Smith is another solid Capitol Hill gastropub. I've been for both brunch and dinner and would definitely go again.
I was first intrigued when I drove by one summer night and saw lively young group of folks having a great time. My intrigue increased when I saw photos fo their chicken and waffles. They looked legit. So I finally made it priority and went in!
Sat down a bit early on a Saturday morning and ordered the chicken and waffles. The decor is like hunting lodge...lots of wood, lots of antlers, lots of liquor. I loved it! Chicken and waffles are nothing new, but i really loved the spice of the chicken and the syrup pairs perfectly.
Later, i went back for dinner to try another popular fare: the burger. It's HUGE. It comes on it's on board and really meaty. (dare I say too meaty??)
The service here is alright. It's a bit hit or miss for me. Not really attentive, not exactly bad...just alright.
Anyway, I'd totally go back because the food is hearty, full of classic addictive flavors.
Went for dinner, and had to really try hard to get over the hipster overload of this place. We ordered the smith burger medium, came out 10 seconds away from being well done-and dry :( the pork sandwich was just okay. The corn fritters, also okay. The paprika mayonnaise was the better part if that dish, which sounds disgusting but it's true.
A friend recommended this place for breakfast, so maybe I'll come back for a shot at breakfast....maybe.
3.5 stars. I've been here twice, once for breakfast and once for dinner. The food is solid, a bit pricey, but not enough to put me off.
For breakfast I had waffles with fresh strawberries. The syrup really set it off. Definitely a great place to come with people who actually want brunch...they have their burger available all day. Speaking of... I have the burger when I came for dinner. My major beef, if you will, was the bread. It was too spongey and not hefty enough to support such a large flavorful burger. I hope next time I come they've switched this up.
The atmosphere is Capitol Hill all the way... a mix of young twenty-thirty somethings, intellectuals and hipsters.
The service was just OK. I felt like the staff cared I as there only some of the time. They would go from being friendly and attentive to forgetful and distant...I'll definitely come back to give them another chance on this point.
All in all go to Smith. Great location, interesting decor (Hunting Lodge Chic) and good food.
Seriously, they have the best homemade tonic for their gin and tonics, and super good margaritas - not too sweet. But SKIP the food. Extremely small portions, bland, and very little effort given to preparation. Just not yummy. If you go, go before or after dinner. Or just order an appetizer to snack on. With ALLLL the good food in Seattle, you can scratch this option off your list.
Review Source:Had their weekend brunch Eggs Benedict. Â While the bennies were okay, it kind of failed to reach the Holy Grail measure. Â The hollandaise sauce could have been a little more abundant in quantity and a touch more lemony. The dill, however, was put to good use. It created a very nice layer of flavor. Â The softness of the yolk was a disappointment,as it was halfway to being hard boiled--a big no-no when it comes to a Benny. The perfect yolk is not runny but, rather, flows slow like lava and stops running about when it reaches the plate. Â The thin ham was fine, though it maybe could have been better had it not been cooked. The flavor was strong enough that it detracted from what I liked about the hollandaise sauce. Â
Eggs Benedict is an inherently difficult dish to execute. That's why it is a Holy Grail kind of a thing--similar in the way that duck can be (try Canlis for their duck, if you want to learn what a Holy Grail duck breast is like). For me, the quest continues.
Went here specifically because we found it they had traditional poutine - and we were not disappointed! The menu is a bit sparse, but poutine is certainly on it. My wife and I each ordered a small poutine - and it was huge! Absolutely delicious, with fresh cheese curds, delicious gravy and amazing hand cut fries. Smith has a cute atmosphere and is in one of my favorite parts of Capitol Hill, which is a huge bonus. We will definitely be coming back here for poutine again!
Review Source:I came here for a drink for my first time... The space is perfect high ceilings lots of space in the open air main hall with a couple benches in the middle, perfect layout for a large tab!. Awesome decor great trophy heads and other cool decorations. Has a quality beer list. Overall a hardy joint.
Review Source:A pleasantly minimalistic menu and fantastic ambience, as long as you don't mind the dead animals much.
Drinks: As a whiskey fan I was intrigued by their Linda's Blended Bourbon, tried it as an Old Fashioned, and was not disappointed - great spice.
