we were on our way to Smithfield for a 2 night stay.  Called Smithfield Inn on the way to see if we could get reservations.  Person who answered said she needed to get the hostess.  5 minutes latter I hung up and re-dialed.  No answer after 12 rings.  When we arrived at our hotel we asked for reservations in the dining room at the Smithfield Inn.  When we arrived we were seated in the Tavern - not the fine dining atmosphere we expected.  Surrounding us were people in caps and tee shirts.  Chairs were vinyl, 'lounge chairs' not comfortable for eating especially if you are short.  30 minutes after being seated we finally got water and  the drinks we had ordered.  My drink was OK.  My wife swears the liquor in her drink was not what was ordered (we had the same drinks at our hotel).  Our appetizers of ham biscuits was typical of any ham biscuit you  would find at any Virginia Church dinner - nothing special (were we expecting too much?).  My tuna appetizer was comprised of pre-made tuna circles - not high quality at all.  The watermelon salsa it was served on was good though.
My wife did not order an entree but we shared the crab cakes. Â They were good - not spectacular. Â A little out of the ordinary but unique.
Our biggest complaint is that we were ready to experience 'fine dining' but were placed in a tavern atmosphere (there was a fine dining room with white table cloths too) where service was poor and food only OK.
If you are looking for a dining experience - don't expect it at the Smithfield Inn.
Had dinner in the main dining room tonight, ( I usually go to the tavern side), I Â ordered the pan seared salmon, and I have to say it was one of the best pieces of salmon I have ever eaten. Â The balsamic glaze and red bell pepper cream were a great accompaniment, I would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone.
Review Source:When traveling on business, I like to eat at local places than the typical chain type restaurants. Â While in Smithfield, VA on business, I decided to stop at the Smithfield Inn for lunch.
First off, I would have given it 5 stars, however, some of the service was slow. It looked like they needed a little help so empty drink glasses tended to go unfilled. On the other hand, once I ordered my food, it came out fast.
The food was excellent. I went on a seafood theme and started out with the She Crab Soup. It was excellent. I had never had this type of crab before and I could have eaten just this and would have been satisfied. I would have ordered the bowl instead of the cup if this was all I was going to have.
My entree was the Ultimate Crab Cake. t came with a large crab cake, fried green tomatoes and succotash. The crab cake was very good. Lots of crab and not too much breading. The fried green tomatoes were a little bland but still ok. The succotash was good but the Lima beans were a little under done. All and all it was a good entree.
The atmosphere was great. This was an old inn and restaurant on historic Main Street. I recommend checking out the shops on this street as well.
After eating at the Smithfield Inn 8 years ago, I've always wanted to come back and see if the food was still as good. Â I'm happy to say I still enjoy their food even though there have been some changes. Â I wanted to get their crab cake but was disappointed to learn they no longer put Smthfield ham in them (that was my favorite crab cake anywhere). I started my meal with the She Crab soup which was excellent. Then for my entree, I chose the shrimp and grits. Â Even though it tasted good, I don't think it came close to authentic low country shrimp and grits. Â The grits part was actually a square patty of fried grits with the shrimp and sauce spooned on top. Fried grits is just not the same as a bowl of hot creamy grits. I would come back to the Smithfield Inn but will be sure to quiz my server about the exact way a dish is cooked. Â Pros: Â Really nice atmosphere, speedy and nice service, really nice food. Â Cons: misleading menu item, cost.
Review Source:After spending the day digging at Jamestowne, my wife and I decided to take the long way home through Isle of Wight County and stopped again at the Smithfield Inn, this time for dinner.  The place has never failed to be consistently 5-star, and last night's visit was no exception.   After being seated and warmly greeted by our server Henry, we began to relax after a long day in the field with a drink, and a look at the constantly changing menu.  We both couldn't resist their She Crab soup as our appetizer, and I still rate it among the top three in Tidewater --- and one of the very few that doesn't try to over-dramatize the dish by adding too much sherry.  My wife's  pan-seared scallops were served with a creamy hominy concoction, further seasoned with fresh basil and saffron oil --- just wonderfully delicious.  I had the crab cakes, and they were unique, and equally delicious.  Almost 100% lump crab, lightly seasoned with fresh herbs and onion, and held together for broiling with a delicious light corn roux --- an unbelievably moist and rich preparation of the cake.  After broiling, Chef drizzled the crab cakes with a sweetened balsamic reduction, which added a splash of sour to the rich and flavorful crab cake that was totally unexpected, wonderfully inventive, and just plain delicious.  Add some fresh succotash and a couple of lightly fried green tomatoes, and the completed dish was just outstanding.  I had no room for dessert, but my wife's coconut creme brulee was quickly finished, and  brought a big smile to her face.
