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I really wanted to like this place, as it's a truly beautiful space. Super chic and spacious. We came here for a group brunch right when they opened and it was kind of a mess from the moment we sat down. Booth was super cramped for our party of 6, water glasses were dirty, sparkling water was flat. Our waitress was super super kind, but boy was service slow. Our oysters came out before our drinks did. The coffee was so bitter and did not taste good in my opinion. The oysters and the crispy breakfast potatoes were the best part of the meal. I ordered the Benedict Johnny as my main, but the cornbread was so dry I did not enjoy it. They did have a kids menu and the french toast was super yummy. I wish the kids meal came with some bacon or fruit or something other than just the french toast. I had to order all that on the side. Overall, food was OK, service was friendly, but very very slow. It wasn't even busy when we came in at opening time.
We made a last minute reservation for The Smith on a Friday night and so glad we did! It was in walking distance from our hotel, beautiful ambiance, outdoor seating, large menu, kind staff, what more can you ask for! One thing that stood out to me was their care and consideration for my allergy. They not only noted it to the kitchen, but the manager had come over to explain they would put red flags in every item that was safe to eat (which was everything). I thought this was so kind and took the service to the next level. We all enjoyed our food and the views! I would have to say the bar steak was my favorite, the burger was delicious too and i'm not even a big burger gal. We left full and satisfied with our experience here and would be happy to come back!
Sat at the bar which was fine for one but if you have more a table is probably a better option for service and dish clearing. Enjoyed the happy hour options and got a salt and vinegar martini - which was very unique, a half dozen oysters which were very good and lastly the spicy tuna tartar that was spot on. Good ambiance and has a little something for everyone.
I was on my friend's bachelorette trip to the city, and we came for dinner. To start, we decided to just enjoy the complimentary bread and butter, which we enjoyed. For my entree, I decided to try something new and so I got the short rib mafaldine. It was very good, and I would order it again. The cosmo was also great! As for service, our server was very kind and accommodating to dietary needs. That being said, service was a bit slow. Overall, I really enjoyed this restaurant!
Best mac and cheese I've ever had!! The rest of the food was also wonderful. The parmesan truffle fries are a must order. The service was alright. Got a little slow at times but overall, it was good. The food came out quick for a Saturday afternoon. The location is amazing, close to the river. The restaurant is bigger than I expected it to be so it was no problem getting seated without a reservation.
Oysters flown in daily, elegant American style cuisine and ambiance, polite and informative service, and the eggs alla vodka was a first time try for me, it was spectacular. Thank you The Smith team!!! Our waitress was wonderful.
Fantastic food, service, and ambiance! We went for a birthday dinner. Having been to The Smith in New York, we assumed this would be the same. But their Chicago location has its own feel. Our server was excellent. He explained the menu and listened carefully to food allergies at the table. They are very sensitive to food allergies. The manager is required to stop by the table to verify what is needed, and to ensure the kitchen paid attention to the instructions, any food for someone with allergies is labeled with a red flag. The food was great. We started with an order of Brussel sprouts and some oysters. (The oysters were from me. I'm not a lover of Brussel sprouts.) They had several types of oysters to choose from. I asked the server what his favorite was and he said it was their special - an oyster from Virginia called "Chuck-cago." They were outstanding. For our meals we had a variety of things. Everyone was pleased with their entrees but other than presentation I can only speak to the bar steak. The bar steak is a flat iron steak which came our medium rare. I had it with the chimichurri sauce. It's served with sauteed spinach and fries (pomme frites). I also had their old fashioned. They use walnut bitters which gives the old fashioned a little different taste. There are two things that could be improved: (1) the chopped salad is colorless. They have apples in the salad - I suggest that they keep the skins on so the salad isn't just a pale green. (2) it is very loud, so much so, it was hard to hear people talking at our table. Regardless of those two items, our experience was wonderful and we do plan to visit again.