Food: Absolutely, without question get the sweet potato fries that are served with a stone-ground aioli. Hell, even their regular fries are delicious paired with ketchup. The mac and cheese is comforting but bends towards being very creamy (so don't expect any crunch from bread crumbs and the like). The Smith burger has good potential, but the one time I tried it my request for medium rare arrived nearly as rare as steak tartare, so you may want to round up on your heating preference.
HH 4-6, every day I think. A $5 Old Fashioned is an excellent deal, but stay away from the corn fritters- way too dry with too little sauce. If hungry, opt for the charcuterie instead- simple and delightful.
And the service? Usually pretty darn good, but you can occasionally feel forgotten.
Came here on an overcast, rainy night.  Shock.  Fairly lively for a Thursday.  The primary draw were the drinks.  The food  not bad but nothing spectacular. Â
Decor - Smith is adorned with the old skool hunting motif in spades. Â A cool overall vibe. Â
Service - Friendly, attentive waitstaff.  We were going to get the mac n  cheese, which everyone talks about, but our waitress recommended the fish as it was a seasonal item while the mac n cheese is a perennial.  I thought this was a nice touch, even if it was an upsell. Â
Food - We got the kale salad (I know kale has been all over the place the past few years, but I'm still not a huge fan), the fish special (not bad and can't remember the specific name now), and the steak. Â The steak was my favorite item. Â Of the three this is the one I'd recommend. Â Next time I'm looking forward to trying the mac n cheese. Â
Drinks - We each got a couple and they were good. Â Wish I wrote this review right after going. Â Something for next time. Â
Overall 3.5 stars. Â Chill spot, good drinks, okay/not spectacular food.
I had there feature which was a cornmeal crusted rockfish served on seasonal vegetables with a carrot top pesto. The fish was excellently prepared and everything I would expect. The portion was perfect size as well, I didn't leave feeling like I over ate and certainly didn't leave hungry.
While the environment was loud it was a fun atmosphere and the staff was what you would expect for a classy joint.
There beverage selection is very large, many beers and sorts available for you to choose from.
I would recommend this place if you are in the area and looking for something fun, tasty and social!
I love Smith because its goodness is reliable. And since I am a creature of comfort, I stick to what I like...and I like Smith.
The atmosphere is always pretty lively. Whether you're here for brunch, dinner, or drinks, this place always has a good vibe. The specials they have for dinner are usually pretty tasty and original. If I'm here for brunch, I go with the french toast with cinnamon crunch...AMAZING. They do have a chicken and waffle breakfast special, but if you're a Roscoe's fan, you'll be disappointed. Â If I'm here for dinner, I usually start with some poutine (it's pretty fantastic here, especially with sparerib on top) and follow up with a burger. Can't go wrong with a Smith burger with some sweet potato fries. You can also order a few of the appetizer-size dishes and split with friends. The spareribs are a huge favorite.
During the summer, Smith opens the windows in the front, which allows sunshine and a nice breeze while dining. It's always fun to sit in the front and people watch, too. The center of the restaurant has communal dining tables, which can be fun if you're in the mood to meet new people.
The servers are always super nice here and accommodating but suuuuuuuper hipsterffic. Sometimes I think they are in competition with one another to see who can look the most alternative. The crowd is the same, but there is also a good mix of regulars that are not uber-hipster.
I'm super sad that Chip (previous GM) is no longer here - he was my favorite! It definitely won't be the same place without him. :(
I love brunch. I'm super picky and I have had the unfortunate luck to try Jane's in NYC --since then all other French toasts pale in comparison.
Smith's isn't as good but it comes pretty darn close with the fluffiness and size..unless you have the appetite of a linebacker I guarantee you can't finish it with sides or appetizers. (I also ordered a side of their potatoes, awesome, try it with hot sauce, you won't be disappointed).
service was attentive & great but towards the end the girl was kinda weird, she said, "I'm assuming you know your card isn't signed.."
but she already swiped my card? even if I had signed it, when she gave the card&slip back to me I could have easily signed the slip, pocketed the card and left..and even if she memorized my autograph by then I'm out the door.
but yes, it is me, don't worry, no chargeback here!
signed,
happy tummy
I was here for breakfast with a group of Yelpers - it's a nice spot on Capitol Hill to get breakfast. I had a veggie scramble with coffee, both items were good and I would gladly order them again!
