Smiths of Smithfield

Appalling service lets down great potential. We went to Smiths for a birthday party last night, the waiting staff had limited knowledge of the drinks menu, both citing newness to the job as reasons for ignorance. Could be forgiven if the only issue, but they pestered us for payment every time they bought drinks ("it would be easier for US if you set up a tab") / tapping us on the shoulder to get attention when we were mid conversation / taking credit cards away behind the bar for payment....

For our first round of drinks, my friend's Martini was about 30ml served in a dirty glass, with water stains around the rim. £11.

My 'pale ale' was lager. I was told it was draft by the pint (but saw the waiter pouring the 330ml bottle into a thick-glass jug glass). I stuck with the lager, and the girls switched to Prosecco, although at one point their bill charged them for Champagne - we queried it and it was changed, but still an appalling lack of care by waiters (more than doubling the bill).

At the end of the evening, we ordered a final round and the bill, and our bill included 2 cocktails we hadn't ordered and hadn't seen. I took it to the waitress who brought the bill and explained politely that there had been a mistake - she shrugged her shoulders and pointed to the barman who said, verbatim "the drinks were ordered by someone, and need to be paid for", I said not by us, we will happily pay for what we ordered and have been drinking, and he just said "All drinks HAVE to be paid for".

Then the cocktails were delivered to our table, and a waitress started to argue with my friends about the fact that we had ordered them (which all 4 of us protested was simply not true, but she held her line that we had ordered them. More lies, presumably looking to get a higher service charge).

We did not pay for the drinks we hadn't ordered, of course, and at this point left, but the waiter accused us of trying to get free drinks at the end of our evening. Appalling.
Comment on this reader review

3 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Sunday, March 17, 2013

Came here ages ago and it was good so thought it was worth a return visit. Booked an early table as we were due at a concert at the Barbican . The ambience of the place is similar to a provincial wine bar - loud cheesy music (madonna, coldplay etc) the decor very dated 90's "warehouse" style . The average Smiths customer seems suited to this - a party of essex girls on a hen night next to us and a handful of foreign tourists. When presented with the menu we were not impressed. Turns out at that time they could only offer small plates rather than the proper menu - this was at 5.30 , the main menu does not start till 6.00 pm we were told. When i made the booking i asked for the 1st floor dining rooms on the basis i had checked out the full menu online. The person booking made no mention that we would have a limited menu. I explained this to the amiable waitress and she said she would have a word with the chef. She returned and said it was a no go, the chef refused. On to the food - below average slop - flabby barbecue chicken - chips straight out the freezer bag. tempura prawns also tasted previously frozen. just appalling quite frankly. With the attitude of the chef and the average food he is serving this place deserves to fail and i would urge you not to bother making a visit!!
Comment on this reader review

lyrec - View all reviews by this user
2 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Monday, May 14, 2012

Really Really Really disappointed. I did not expect high end dining but at least something that would be pleasant to it...Chewy Belly Pork, French Onion Soup that was really soggy/salty and didnt taste much like any French Onion soup I have ever previously had..I had to send both dishes back and ended up just having bread in the end as could not be bothered ordering any more food (i was with a party). It also really annoyed me when i highlighted to the waiter that the belly pork was chewy for his comment to be, 'well nobody else has complained today' !!?!?!? How about I am sorry, could i get you another dish etc..better trained staff would help.

We also had to wait for 15 mins to pay for the bill whilst the staff talked in a corner without looking up once ...At which point i got up and walked over to asked to pay

The concept is good, restuarant/bar/gastro pub split over 3 floors, but the reality is the food is Poor and I will NEVER go back.

If you are looking for a place to drink after work, its a good haunt, however DONT waste your money on food here. Far better going to another local resturant that understand how to cook the basics well.

Buy hey this is just my experience...so wish you luck if you go....you will need it.
Comment on this reader review

Harry Hume
3 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 1
Friday, March 30, 2012

Not bad at all to be honest.

I wouldn't say I am a vegetarian as I eat fish but unless you are in a seafood restaurant that in itself can be limiting with the veggy option usually an afterthought . Have to say the Haddock was lovely as was the creamed spinach. My other half had the Beef & Ale pudding and he said it was delicious. We shared a sticky toffee pudding and that was gorgeous. The overall meal was really nice but at £90 quid including two glasses of wine and a G&T, it was on the pricey side. I liked the space as there is nothing worse than a stuffy loud restaurant so it suited me.