I had dinner at this place and enjoyed it. The menu was arranged before the group arrived. I love this because I get to sample far more on the menu than if I were to attend with my spouse or friend. The meal began with burrata. I love this cheese and know that it can swing in presentation from very watery to dry. This seemed to hit the perfect middle. Light flavor, not too watery or dry, and dressed with a bit of pesto and accompanied by garlic bread that was fantastic. The Caesar salad was good. Crunchy parmesan, which is always a nice treat on a Caesar salad, is enough to make me want to not share this family-style dinner. The dressing was near pefect, but given family style servings, seemed to not be enough for me. The roasted fingerling potatoes were divine. They were prepared with a lemon aioli, chile crisp, and topped with scallions. This was so good that we asked for another serving. Roasted brussels sprouts resting on an avocado base and pink peppercorns. They were nicely prepared and glad that others at the table did not care for Brussels sprouts. That left more for me. The Rigatoni alla vodka with delicious stracciatella cheese was a wonderful touch, and I was thinking about having that as a separate dish for dinner alone. Now, I am not a fan of poached salmon, but typically, the broth used to poach the salmon seems to be no more than salt, pepper, and sometimes, rosemary. I had instant regret once I tasted it, and it reminded me why I only pan-sear or grill salmon. One thing I loved about some of the places I ate in Chicago was the style of the steakhouse.
I love the Caesar Salad with Salmon here. I recommend it to all my friends. I was pleasantly surprised to have gone recently and saw Crispy Rice Spicy Tuna on the menu. Always a good time here and great service
(Kari's rating 6/10) Came here for a quick bite and I've been to the Smith a few times before, but this was the first time I'd come in for brunch. The servers were really sweet, they checked in relatively often and gave us both sparkling and still water. She was relatively attentive and checked in the perfect amount. The bloody Mary was OK, a little bit fishy, not very spicy and came with a pepperoncini and an olive. The breakfast sandwich was next which came with an egg, almost like a hollandaise sauce on a brioche bun. The bun was very light and fluffy, a little bit sweet and overall pretty delicious. As someone who lives not too far from the Smith, I wouldn't necessarily come out of my way to come here, but it was a nice upscale brunch place.
This has to be one of the top burgers I've ever tried. Period. Although on the pricier side, the burger is filling and even comes with a side of delicious, perfectly salted, crispy fries. I get mine in medium rare and the burger melts in your mouth. I think the couple times I went, it is on the juicier side (this is no where a dry burger)! The Smiths is one of the places I recommend my friends if they're looking for a good burger spot. This place never disappoints. Service was amazing and attentive which is always a plus. The vibes were really chill and casual!
Our server, Aaron, took wonderful care of us at Brunch today. His suggestion to share French Toast as an appetizer was genius- tasted like eating dessert first. My friend described it as "divine". We both got the shrimp and grits. YUM! Love the texture of the potato strings on top. Delicious coffee and cocktails. Just perfect!
I want to start off by saying the food from this place was absolutely delicious. We each had a bite of the other dishes ordered and I can confidently say they all were amazing. I had the shrimp scampi and it literally melted in your mouth with a crunch from the toasted bread crumbs which was an excellent touch. A tad on the pricer side for the portions but maybe I am just a hungry gal. The drinks were also a bit pricey for the small size but hey it's Chicago. They have a cute photo booth downstairs that gives six poses which was a great addition to this place. One thing I will say is that when I read this place was quite loud I didn't realize it was as loud as a busy bar. It was extremely hard to hear my friends and we would have to lean it close to hear what we were saying. If you're looking to catch up with some friends this might not be the best place. I also want to mention that this was my birthday celebration and saw that the table next to us had a small cake with a candle but our server never had any birthday treat. Not too mad just a little salty as she kept ushering us to get a dessert and I thought this was because of the birthday and was a complementary but it was included in the final bill.