The ambiance - it's very inviting, charming, and welcoming. We grabbed a table in the center, which while is great for seating around 12 people. While it was it's in the center of the facility for easy access and great seating capacity, the building does reflect most of the ambient sound and discussions taking place. So, it can be a challenge to hear a conversation while at those tables - but hey, that's what's voice projection is for, and turning heads to listen. On a Sunday morning - almost every seat had been taken.
Service is top notch during my visit - the wait staff kept our waters, coffee filled. I would definitely stop by here again for breakfast when I'm in Capitol Hill.
Liz M. was nice enough to set up the UYE brunch at Smith!
Atmosphere was fun and quirky with animal heads all over.
Service was friendly and they had good coffee (Stumptown, $2 with refills).
I ordered the Eggs Benedict with $12. It was just ok. I was disappointed in the dish  because this is my favorite breakfast item normally. The potatoes that came with it were pretty good though. The hollandaise was off and made the whole dish taste like butter.
I would come back and give them another try. The general consensus seemed to be that everyone though the brunch was alright.
We enjoyed good company though! I had a good time hanging out with other Yelpers.
Love coming here for solid food and good drinks. I've been here numerous times for happy hour, dinner and brunch.
You can't really go wrong with anything on the short menu (thank god). Arugula salad with poached eggs, and the crispy chicken leg are two favorites!
Animals on the walls are creepy, but whatevs!
LOVE this place!
Their brunch is outstanding with a solid kick in their bloody mary. And you cannot go wrong with whatever you order. Whether it's brunch or dinner, everything I've had has been delicious!
Fave: Broccolini Kale salad & the Mac N Cheese
Great ambience, fantastic place to take friends visiting. Just a great feel with wonderful service & food.
I come here for the burger and sweet potato fries. Then I'm always pushed towards amazed by the bartenders. They not only have the IPA you've been salivating for, but can also whip up a delicous manhatten upon request.
The only drawback I have is that the burgers can be a little greasy. Smith, if you can figure this out I'll bump you up to 5 stars.
Overall, just keep up the good work!
I love this place and am adding it to my list of reasons why I will never move from Capitol Hill, like EVER.
Atmosphere - The place is dark enough to be cozy, yet large enough to be accommodating. The whole situation with the stuffed dead animals makes it a bit macabre which I kind of like so long as it's not in my home and the portraits of questionable artistic quality round this out to have a sort of British gentlemen's club meets PNW feel.
Food - We had apps and salad and they were great. The Poutine with short rib was excellent, the rapini and Kale salad came with a perfectly poached egg on it and an amazing dressing, the brussel sprouts were good but could do with less bacon and more char and the crab cake fritters were fabulous.
Drink - Drinks were great! The mojito is of such high quality that even when I ordered it without syrup/sugar it was fabulous. My husband had the daiquiri which was also excellent. The beer selection wasn't the greatest for our taste but they do have quite a large selection with a lot of them on tap.
We will have to come back and sample the entrees and brunch in the near future.
This is a great bar with great food.
If you are looking for a great area in Seattle to wander the street and enjoy a variety of locations, 15th is great. Smith is on the Southern end.
The menu is American. They have great meat dishes and sweet potato fries with aoli. Their drink menu constantly changes, but always remains delicious. I've particularly enjoyed the Old Fashion they make. It can get busy at night, but 15th in general has grown very popular over the past couple years. Go here, Liberty, and Old Vine for a great night out.
My Cap Hill friends always suggest this place for brunch and I wanted eggs benedict. Very delicious, great hollandaise that was not too buttery or too sour (lemony) on a perfectly toasted English muffin. It was exactly what any eggs benedict chef should make - standard. Thus, it did not WOW me but did satisfy my hunger. They give you a LOT of potatoes that are well roasted but could use some more seasoning.
Great menu with variety - you can get fried chicken over waffles, beef brisket or even a beet scramble (special over the weekend).