In addition to their outstanding food preparation, the Smithfield Inn continues to be a place where you are welcomed almost as a family member, and are made to relax and enjoy your visit through constant personal attention.  Without a reservation, the restaurant's longtime hostess somehow found a table for us, at 6:30 pm on a Saturday, in the Main Dining Room.  With a full dining room, our server Henry started his service by placing our napkins in our laps, chatting for two or three minutes about the new bluegrass group playing at the Inn's Sunday Brunch (we're both banjo pickers, which he remembered from a previous visit), and only then took our drink orders and reviewed the evening's menu with us.  And, at an adjacent table, we again had a nice visit with one of the city's ex-Mayors and her husband, whom we had met  by chance while out walking on a previous day trip.  In addition to being extremely well fed, as we drove home we both felt like we had had a really pleasant visit with old friends and family --- a real rarity in our dining experiences, and something that continues to bring us back to the Smithfield Inn, again and again.
Mother's Day brunch here was superb! Â Good Southern cuisine, lovely atmosphere, and great company. Â We left here full and happy. Â I will piggyback on Ross M's review and mention the one reason it didn't get 5 stars from us--the incorrect bill. Â Once is slightly understandable...but twice? Â Other than that snaffoo, I'd love to come here again and sample the Sunday Brunch menu.
Review Source:We REALLY enjoyed our lunch at the Inn for Mother's Day... between my wife,my daughter and I we consumed the following items:
Smithfield ham, fried green tomatoes, home made pickles, champagne peace soup, she crab soup, beef short ribs with mushroom bread cake, lobster cake, cheese fried grits, spiral ham, hummingbird cake..whew. Â GREAT food.
One negative, however - it took them three tries to get my bill right. Â First time the bill was for 40 dollars more than I though: turned out to be the bill for the table next to us. Next bill: 20 dollars much - added two desserts we didn't order. Â Third time they got it right. Â I feel they should have taken the dessert off the bill but they didn't bother to.
So we have been to this place in the past and really loved it. We had dinner and brunch and at that point thought we would return without a doubt. For Christmas I Â thought this would be a great little getaway so I booked a room at the inn and was looking forward to dinner as was my husband.
When we arrived we loved the room ( Captain Mallory Todd room) though we noticed it was alittle chilly in our room. We didn't think much as there was a fire place in the room and we were going right to dinner. We went to dinner and I was really looking forward to the duck. I had it last time we were there, we have sent friends to have it at the Inn, everyone  we have sent there has loved it. When I looked at the menu I was sad to see the duck was gone. It was a mild disappointment and the She Crab soup and the Southern Tasting made up for it.
After dinner we went back up to our room to relax. When we went inside it was cooler still. I tried to work the thermostat, my husband tried to work the thermostat, we called downstairs for help and no one would answer. We lit the fire place and because it is a gas fire place it is more for looks than heat. We finally decided to go to bed and warm up no problem we thought. 3am came and it was a problem! It was freezing!! In the morning we went downstairs to ask if someone could help us with the thermostat an NO ONE knew how to help us. The person service breakfast said she needed to call her manager, housekeeping had no idea, no one ever came to help us. Â The bathroom was even colder and we couldn't get the water to warm up at all. It was so cold our hands hurt when we washed our hands and face. It was way to cold to shower. My husband and I sat with our coats on and the door open till check out. It would have been a good trip had it not been for the freezing cold bedroom and no one to help us. My husband calls it the Big Chill Trip! Â It really was. I am really disappointed and saddened. It was a Christmas present gone wrong for sure. If you go and your room is cold ask immediately for it to be taken care of or you will wake up an ice cube.
