisfactory service, but perhaps not quite at the 2 star level. Atmosphere: it's going for more of a rustic country tavern type of vibe. With an open kitchen, you can directly see the chefs cooking. A very different vibe that I appreciated, but it didn't have the elegance you'd expect. read more

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Worth 3 Michelin Star! Try to be on time for the best experience! We were a little late but the staff tried their best to accommodate us! The food was excellent! The restaurant was very busy and the staff moving around the guests felt a bit chaotic, regardless we have had enjoyed our experience. read more

Smyth - Desserts - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Went here last June for an anniversary dinner. Service and food were impeccable. Great experience for our first time dining there. Wish we lived closer! read more

The food is ok, but the service was great. Well, you kinda expect the service quality to be good when dining in a Michelin star restaurant. However, everything there was definitely not worth the money. It is $285 per person with a 20% service charge. What confused me was that the 20% service charge was not considered gratuity, and we were reminded that the tip was separately. I mean I was confused with all these charges not talking about the food was overpriced already. read more

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Everything was good, just some wow factor missing for this high caliber type of restaurant. The staff were attentive but the ambiance was almost too cold and gave a tense feeling. The food was great! read more

These were some of the most unique flavors I've ever tasted! There were many courses although eat course was fairly small. Left feeling just the right amount of full. I was surprised with how much caviar was given. That and the foie gras were some of my favorite dishes! The foie gras was cooked which was very unusual but actually tasted wonderful with the Asian flavors of the sauce and kelp. There was a lovely ambiance and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience there! read more

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Did a 12 course w wine tasting. An absolutely incredible service and dining experience. 5+ stars

Where do I start? Absolutely love this place. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. I'm in awe of the talent and sophistication that went into our meal. Absolutely 5 stars Thank You so much for the time and talents. read more

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Previously visited in July of 2018, the best meal in a year that also included Central, Faviken and Frantzen, expectations entering Smyth amidst a global pandemic were measured, yet from the moment reservations were made until exit the Shields' and staff proved precisely why their Restaurant at 177 North Ada Street is a destination like no other. Named after the county in Virginia where Town House still stands, and the ideas developed inside those walls, Smyth espouses true "farm to table cooking" without conventional boundaries, a "come as you are" dress policy currently paired to socially distanced seating that makes guests feel more than just safe, but instead truly welcome. Led from foyer to table past a kitchen crew of at least eleven, The Rolling Stones' "19th Nervous Breakdown" fading into "Careless Whisper," it was at the suggestion of GM Christopher Gerber that a special menu was proposed, an easy decision that saw the night begin with vibrant Tea further brightened by Herbs and Flowers. Working closely with Rebecca Papineau's The Farm to assure continued access to the sort of ingredients the Shieldses became accustomed to in Chilhowie, a majority of Smyth's Produce brought in daily from those twenty acres an hour south, follow-up bites included Caramelized Eggplant served in a Shiso "Cone" and fresh Uni striking an unlikely balance between Mint and Hot Sauce. Beholden to no rules beyond the ones John and Karen create, a mound of Caviar plated alongside Green Almonds and Cream developing slowly with a buttery-sweet finish, Tomatoes were again featured amidst Citrus as "Ceviche" before delving into meaty grilled Fish followed by a sliced Melon chaser. Cleaning fingers with Lemon-scented towels, a bottle of Sanitizer on every table while all staff donned appropriate PPE, guests were next offered a preview of autumn via Butternut Squash cooked with Pork before backtracking to summer in a dish of Strawberries, Lobster and a hint of Horseradish. Heavier henceforth, though not without a bevy of nuance, Eel cooked over the embers arrived afloat in unctuous Broth before savories came to a close with tender Short Rib, umami-infused Tomatoes and a delicate piece of fried Bread to soak up all the Sauce. Turning the program over too Karen Urie Shields and her Pastry team from here, sweets began with Seaweed Ice Cream beneath shards of Chocolate and the same Habanada Peppers used earlier to spice Uni, a palate "shocker" more than cleanser soon followed by Sunflower Panna Cotta, Peach Granita and additional textural elements. Served in just over two hours, a fine pace in line with current practices throughout Chicago, four more bites arrived along with a thank you from Mr. Gerber, each Tart delicate and well-crafted while Lavender-scented Grapes plus the "Pine Crunch" Bar further exemplified Smyth's rare ability to use otherwise potent flavors subtly. read more