Great customer service!
Tasty food, friendly hipster servers, interesting menu, wonderful ambiance, great people watching. So why the one star?
Their Public Health Food Inspection Score*, that's why.
for the last 3 years they've rated Unsatisfactory,with the number of violations climbing higher each year. Â As of 4/25/13 they had a rating of 75 (a rating of 0 is Satisfactory, 75 means they have many interesting and varied food safety violations. At 90 points the city automatically shuts the restaurant down). That's disgusting, Smith. Clean up your act! We won't be back until you do.
[*To find food safety ratings for any restaurant in Seattle, type "Seattle restaurant inspections" in your browser and it will take you to the public health site for King county.]
Food great, desserts not so much. Our waitress
is a total B!!
We were at this spot with friends celebrating my
hubby's birthday and am trying to ask what type
of white wine is sweet, she tells us and leaves
we asked someone else they said that wine they
are out of and she had a bit of an attitude.
Fast forward to dessert 2 of us had this vanilla
pudding turns out there was grapefruit on top
and inside the pudding! One of us hates grapefruit
the other allergic, so we com aimed to our waitress
and she acts like a B to us when there's a
a com ain't about the dessert and then tries
to kiss butt afterwards. So not cool!!!!
Beyond the food (which is amazing), it's the restaurant setup that I enjoy the most. Let me elaborate... I came in with a group of 8, unexpected, and without reservations on a Thursday night. There was a slight wait, but somehow we lucked out on seating at the large communal table in the middle of the restaurant. I always like that communal tables "force" folks to sit side by side. We Americans are sooooo all about our space. I get that, but we can't be toooo standoffish to strangers. (However, I do draw the line at close talkers! No no... back up!) Anyway, part of the lovely experience I had dining at Smith was because of this seating dynamic. Now, to the food...
Because I was in a group of 8, I figured it was best to just order a bunch of appetizers and sides for sharing. That was the best decision because we were all able to grab a sizable portion of each and not feel like we were about to spend a zillion bucks on communal dining/small plates. The macaroni and cheese was perfect. Pasta was al dente, the sauce was cheesy but not too salty or rich (and stands alone --- no bacon necessary, folks!). The mussels: gorgeous in presentation and flavor. The grilled bread that came with it was fantastic. I do wish they provided a separate bowl for shells though... and perhaps mussel forks?
The poutine --- the fries were a bit over-seasoned, but hey when it's covered in a tasty gravy and melted cheese, who cares? These fries SHUT IT DOWN! The salad with edamame and a light vinaigrette balanced out all this rich food. The dressing was a bit tart and necessary for what we ordered. We all agreed that we were still hungry despite all that food... and chose the crab cakes. Now, I'm not a huge crab cake fan, but Smith may have changed my mind on this Mid-Atlantic/New England staple. The hollandaise-like sauce that came with it was a fantastic partner to the crispy, fried cake. (Perhaps because it *is* fried is why I like it?! [since most "traditional" crab cakes aren't?]...) Service was solid as well. Whoever Smith is, tell her/him that I had a good time.
I took my friends who were visiting out of town to here. Â They both like hunting so I thought it was perfect spot for them to check out because of all the taxidermy heads. Â They enjoyed it. Â
This place has good food and tasty drinks. Â I enjoyed the kale salad and the poutine!
Good service too.
Positives: Stumptown coffee is always delicious! They also have one of the best spicy bloody mary drinks in town! Their french toast is flavorful and big. The fried chicken and waffle dish is also delicious. Cool decor with animal heads on the wall. It makes me feel like I'm in Montana...a nice country escape from the busy Capitol Hill neighborhood.
Negatives: The wait for a table and for the food to come takes a long time for weekend brunch. Hope you're not too hungry.
I checked out Smith a few days ago when I was visiting Seattle. I knew the moment I walked in it was my sort of place. Yes, it seems very hipstery but I loved the overall ambiance and the decor was awesome! I've noticed that a few of the bars I visited had an affinity for taxidermy which I absolutely love! Ugh..and the music..shoegaze for a laid back Sunday night? Yes, please!