The waitress made me feel a tad uncomfortable as I felt very much on the receiving end of a dose of I am going to be nice to you because I have to thing and I truly hate my job, but having lived in London for 25 years.. I have seen worse ;O)
Comment on this reader review

Paul
6 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6
Monday, January 30, 2012

I'm so glad I wasn't paying the bill here. I would have been even more disappointed if I had.

I was one of a party of about 10, so I had the benefit of overview when it came to the actual food. I wasn't that impressed. Starters were amateur relative to the price. Mains were embarrassing. I should have ordered two starters. Instead I had the fish, which had been battered to within an inch of its life and swimming in grease. Not quite what I was expecting. For dessert I ordered a creme brulee to sweeten things, but the sugar had been so burned it quite literally left a bad taste in my mouth.

The service was merely functional. There was no real friendliness or attentiveness about it. They did their job, but we had to repeat a few orders as they dropped the ball a few times. They were never rude, however, and did their best, but it left a lot of room for improvement.

As for the atmosphere? I honestly believe this restaurant should be somewhere else. As it stands, it's located in the most cavernous space possible - is it an ex-warehouse or ex-factory?

When it came to the bill - as previously mentioned, I'm glad I wasn't paying. It was too high for the experience. I can't recommend this restaurant. Too much superior competition in the area to justify returning.
Comment on this reader review

Alan Ingham - View all reviews by this user
4 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 3
Thursday, October 20, 2011

Last night we returned to Smith’s of Smithfield for a second wonderful meal. On around the same date last year, our friend Hannah invited us there for her birthday dinner, having had a real trauma trying to find a good restaurant in London who would accept a booking of ten without a deposit and/or set menu. SOS though were happy to oblige us with a lovely large table in their second floor dining room, and so we returned again this year for Hannah’s celebrations.

Adam and I are self-named ‘ethicureans’ and only eat free range meat, and fish that’s line caught and responsibly sourced, so dining out for us is often a disappointment as we forego the amazing looking meat and fish dishes in exchange for a vegetarian meal which fits in with our rules. When we first heard we were going to SOS though we checked out their website to find out a little more about their ingredients and sourcing, and then after a quick phone call we found that all their meat is in fact free range….not just ‘British’ or ‘outdoor bred’. One waiter even said to us ‘I wouldn’t work here if they served any less’.

So, that box ticked, we arrived to the buzzing ground floor bar for arrival drinks before heading upstairs (in the trendily red-quilt-lined lift) to our table situated between the open kitchen and a vast well overlooking the floor below. These, and the other busy tables made for a great atmosphere in what is actually a pretty large restaurant (130 covers), and the attentive and knowledgeable staff certainly helped too.

Last night, having nearly spoiled our dinner on a rather-too-large lunch, Adam and I opted out of starters….although I couldn’t resist a few excellent Rock Oysters with sherry vinaigrette (£2.20 each) whilst everyone had their gorgeous looking Dorset Crab & Cox Apple on Toasted Sourdough (£9) and Cream of Cauliflower with Cheese Puffs (£5). Onto mains though and ‘eating light’ soon went out of the window as we were determined to make the most of our meaty feast. Adam chose the South Devon Rib Steak (Aged 21 Days), with Chips & Mayo (£17.50) which was served beautifully pink and perfectly succulent. For me, it was the Rosé Veal in Egg & Parmesan, with Rocket & Anchovies (£16) and although it wasn’t a pretty plate (I’m not a rocket person, and the veal was completely covered in the egg like a sort of omlettey schnitzel) the veal was tender and tasty….as was my side order of wonderfully silky mash (£2.50).