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After doing the On The Line take out here, I am definitely doing a sit down meal here, if it's the only nice meal I can have this year in Chicago. The food was SO good. Sounds like I'm stating the obvious, but actually many times the steep price tag of a tasting menu does not fully translate to the most memorably delicious food. It's often the full package (service, atmosphere, wines, etc) that makes the $$$ worth it. More than a couple of times I've found the food to be perfect in execution yet ultimately not that eye-openingly special. The food we had was actually phenomenal, all 4 savory courses (dessert was kind of a throwaway but it's ok). Being able to dip a finger into each component and sample them individually really added to my appreciation for how it all comes together into something so much greater than the sum of their parts. All the dishes were bolder than I expect of fine dining restaurants tbh. Perfectly balanced and with quality ingredients, of course, but also bursting with umami and bright hits of acidity. THE EXPERIENCE: The cook-at-home thing was a ton of fun for us, but unless a third party is at home cooking/assembling for you, this is not a sit-down meal. It's a whole different thing. We spent the evening standing/sitting on bar stools in the kitchen. But that's what makes it fun! There is a lot more cooking than I expected. Unlike Alinea's at home series last summer, which was more of an adapted casual experience, this is pretty aptly named "on the line" bc it really feels like 4 dishes you'd receive at the restaurant and they just chose ones that happen to be easily done well at home. I do think it's not really meant for people who aren't comfortable cooking? The instructions are not nearly as "idiot-proof" in a lot of ways; as someone who used to write idiot-proof recipes I saw some potential pitfalls. Also, the the last savory course, short ribs with rice porridge, involved 4 pots: water bath, reheating glaze, searing meat, cooking porridge. However, if you do regularly cook at home, it should be a rewarding and memorable experience! Not sure if they will continue this series, but I really love it and hope it can stay after COVID alongside the full dine-in experience. read more

A remarkable dinner at Smyth from service to food to ambiance. It's upscale, but supremely comfortable - that's a description of the place and the people. Everyone serving is dressed in denim aprons and while I don't typically like "we all wait on you" serving, this was seamless. Knowledgeable and well timed, attentive, but not intrusive. We had the smaller tasting menu and I'll be back for the bigger. The food is interesting without being odd and they pair flavors in combinations you haven't had before in delicious ways. The yolk, meringue, licorice is a standout example. The wine and cocktails are equally excellent. I'm purposely not describing each course as many have already, but I'll say it's rare to enjoy every single course during a tasting menu and this was the case at Smyth. Valet seemed to be missing, but we found free street parking. We also had an abrupt welcome by the hostess, but she was the one small minus in a great evening. Well deserved two Michelin stars. read more

Smyth - Card signed by staff to greet us. I saw them on every table - not just special occasions - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I recently came across an article about Smyth being the new restaurant in town with its Michelin stars and was excited to visited this place. Based on the reviews there was much hype about it and the Chef who came up with it had done some great work in the past. Made reservations for an 18 course dinner midweek which we attended last night. The restaurants I visit are usually reviewed based on food first and foremost but hospitality is definitely an important part of it. The food overall at Smyth was disappointing. In my opinion just putting an expensive price tag on the menu and throwing some different flavors and condiments doesn't make it delicious. Out of the 18 tasting we were impressed only by 5 and everything else felt like had lost its flavor in an attempt to do too much. I expected a dance with flavors and exquisite exposure to my palate but all I was left with at the end of night was an underwhelming experience and no amalgam of flavors to savor. Desserts were better compared to the rest but still easily below average. As far as hospitality goes - Brittany went above and beyond and Steven was wonderful but seemed very rushed. A couple of times the server felt pretentious , borderline rude and always rushed. They were on their way before even answering the questions or explaining what was being served. I have dined in five continents over the last years , experienced places like EMP, Alinea, Next, Oriole, Hyotei, and Fat Duck so it gives me some perspective of what to expect but for north of 700$ this place didn't live up to expectations for both hospitality and food. There are some good reviews out there and the thing about food is " we all have a unique palate " :) read more

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We went to this restaurant right after they have received their third Michelin star and without a doubt they have earned it. The atmosphere is casual dressed, very comfortable but high class service. The tasting menu had a bit of a Japanese flair and everybody was absolutely delicious read more