My party and I ordered some of the signature cocktails. I tried the Blacktail (recommended for whiskey drinkers) and my boyfriend ordered the Lead Hound. Both were quite tasty!
We also ordered dinner-I really couldn't decide what to get but since I had been eating too much junk food I opted for the Brussels sprouts. My boyfriend ordered the burger and my friends ordered the pear & arugula salad. The Brussels sprouts made for a great meal and my friends commented that the salad was one of the best they'd ever had!
Overall, service was great. It took a little while to get what we ordered, however the server was very helpful with recommendations. Prices were reasonable for the quality of food.
I will definitely be back whenever I'm in Seattle again!
I have been here dozens of times and somehow I've never written a review...?! Smith, while a total hipster hangout is still a place I consider near and dear to me. An old haunt of mine when I was in my 20's, I re-visited Smith recently and found that it's still just as charming as ever.
In true Linda-style, the pheasants and dead animals on the wall are welcoming and not scary. Unless you're a PETA activist or something. And just as awesome as the animals on the wall, the animals on my PLATE were great too! I nabbed a stool at the bar and while drinking some old fashioneds I enjoyed some crazy good crab fritters, brussel sprouts and shared a big pile of poutine with friends. The food was ready in what felt like 5 minutes and the drinks were just as I'd hoped. I need to hit up 15th more often whenever I'm on the Hill.
I like the idea of this place more than I like the reality of it.
Decor is nice - large communal tables, wood everywhere, hunters lodge type feeling. Interesting place for people watching.
Service is only ok. - Servers pretty much do the bare minimum, which I guess isn't that uncommon for  a busy Capitol Hill bar, but still, it's kind of bad when you want mustard for your sandwich but the server is so short with you and busy that you never have a chance to ask, and you feel extremely needy for even considering intercepting her as she beelines from one table to another, so you suck it up and just eat the food you're mildly unsatisfied with, as is. Also, it sometimes takes a very long time to get the check.
I would have given this place 4 stars, regardless of service, because the food is above average and the beer list is great, but it gets extremely loud in here. So loud that I can barely hear the person next to me, let alone the person across from me at a 2-person table. I know there's not much they can do about the noise - it is just a large, open space after all - but it's enough to deter me from going here with people I enjoy talking to.
One more thing...if you are a person with kids, considering going to Smith on a busy night, please just wait for your own table! Nobody wants to sit at the communal table for happy hour or Saturday night shenanigans next to a bunch of children!
Came here for brunch with a friend spur of the moment after looking at the menu from the window.
Horrible service. It took almost forever to get a napkin and silverware. Then it took almost another forever to get waters. It finally took forever and a day to place our order after flagging someone down. It didn't seem like the waitstaff knew who was responsible for our table.
The food wasn't bad. It was my second brunch of the day (don't judge) so I ordered yogurt with granola and some fruit. Can't really get that wrong. Asked for the rest of it to go and it was put in a cardboard box. Um hello! Yogurt isn't a solid. It will (and did) seep through the box. A plastic container would have been better. Slow to refill on coffee.
Friend got the arugula and frisee salad but wasn't too impressed.
I wonder if next time will be better. See you on the flip side, Smith's!
Smith is pretty close to perfect. Their menu is diverse but hits the key points without being overwhelming or uppity, their cocktails are creative and delicious, and the atmosphere is dark yet inviting. Went here on a Sunday night once and it was still pretty packed! They have daily specials written on a chalk board by the bar, and if you're looking for a place to host a party, they will accommodate a group of up to twenty! My friend and I wanted to throw our birthday party here but we wound up with a party larger than twenty so we ended up going to the Butterfly Lounge on 11th.
But back to Smith! I had the mussels and charcuterie, which were all-around delicious. The sauce they cook the mussels in is to die for, our waiter came by after we ate all the mussels and asked if we wanted to have some more bread to dip in the sauce and I just looked at him wide-eyed and nodded. He came back with a huge plate of grilled (!) bread that we proceeded to devour. I recommend this place to all of my friends! It's a great spot just outside of the beaten path in Capitol Hill.
