Smollensky's on the Strand

A great palce to take the kids to eat. The menus had plenty of choice for everyone, the waiter was spot on, the food turned up in good time (the waiter actually asked us if we wanted the kids food withour starters, usually we have to ask them) and they had a magician and clown there to entertain them. For once I did not mind the 12.5% service charge being added - they deserved it. We would thoroughly recommend this place to anyone.
Comment on this reader review

Iain Minns - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Sunday, February 04, 2007

Myself and my daughter and a friend took two babies and a toddler on a Monday lunch time. We found the staff excellent & very friendly. They couldn't do enough for the children-even offered to play child friendly DVD. The food was good and the service too.
Comment on this reader review

Maxine Webber
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Went on Sat 13th January at lunchtime. I am not from London and went in as I'd vaguely heard of Smollensky's. However I didn't realise that there is a children's party there every Saturday and Sunday lunch-time- this was NOT mentioned outside the restaurant and should have been. Despite that, the kids didnt make too much noise, and we asked to move to a area away from the children. It would however have been nice to see a group of five or so children - obviously not at all supervised by their parents- be told by the staff NOT to run about the entire restaurant . Luckily this didnt happen too often as it would have spoilt on otherwide excellent meal ( the falafel burger was great) and attentive service, but did affect the atmosphere which was basically that of a childrens party. You have however be warned; dont go for lunch at the weekends unless you really like the idea of being around a bunch of children at play!
Comment on this reader review

Jenni
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 7
Monday, January 15, 2007

went on 27.12. Time out mentioned singer and musician. no singer and very little music.

the service was awful and the food not good. the waitress wasn't nice at all.

thanks God we went to Savoy for a drink and a wonderful piano player to forget about the bad experience of Smollensky's.
Comment on this reader review

a. alaoui - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 2
Thursday, December 28, 2006

We were recommended by our concierge and he was right on the money! Great atmosphere, good live music, food and service was excellent! I would recommend a rioja wine not on the menu "Pago". Delicious! Lounge atmosphere was buzzing and the bartenders are a treat to watch!
Comment on this reader review

Lisa O from Miami
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Have always wanted to try this place however I will not be going back. The food and atmosphere are very good but even though it was a Friday lunch time and we were a party of four I never expected to wait 30 minutes to get served. It would have been nice to at least get a drink while browsing the menu and they have the nerve to add a service charge for something that frankly does not exist.
Comment on this reader review

Brian Jones
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Thursday, November 30, 2006

for me smollenky`s was a place to go on sunday evenings. In the past before their refurbishment, it was a pleasent place to watch a live band and have a good meal from a comphrehensive menu. For some reason the menu was reduced to that of a fast food joint. I made a complaint to the manager when served coffee in mugs with "smollenky`s the best steaks in town" written on the side... I`m no snob but i felt it was a little tacky, especially as the prices were the same for low quality food.

My girlfriend and I have visited once since the refurbishment. The decor is very nice indeed but it is spoilt by the poor and over priced food on offer. There`s a small lounge behind the dining area whereby a small group of "chavs "decided to bang there table loudly intime to the music. At no point did any member of staff bother to stop them disturbing everyone else`s enjoyment of the music. smollenky`s is no more :(
Comment on this reader review

mike richards
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 2
Thursday, November 30, 2006

I went to Smollenskys on Saturday, what a fantastic place. My daughter who's 3 and I were invited last minute not really knowing what to expect, and what a treat. Party bags, a clown and a magician! plus an emergency television for when they get bored watching their mums waffling on and quaffing on red wine! I felt relaxed, the kids were happy - forget shopping! One thing I would like to suggest for the kids menu is vegetables, surprisingly my daughter asked for sprouts and baby tomatoes, not expecting those exactly but maybe peas or broccoli would have been nice - however we did not think at the time to ask for the mixed veg from the adults menu - too much wine I think!
Comment on this reader review

Penny Thompson
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, November 20, 2006

My girlfriend had just moved up from Devon to London and I wanted a special location for a meal. Smollenky's was perfect. Her reaction on entering a class restaurant in "the big city" was immense. The place looks fabulous. I can't speak highly enough of this restaurant; service, drinks, food & atmosphere could not have been better. Thank you Smollenky's for delivering on your word!
Comment on this reader review

Danny Mann
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, November 13, 2006

My partner and I ate here on a recent weeknight. The restaurant wasn't terribly busy, so we got in without a reservation, no problem. We requested and received a non-smoking table.

Our food and drinks were very good, and the service was fine. But unfortunately our night was spoilt by the restaurant manager. Our non-smoking table turned out to be quite near to the bar section. Apparently the tables farthest from the bar are smoking, so the non-smoking section is literally surrounded on three sides by the smoking section! We had no problem until half way through the meal when a group of office workers lit up cigars about ten feet from our table. We complained to the waitress as this was impacting our meal quite badly. She went to speak to the manager. He came along about 20 minutes later, wasn't at all apologetic and basically said that we were in the non-smoking section, so there was nothing he would do. We tried to reason with him and make him understand that cigar smoking is banned in most nice restuarants, at least away from the non-smoking section, but he was having none of it. If the manager had apologised or showed the slightest but of sympathy, it wouldn't have been so bad. But his complete lack of concern convinced us to never go back, depsite the good steaks, friendly service, and nice decor. If you don't want to inhale cigar smoke with your steak, I suggest giving this place a miss!
Comment on this reader review

Martin F
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Friday, November 10, 2006