5 months ago
3 years ago
This place had been hyped up to me so much I guess I just expected more. The ambience was okay, but felt a bit packed in. The bathrooms were gross. Toilet paper was out in 2 stalls. That's a pretty big deal to me. The seafood platter that I got for the table was OK. I got the middle sized one and it was pretty meager quantity on a very large serving tray tower. It was aesthetically not appealing and made me feel like it was not worth the $$$. The chicken I got was fantastic. I mean, really delightful and I would get it again in a heartbeat. The s'mores jar dessert was too sweet. It maybe needed something salty and something crunchier and maybe a dark chocolate element. But it was beautiful. I'll probably bring clients back again because people seem to like it, but I think there are nicer restaurants downtown at a better price, personally. read more
Came in here to grab a drink before dinner. The decor was very nice. Their service in the bar area seemed like a free for all. My partner was grabbing drinks at the bar, but 3 people asked me if I wanted a drink so our area didn't have a specific assigned server. The drinks were pretty weak and too froo froo for my taste. Probably wouldn't return. read more
2 years ago
The oysters were really good. I tried each one and then ordered more based on my flavor preference. The bread was fantastic, as was the butter. I really enjoyed the classic vibe of the restaurant - even the bathrooms were on par. My waitress was so sweet and very attentive but not annoying. read more
This is a hip place with some great veggie options! RSVP'd for a group of 16 for my sister's bachelorette party. Given the large size of the group their service was really good and fast! They had a bunch of awesome looking options. I went for the cauliflower tacos with no pineapple. They brought the tortillas out separately then I got to set up the little tacos. The veggies were so fresh and flavorful, loved the salsa. The meal had a hint of spice without it being overly spicy. My sister got the bibimbap and loved it! A lot of the girls got pasta dishes and enjoyed them. It was a bit noisy in here, but it was a Friday night so it makes sense. Cool, dark ambiance here. Pretty expensive but it is a nicer place. Glad I got to try it! read more
This Thanksgiving we decided to stay out of the kitchen and let the experts cook for us. We went to this brasserie in the city which had a special menu. They tried to seat us downstairs but (un)fortunately the elevator was not working and one of our guests had a mobility problem so they seated us upstairs. We shared some of the chips with a blue cheese sauce, which was delicious and the blistered shishito peppers. There was something for all of us (even the picky ones). I selected the kale salad which was diced very thin, and it was green and aromatic and delicious. I could eat this salad every day! The short rib was melt-in-your-mouth tender and with a rich and flavorful gravy. It was outstanding. I had a bread pudding for dessert -- it could have been moister. This was a very nice meal -- our party was pleased with their choices (a lot of short ribs, salmon, turkey pot pie) -- and the service was very friendly and professional. I think the short rib is a mainstay on the menu -- I would definitely come back and order it again. Lots of other menu items looked very promising. The Smith -- kind of a forgettable name for a brasserie, but the food was great and it made for a very memorable Thanksgiving meal! read more
I came here on a Saturday at 8:00, so it was pretty busy. Thankfully, I had a reservation, so we were seated right away. We decided to eat outside since it was still nice out, and they had heaters for when it would inevitably get chilly. Food: 1. Squid ink tagliatelle with shrimp: This dish was bursting with flavor and was cooked to perfection! I seriously wanted more of it. 2. Pot of Mussels: Thankfully, most of the mussels given were open (please do not eat unopened mussels as it is not safe!) so there was plenty to eat. It was cooked perfectly, and that sauce was to die for. This dish came with fries, and we dipped some of them in that sauce. Def recommend doing the same if you order this dish! Drinks: I ordered the Cucumber Loco. I highly recommend this drink if you want something that is simple and refreshing. Our server was really sweet and truly knew his stuff. He truly added onto our great experience. This is a great restaurant to go to for a nice night out! read more
2 years ago
Visiting from out of town and was suggested this place by a family member and I'm so glad I came! It's a beautifully lit environment with plenty of tables and stools at the bar. The service was great, I had the pleasure of having Erin as my server he was very attentive and friendly. My friend and I shared a sandwich and salad and were full. The sandwich and salad itself were delicious but the fries and homemade ketchup was AMAZING!!! read more
Great burger and bartender Victor was nice. I enjoyed the "All Day Spritz" non-alcoholic drink. Fries could use a touch of seasoning. No TVs, but a nice atmosphere, though there were some very rowdy groups cheering for whatever reason. I'd certainly come back to try more of the drink and food selection. read more
1 year ago
Came here with a friend who was visiting town and we had a feast. Started with oysters from Wellfleet (my favorite) and ended with the sticky toffee dessert. Food was fantastic. Get the grits! I will definitely go back for brunch and want to also go back to try their dinner options. Service was impeccable. Rachel, our server, was friendly and attentive but not instructive. The best kind service in my opinion. My friend has a food allergy and in addition to being asked by the server, the manager came over to ask some more questions. Food came with little flags to indicate what was safe for them to eat. Definitely putting this place on my restaurant rotation. read more