Went at around 7PM on a Sunday and it was surprisingly crowded. Wanted a Black Maple Hill bourbon but they were out, the waiter suggested Rowan's Creek which was delicious. Ate their Charcuterie which consisted of pheasant and something else, both of which were pleasantly soft and tasty. Also ate their burger + cheddar & bacon. The burger was amazing; very juicy but the buns were capable of holding it in. I couldn't taste the bacon too much but it added a crispiness to it that I enjoyed.
Very hip inside, animals on the wall and paintings of old dudes.
I had some great pork belly here, but I think it might have been a special.
It's been a couple months since I've been here, but I remember my experience vividly. It was a beautiful evening, and I went to Smith for an early dinner.
Well, we started with the bread, butter, and radishes. How can you make this any more uninteresting? Well, radishes cut in half and served with a couple pats of butter and some bread is how it was served. This is one of my favorite snacks, and I was thoroughly unimpressed with how carelessly simple the plate was. The poutine we had was just fine, but not incredibly hot, and really quite plain.
We ordered lamb meatballs, which I was particularly excited about. I had some bread leftover from the radishes and dipped it immediately into the tomato sauce served with the meatballs. It was delicious and flavorful. Then i took a bite out of a meatball, it was totally raw in the middle. Raw, ground, lamb. I would eat a medium-rare lamb burger, but the raw meatball was unacceptable. Our server was extremely apologetic and offered to bring something else, but I had lost my appetite.
The food overall, seemed really thoughtless. I felt no interest from the kitchen.
And although the servers also floated through the dining room, I felt the service overall was just fine.
I've been here a million times. For the last few years I've lived in Seattle, and visited Smith when I wasn't in town. I have no idea why I haven't reviewed Smith yet.
But I went to brunch here recently, had the salad (I know! For brunch, wtf) with a soft egg and avocado and fruit on the side and here I am, swooning about that salad, weeks later to Yelp. It was ~that~ good. I remember being made fun of by my friends one night ordering a salad here in the midst of a 15th Ave boozefest one night, but I couldn't help myself. There is something about the salads here (I think the dressing is really light and fresh tasting) that makes me just swoon. Linda must really like a good salad too, she must.
What also makes people swoon here? The burgers. And the cuban sandwich. And the hangar steak. And their desserts. Aaaand their sweet potato fries, which came out years ago when they were just beginning to be a ~thing.~ The food is stellar. Specials are exciting and daily up on the chalkboards. The wait times? Not stellar. Their cheap beer list? Stellar. Miss Marley heading up the bar here? This means the cocktails will also be just plain perfect.
Expect great food, and the wait that often comes with great food.
I love everything about the look and idea of Smith, but I have had some bad experiences. Â Rustin pub fare and what you pay and eat are very diferent things. Â
The salads are nothing more than a couple pieces of lettuce on a small dish. Â I wasn't even sure if it was a salad and had to ask about the size and price because it was literally five pieces of lettuce. Â I was told it was locallly grown, but it did not explain the portion. Â I am all about appropriate portions, but this was testing my limits of aceptable small portions. Â
The beer selection is awesome and the poutine is great, but other places have been doing rustic pub fare better with stronger reputations.
Smith: You've quickly become a favorite!
Lucky for me, a couple friends chose Smith as a meet-up spot for dinner. Not knowing what was in store for me, I walked into this (smaller) restaurant, and immediately fell in lust. Â
Dimly lit, with vintage lights sprouted throughout, and the most adorable "old-town" attire - some of the servers wearing suspenders and sweet hats. Â *Adore*
The main reason I come here: the bacon cheeseburgers. Â Nicely presented on a thick wood plank, a modest-sized burger coupled with a pile of house-made fries. Â I *could* share this with my boyfriend, but he always chooses to order his own. So, I force-feed myself the remainder. Â And the boyfriend just rolled his eyes at me as I'm writing this, saying "Go ahead and just say it, your'e a bikini competitor, and this is the place that you go on an eating binge". Â The truth comes out.
I've been meaning to try the macaroni & cheese, which I've heard only great things about, but the BEST burger deters me every time. It's easy to manage, it's fresh, it's unique yet basic... it's my favorite in Seattle.
House wine is cheap & varies by the visit - tasty each time I've been!
I'll be there again for my next "cheat" meal!
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