We were too stuffed for puddings, but opposite me, Greg’s Sticky Toffee Pudding (£7) made me very envious as the smell of the hot toffee was almost enough to make me place a late order. Adam settled for an espresso whilst I finished my wine (slow drinker) which he tells me was very good. And by the time we’d finished chatting the place was nearly empty, but with no less atmosphere for it….. and so we left pleasantly full and rather jolly, vowing not to leave it so long until our next visit.
View/Add comments (1)

prettypretentious
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Sunday, October 16, 2011

I haven't been to SOS for a few years - but ventured back recently having moved back into the area. Always loved the buzzy bar, and it didn't disappoint this time either. I don't think these guys have ever served food in the bar, but I always thought it would be good to serve something that wasn't a full on steak dinner.....and now they are!

Think the 1st Floor used to be a raucous cocktail bar - but it's now a great little restaurant, pretty informal & just what you want if you want t a few bits to share, but still eat properly. The staff told me they've just bought in a new menu which is more about small plates & trying wines by the glass - they were really helpful with suggestions too. We had the sliders, some potato croquettes, scallop sashimi, roast cod with rouille, and my favourite the lamb cutlets with white beans. The table next to us had the cote de boeuf which I will definitely be back for!

So, a good return to Clerkenwell - am going to try the Top Floor with some clients in a couple of weeks too, new Head Chef has apparently changed the menu quite a bit, so let's see!
Comment on this reader review

Rossco - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Sunday, August 21, 2011

Used to visit top floor SOS quite frequently but gradually was disappointed so gave it a rest for a couple of years. Took some visitors there last Saturday. Will not be visiting in the future. The weather was perfect and the setting is wonderful on a summer evening. First disappointment was the bread. I assume they changed supplier when a new chef was appointed. Always on the menu was half crab. Now they serve two tiny portions of non descript crab meat. My first course of salad with a poached egg was a joke. I followed this with a filet steak was perfect. My partner's steak was hard and chewy. The chef should pay a visit to North Sea Fish Restaurant to find out what should be served as chips. We asked for the two children aged three and five to share one dish. They charged for two. I only drink tap water and asked for same. They charged for the water which the waiter said was filtered. This beautiful restaurant was only half full on a Saturday evening and still the service was extremely slow. To crown it all the bill was pretty hefty. Maybe John Torode should do less TV and more SOS
Comment on this reader review

Pamela Hoffman
4 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, August 03, 2011

I visited Smiths on Saturday night (25th June,2011) along with my partner, sister and brother in law. We were greated warmly by the staff downstairs who where very polite, personable and professional. The staff advised us that rather than sitting in the busy, loud, ground floor bar we should make the most of the evening and weather and enjoy a drink on the terrace! The lift took us to the top floor where again, a very warm welcome. Even though we were early we had the choice of sitting at the table or the terrace. Being smokers we sat in the designated area and relaxed. The staff were prompt and alowed adequate time for us to browse through the wine list.

The staff throughout the heaving were superb, their knowlegde surrounding the wine, the meat and most importantl the cheese, was second to none!!!!!

The starters were delicious and creative, highly recommend the scallops and onion bhaji. Amazing combination. the starts were served hot and the white wine was scrumptious. The mains followed, and were outstanding. You can't go to Smiths and not have steak. The New York rib (cote de beouf) was delicious and cooked perfectly to our preference.

A nice touch to the menu's is on the front, the panoramic view from the balcony is printed on the front of the menus, all numbered and answers inside.

As i previously hinted, we ended the meal with a cheese board. The waiter knew all about the cheeses and threw in a couple of extra's as a treat!!!!

I could ramble on for hours.....All in all a superb evening. Having read the reviews I had become slightly concerned hence why I feel it very important to praise Smiths and their staff.
Comment on this reader review

Jenny Logan
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Sunday, June 26, 2011

My Fiance took me to Smiths on sunday 19.6.11 for my birthday lunch. Well the wine list was extensive and expensive. After watching masterchef and listening to John comments on food, well I thought I was in for something really special. What I got was steak and chips. My thoughts is that a top chef would NEVER offer chips. I thought this was a fine dining experiance and thought the food was very ordinary and any of those dishes could of been better cooked and prepared at home. I am Australian and expected to see maybe a kangaroo steak on offer as this meat is very lean in fat and very yummy. But no nothing imaginative there at all. I think I would of enjoyed dinner at Harvester much more and saved a lot more money. I would hang my head in shame Mr Torode.
Comment on this reader review

Shane Dodds
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Monday, June 20, 2011