Smia restaurant & catering AS — Restaurant in Kristiansund

A popular destination for tourists and other people over the age of 45. Cozy atmosphere in a house filled with stories. The menu has a sensible list of food and drinks, but that is where the good first impression ends.

The place promotes local products but doesn't seem to eager to do them justice. The starters and desserts can be ok at best, but when you order the main courses or a glass of wine, that is where the greed or lack of skills (perhaps both) starts to show.

Nice red-wine glasses on the tables where everything goes into them. The white wines are too cold, the red wines are too warm, the prices are too high for the amount of volume compared to the quality in the glasses. I will recommend the local beers at this place.

The staff are friendly and smiling, but they always seem to have one thought at the time and they seem to be rushing back and forward for things that are not urgent. And simultaneously not looking around if anyone is trying to get their attention.

When asked about any recommendations, they mention that one thing on the menu is "good". When asked about recommendations regarding something to drink with the food, you will get questioned about your preference of sweetness in a white wine or if you like to drink other things such as red wine, beers or sodas. Apparently, the place was recently authorized to be a member of "Norske Akevitters Venner" (Norwegian Aquavit's Friends). Strangely enough, nothing of aquavit was mentioned on the menu or by the waiters.

The food is something similar with the service. First impressions are good but falls quickly afterwards. The prices for the main courses are close to big city prices. The proteins such as fish or meat are ok in quality and taste. Just need some love & care. The vegetables are mostly baked, pickled or mushed. The baked vegetables are soggy in texture, needs seasoning, scrumpy-looking and booring. Re-heated vegetables it seems. The pickled vegetables are soft and slightly acidic. And that is what pickled vegetables should be, but are placed with other stuff where they do not have a purpose. All main courses are served on small plates where most of the stuff are stacked on top of eachother. Except for the stews or the soups..

Sauces are usually with the fish. Sometimes with other things. I don't see why they don't add any more tapenades, sauces or seasoned butter with the prices they are putting on their food. And my goodness.. canned mushrooms in cream! Canned mushrooms on a main course for 365kr is just rude.

They asked how we are enjoying the food. I said "okei", and before I could say anything else they quickly walked away saying "GREAT!". I ate the whale meat wich tasted nice, but the rest booring.

Dessert for my companion, coffee for me. The dessert came first. I asked for my coffee and was told they had to make it first. And just a moment later it arrived.

There are two chefs who runs this place, and they seemingly have many years of experience in a kitchen. Too bad one does not experience their full potential.

The coffee was on the house, since they noticed I wasn't pleased with the food. Free coffee as an apology, served with no apologies. The feeling you are left with is like butter scraped on too much bread.

My hope is that this place can take this criticism and use it too improve itself. Getting negative feedback is not always appreciated when you work hard, long hours in the evenings and weekends. I just wish they can be among the best restaurants...

We enjoyed the food very much. Both the starters as well as the main dishes (local, Norwegian specialities). It is a nice, cosy restaurant. The service though was quite poor. Already at the entrance we had to wait for minutes while the waiter was passing us twice without saying a word. Also at the table, the fodd was not served in a friendly way. When we asked for the bill, the waiter asked “cash or card?”. We wanted to pay with a credit card. Then the waiter tried the old trick by asking if we could pay cash because of a problem with the machine. We could not and were surprised because earlier we saw other guests paying with a card. After a couple of minutes the waiter came back with machine, without an explanation, and we paid without a problem. This was a disapointing aspect of a...

We were here during an overnight stay on the parking lot nearby. The restaurant has limited (in the best sense of meaning) fish dishes. So no complicated selection process but if you have someone with you, e.g. a kid, who refuses fish it might not be the best place. The food itself was fantastic. Well spiced and very aromatic fish. The interior is quite old, some hundred years or so and had a great atmosphere. As North Germans we know fish and they really know what they do. Thanks for a...