Brunch Review: I had passed this place a million times over the last couple of years, but had never had a chance to go until earlier this month. I was looking for a restaurant in the River North area to host a large group of friends on a Saturday afternoon and this restaurant had reservations available. I like that the brunch entrees include 1 alcoholic cocktail or juice. They have a great choice of cocktails to pick from. I ordered the Good as Gold cocktail (bourbon, maple, ginger, lemon). This was a big hit with my table. Many of my friends ended up ordering this cocktail as their second cocktail of the afternoon. This cocktail is both boozy and refreshing. I ordered the Benedict Johnny as my main brunch dish. Eggs Benedict is typically served on an English Muffin, but they use cornbread instead. I liked this take on the Eggs Benedict. read more
Came here with coworkers and it was around 3 pm and was not that busy inside. The interior of the place was very calm and nice. It looked like they had a back area that they were opening up around the time we were leaving. I had a Matcha lemonade. It was really good since I wasn't drinking at the time. I am vegan, so it was limited options for me but my coworkers had a lot of food and they all said it was pretty good... The soba noodles that I had was OK. It was cold and I don't really care for cold food very tasty so I got fries too just in case I didn't like the actual meal... their bathroom was nice and clean. You did have to walk down the steps though to get to the bathroom so I was wondering if it was like an elevator I didn't ask about it, but I just thought for accessibility reasons it'll be nice to see if there's an elevator. The staff was nice. They did take a while to service us, but I think my coworkers were pretty indecisive what they want so they was giving us time to choose from stuff but got her food. It was pretty much smooth after that. Also, my coworkers got drinks and their drinks did look really good so I'll probably come back here just to go to the bar. read more
Such a cozy restaurant among so many good ones in downtown Chicago. I came on a trip and ate here with some friends. The salmon dish I got was delicious. Fresh, flakey, nicely presented. They have a nice bar, even though I didn't partake. I'll visit again. read more
2 years ago
Very good service and ambiance! The waitress was very nice. Food was alright-- I got the salmon which was okay. The calamari was very good though! The shrimp tagliatelle that my friend got was quite good though! Fries were good too :) read more
I've lived hehe for years yet haven't visited the Smith. Unluckily for me, I've been missing out because this place is so good. First thing you notice when you walk in, the dining area is huge. They have a massive bar serving tons of different types of alcohol on their shelves. The food selection isn't vast but the quality of food is great. We went there for brunch and the brunch entrees include an alcohol beverage as part of the meal. I tried the Benedict Johnny. It was 2 eggs Benedict on top of 2 chicken patties and all on top of corn bread. It was so good. For dessert, we shared the s'mores dish which was so good and the toffee pudding which was so moist. I would highly recommend this place and definitely will be going back read more
2 years ago
Ok, the filet and eggs here are what brunch dreams are made of. The steak is like butter in your mouth and the seasoned potatoes are delicious, not to mention the perfectly cooked egg all in one bite makes you feel like you're floating in the air. Try it, you won't be disappointed. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
The Smith is an incredible place to visit if you are looking for a place that has great cocktails, food and ambience. They always have a bit of everything on the menu if you're going with a group with different likings. I've never had a bad experience here and have gone numerous times. My favorites are the Cesar salad, mussels in a pot, the burger and vodka pasta. If you visit for brunch, each brunch item includes a free cocktail which is a great value. A must visit! read more
2 years ago
It was just me and wanted to try the french toast (thats what I usually do at all diners and breakfast places that I visit). Added to that, I wanted to try their fresh pressed orange juice (it was indeed fresh and wonderful). The vanilla bean french toast was smelling so good, tasting so fresh and it was filling along with the orange juice. I stayed nearby and hence walked to this place. Not sure about their parking. Staff were friendly and had smiling faces. I went in late around 10:30 AM and so found a spot quickly. The dining area looked good. read more
6 months ago
Love the Smith- always has an option for every mood and a great menu! The food has always been really good and I enjoy their brunch cocktails as well as their happy hour cocktails. The service has always been fantastic and I always bring my out of town guests here for breakfast. A very welcoming and casual spot perfect for happy hour, weekend brunch, or quick bite. read more
4 years ago
This was our first place to try when we arrived to Chicago. The location was perfect it was across the street from our hotel Service: the service was great we arrived 30 prior to closing and they didn't hesitate to have us in fro dinner. Oscar who took care of us was great he was very informative and helpful with tip for the food and things to do in Chicago. He also gave us a taste of a frozen drink it was delicious. Food: the food was great We had the tomato basil soup it was delicious creamy and cheesy nothing too overwhelming. The smith BURGER woahh hands down one of the best burgers Ive had. Drinks: drink were good the bar area is nice. Dessert: We had the apple pie WOW im not an apple pie person but this one with the crust, the icecream waa perfect. Overall really good experience everyone was super friendly. read more
Came here in February, waking distance from the hotel I stayed in. The service was good, waiter was attentive and friendly. Food didn't take long and everything was hot and tasted good. The lightening gave a moody vibe which is nice...it feels like a decent date night spot; not too fancy and not too casual. Overall solid spot. I would visit again if I had the choice. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
Came in a Thursday night and was greeted warmly. Got a table inside. Service constant was a little slow, but once we ordered, everything came out on time. Spit spicy salmon tatare (excellent) and shrimp pasta entree (excellent). Wine options were just OK. Glad we picked this place. read more
6 months ago
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Corner Table R.
