Smiths of Smithfield

ONscotland

Great 1st February 2009

1 found this helpful

I visited Smiths of Smithfield, having read a fairly mixed bag of reviews.

You can't reserve a table for breakfast, so you just turn up and hope that a table is available, and although today I was in luck, there does seem to be quite a fast turnover of tables given that it's just breakfast.

The staff were very good, and I really enjoyed the food.
If you like people watching this is also an entertaining venue, and there were all kinds of people here - all ages and all seemed to be having a good time.

There is a lot of communal tables, and lots of breakfast favourites like HP Sauce and Heinz Ketchup. Tea and coffee is served in white mugs with the spoon in.

I had the full English (Breakfast 3) but I don't eat black pudding but they offered immediately to substitute another meat in it's place. Without having to be asked. They also passed my egg test: I cannot abide eggs that are runny in any way, but love eggs all the same. And restaurants seem to have a hard time understanding that I need them cooked hard! But Smiths of Smithfield was the first place that has actually cooked the egg just the way I like it. This kind of thing is important to me.

I thought I got great value for money - yes, it's pricey, but not London hotel pricey, the service was fast and I would definitely go back.

bagpuss72

Reasonable food, awful customers 4th September 2008

0 found this helpful

This is one of those places which satisfies the need of the modern urban dweller to "do something" with their breakfast time at the weekend in case they are overcome with feelings of having missed a trick. Unfortunately, the type of people who eat here are a very good reason for avoiding a repeat visit. Yes, there are groups of foreign students and tourists. Yes there are the yummy mummys along with their gormless hubbies. Worst of all though are those London types we all love to hate; shouting, braying, constantly bellowing on their mobiles, an over-inflated sense of their own self-importance. Guaranteed to send a shudder down the spine of any self-respecting individual.

The food on the other hand is better, though without a doubt, extremely overpriced. Posher sausages, bacon and eggs are still just sausage, bacon and eggs. Cheap meat and eggs. Presentation is good, portions are small, service is appalling and the tables are jammed so close together you can tell the brand of deoderant your neighbours are wearing.

If you can stand the people, the crush, the couldn't-care-less staff and the feeling of being fleeced when the bill comes then by all means enjoy the reasonable quality food. If you have even a little bit of self-respect, go elsewhere.

alba

Ground floor 19th October 2007

4 found this helpful

I've just loved it!!! I thought it was going to be packed with lawyers and bankers and I was wrong (at least to have lunch they don't go there!). The service was quick, the food was excellent and I enjoyed the atmosphere. Defineteley it will be one of my locals! I hope to try the rest of the restaurants of Smiths very soon!

lenalouise

24th July 2007

5 found this helpful

Situated near Smithfield market, this is somewhere you go for fantastic quality steaks and anything else meaty. Last time I went, we shared a juicy cote de boeuf on the third floor mmm... tender, melt-in-your-mouth and full of flavour.

My starter was pretty delicious too. It was smoked eel with potato cake, beetroot and bacon. The flavours worked really well together!

The second floor is slightly more casual with equally tasty food. Be sure to try a cocktail on the groundfloor whilst waiting for your table. The third floor has really good views over central London and definitely worth a visit.

I think I know why it's called S.O.S... someone save me before I eat too much!!

sabrinaici

17th June 2007

2 found this helpful

Very spacious place with a Jazzy atmosphere,looks like being in a warehouse, but it is all designed very well.

gastrosnob

20th March 2007

3 found this helpful

Owned and run by John Torode- he of Masterchef fame.

Very different depeding on where you sit and when you go.

Ground floor bar is great for Breakfast and Lunc- but too noisy for anything more than a bowl of chips to go with your booze.

Cocktail bar is small but very good.

1st Floor restaurant food if good, sometimes stunning and is buzzy but OK.

Top Floor food is very, very good particularly the chilli squid and the steaks.

Should be a floor to suit all tastes and budgets

sue at 14/05/07

Hi - do the upstairs dining areas get noisy as well?

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