Drove out to Smithfield this weekend, just because it's there and we were needing an excuse to get out of the house. Â Having heard good things about the New Orleans Brunches at the Smithfield Inn our lunch choice was easy.
Great looking place, looks upscale, but has absolutely no pretension about it (I was in shorts and flip-flops, and was not the only one). Â Service was fast and friendly.
I had a couple firsts here. Â My first Brunswick Stew that did not come from a Dinty Moore can (delicious) and Bananas Foster served flambe table-side (see the pics, sorry for the blur, but I was diving for cover). Â Quite the show, lots of jealous faces around us...but I think the waiter lost an eyebrow. Â
We will have to come back for a full dinner, maybe even do the bed and breakfast thing.
First time to Smithfield and was enchanted by the beautiful homes that seem to be everywhere. Smithfield Inn is right downtown, excellent walks in all directions including a well maintained trail that winds through a gorgeous wooded area. I had lunch at Smithfield Inn and enjoyed the double dose of Crab. Â A delicious crab chowder followed by crab cakes that are not the kind you get out of a box. Â Made to order private breakfast was incredible as was the personal service. Â I love the Smithfield ham. I only stayed one night but would have loved to stay longer. I will definitely go back when I get the chance. Â Room was large and well appointed. Frig, wi-fi, shower, very comfortable bed and a gas fireplace that was perfect for the fall weather. Â The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is the cleaning people started vacuuming outside my room at a rather early hour which I thought was very odd - especially since the floors were exceptionally clean- I just couldn't understand why they would do that.
Review Source:Not one single complaint! I was in town for a funeral service and stayed at this perfect inn. It almost made me forget why I was here. Staff so professional and nice, super clean and well decorated, comfortable. In a nice area in downtown, perfect spot for morning run and to venture across the street to sat morning farmers market. The breakfast was delicious, bar was nice to have. Rave reviews!!!!
Review Source:I've known a lot of people who have had wedding receptions at The Smithfield Inn over the years, and it you've ever visited you can see why. This place is class all the way, with a historic feel. The restaurant and tavern are what makes this place fantastic! It is also an 'Inn' so if you feel the need to stay the night, there's no problem at all!
The food here is really awesome as well, they service Smithfield ham (of course) as well as plenty of other delectable dishes. There is also a garden area in which you can dine, it's great for a nice Spring or Fall day.
Totally cute bed and breakfast and restaurant. Lots of character. Not sure really why you would be in Smithfield. I guess it would be perfect for a stay-cation if you live in Hampton Roads.
My friends had a a very small wedding at the Smithfield inn, and their reception was held in the restaurant. It's really quaint inside, upscale with antique charm. Â The inn dates to 1752, but it's been remodeled and restored and lost a bit of that early colonial feel to its 1920s resurrection. There are lots of windows in the restaurant that give it an open feel and allow you to enjoy the gardens.
The food was very good, but we had heavy appetizers as part of the wedding reception. I'd like to go back for New Orleans brunch, but I honestly don't figure I'll ever have a reason to be back in Smithfield.
Of course, they serve Smithfield ham. I guess that's local, though definitely not grass fed or humane. Sorry, but I had to throw that bit of ugly truth in there.
The Smithfield Inn is an historic bed and breakfast located in Smithfield, VA. Â The Inn is quaint and full of antique charm. Â The entry features an autographed dinner plate signed by Paula Dean. Â The Inn is historically restored and has guest rooms, a restaurant, and tavern.
We dined outside in the garden area. Â The garden is lush and full of multiple varieties of flowers and shrubs. Â The setting is charming and comfortable, with overhead ceiling fans to keep the breeze flowing and the bugs to a minimum. Â
Traditional fare such as she-crab soup, onion rings, truffle fries, virginia ham yeast rolls, and other favorites are all available. Â Service was prompt and attentive. Â All food was freshly served and portions were generous. Â
The garden area is the perfect spot for a spring or fall outdoor dinner, lunch, or brunch. Â
Indoor dining room is decorated to period and extremely dark. Â Heavy tones and wall papers made for a much more formal-stiff feeling. Â (A little too over the top for me.)
However, the food is the same no matter where you are seated.
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