Logan,…
We swung by The Smith for a late St Pattys lunch. Initially it was just me and another friend and even though the place was crowded, we found some space at the bar to grab a few bites. We ordered the Shirley temple drinks and they were tasty but really sugary. We next ordered the chicken and the arancini. Both were really good. To our surprise, our other friends also joined later and we had to request for a table. Luckily, we got a table and were all seated there. The service was pretty fast and the servers were friendly even though the place was jam packed. We ordered the ricotta gnocchi, chicken pot pie and the potato chips at the table. The food is really great and I really liked the service, that's why I am giving 5 starts but the ambience is just ok. read more
2 years ago
Finally make it here in Chicago after enjoying their restaurant in midtown Manhattan. I'm pleased with the service at the bar & the burger was as I requested, it came with an ambulance of hot fries. Glad made it here for the professional service & lively atmosphere, read more
2 years ago
The Smith is one of my favorites simply because you can't go wrong with much here. The food is great, and the service has always been wonderful. I was recently here to celebrate my birthday and they easily accommodated all 10 of us without a problem. The service was speedy and friendly, and the dinner went off without a problem. read more
2 years ago
Beautiful atmosphere walking in. came for sunday brunch and got seated inside right away. had some oysters to get started and they were amazing. then i got the goat cheese omelette and the server, Daniel, recommended this aioli to add a lil spice and it was absolutely delicious! my friends got the mac n cheese and tomato soup and that was very tasty. 10/10 all the above read more
2 years ago
Overall good experience. The kale quinoa salad was fresh with buttery smooth avocado. My only complaint is for the desert the hot fudge sundae. I was surprised when basil leaves were in my ice cream. I personally wasn't a big fan but maybe others like it. Paying and splitting the bill was easy. The staff was lovely and food came out pretty quickly even though the place was pretty busy. Seemed like a clean restaurant. read more
My friends and I talked on Saturday evening and planned to go to brunch the next day. I honestly booked this place because it was one of a few in River North that actually had an available OpenTable reservation. So I went in with no expectations. It was super easy to get there since the bus stop was right outside the restaurant. The place was quite busy which was expected. We were seated on time, and I immediately enjoyed the cozy vibes. It is also a larger restaurant compared to many others in Chicago. The service was exceptional. Our server was kind and funny. The food and drinks were outstanding! I like how a lot of the reasonably-priced entrees come with a cocktail, which is something you don't see often. The sangria was fruity, fresh, and almost as good as the ones I've tried in Spain. We ordered churro waffles for the group to share, which radiated a warm cinnamon smell as soon as they hit the table. They were complete with a sugar coating and rich, piping hot chocolate sauce on the side. I ordered the omelet which had elegant and bold flavors, including roasted tomatoes, goat cheese, and some delicately dressed greens on the side. Normally I don't like to repeat restaurants when visiting the city, but I might make an exception for The Smith! read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
More info about The Smith
400 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60654
River North, Near North Side
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(312) 312-5100
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https://thesmithrestaurant.com/location/chicago/
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Ask the Community - The Smith
What time does brunch end on Saturdays?
Brunch is served on Saturdays & Sundays until 4pm! - The Smith Team
Is there a happy hour?
Yes! They have $1.50 oysters and some happy hour priced drinks. Must order at bar.
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