Smash Kitchen & Bar — Restaurant in Whitby

I've been meaning to write this review for some time now, my recent visit to The Keg reminded me to do it.

Usually when we come here, we get the signature Smash Burger. It is absolutely phenomenal. If you haven't had a smash burger before, it is two patties, but they are squished flat on the grill. This not only let's the burger cook a bit faster, but you get a perfect Maillard reaction along the edges. It is the peak way to cook a burger, in my opinion, and this restaurant does it perfectly, every time. I usually get it with brisket and goat cheese, but even without these toppings the burger get's a 10/10.

The last time I went, we got their blackened chicken. It was the best blackened chicken I have ever had. I just tried the blackened chicken from The Keg to compare, and it does not even come close. Both restaurants sell this dish for just over $30, however with Smash Kitchen, you won't be hungry afterwards, AND it tastes leagues better. Smash offers not a chicken breast, but some sort of pterodactyl breast or something. It was huge. 10/10.

I cannot praise them enough for the atmosphere they provide as well, and that is actually heavily supported by their service. It's a dark, sincere scene, perfect for a romantic evening. Furthermore, the staff there makes it feel like I'm having a direct conversation with the chef through the food. I don't know how else to describe it, honestly. From us getting a compliment from the chef on our order, to Jessica, the waitress that suggested my girlfriend have goat cheese cooked into the rice of her blackened chicken dish (which was incredible), to their timing of when to ask you if you're enjoying your food, it is just a perfect experience every time.

I'm writing this review not just because their food is great, but because they are consistently proving why they are one of my favourite dine-in spots. Their prices are fair, their food is superb and their service is wonderful. Thank you, Smash Kitchen & Bar, for opening within driving distance of me.

TL;DR: Just go here. It's in the Landmark plaza, you were going to see a movie anyways, just...

We arrived with reservations for 7:15. We were seated and served water and pop and then it began. We sat, and waited, and sat, and continued to wait until 8:25pm when I decided enough was enough. We had movie reservations for 9:05. I specifically chose 7:15 reservation on open table app in order to give us almost 2 hours to enjoy our meal before the movie. I had to get the manager to come over and express how disappointed and embarrassed it was to have my friend's husband come for the first time and wait for his meal that had still yet to arrive. The manager said she was going to "see what she could do" about our meals and she could understand how frustrated we would be. She proceeded to say that the kitchen was slammed because of a party they were having. She proceeded to ask if we wanted the bill so we could go as soon as we were finished eating. I said can we get our meal first please and focus on that before we just have to leave without eating. She left and the food started to come. The food came one meal at a time, and when it did arrive it was warm and not hot. The waitress came back and asked if we wanted our bills so that we could leave as soon as we were done eating. I again said let us just have our time and enjoy our meals. After we ate and scarfed own our food we ended up leaving at 9: 02. We were not able to finish our meals before we left. The manager ended up comping our food and we got vouchers to try again another time. At this time I'm extremely upset that we had the night we did. I'm not sure when we will go back. Please note: Bridget our server was FANTASTIC. she was truly the reason we chose not to walk out when the food continued to take forever to arrive. She was pleasant and tried her very best to ensure we had as great an experience as we could given the circumstances. Thank you from all of us Bridget. You...

We made a reservation for November 14th as this was our first time experiencing the restaurant for 7pm. Upon arrival, the hostess was pleasant and the first impression of the atmosphere felt positive until we sat down. 10 minutes or so had passed by until we noticed that no one had come to our table to greet us and apply the service practice by starting us off for our dinner experience. I then got up to go ask the hostess if someone could come visit us and take our F&B order, only to learn that there was only one server servicing the bar and the whole restaurant by herself. When I probed further to gain clarity, I learned that the manager (Evan) was nowhere on the floor helping and the staff member said they don’t come and serve and that we are short staffed this evening.

After 15 minutes of arrival, we decided to checkout and walk over to another restaurant as there was no way that one staff member was going to successfully service 15 scattered tables as well as make drinks and deliver a seamless experience.

We are disappointed as we would have liked to try the food and decompress from a long day prior. I think the team missed a few opportunities this evening. One being, that we should have been informed at check in that they were short staffed, giving us the opportunity to decide if we wanted to stay or not. Secondly, the fact that a leading manager is not on the floor and supporting their team on an evening like this was a huge missed opportunity.

We wish we could have experienced the establishment, however, going forward, we won’t be coming back as first impressions are everything. Especially when there is so much choice, and with the high cost of food pricing while dining out, restaurants should apply appreciation to their customers when they choose their place of eatery.

I hope this helps future consumer...