The Smith — Restaurant in Washington

We have had great experiences at the Smith before, which made tonight's experience all the more disappointing. We apparently fell through a very deep crack relative to service.

We arrived at a time when it did not seem busy (We are usually there when it is busier) and were seated right away, but it took a while before a waiter stopped by. Getting our drink order in took awhile and then our waiter seemed to have simply vanished. Our daughter just wanted an appetizer but (wisely) decided to bail because it was taking so long to get our order in and to even get our drinks. The first waiter took our drink order and promised to bring us bread, then seemingly disappeared (we never saw him again). The waitress who delivered our drinks took our food order when we indicated that it had not yet been taken. We then waited a very long time for our appetizers to be delivered. (At that time we were told the new waitress was now our server.) The soup and calamari were tasty (although the soup could have been hotter), but the wait to follow for the main course was very long indeed. We asked for the promised bread which came relatively quickly along with some more water (I love how the Smith brings bottles of fizzy and still water to the table when you are seated), but we continued to wait for our main course. After we had been at our table for 1 hour and 10 minutes I went to the person at the host/hostess stand ànd asked if our main course could be delivered as a carry out. I do not know how long we would have waited had I not gone to the hostess. Our waitress then appeared and expressed surprise that we had not received our food. The manager then appeared with a to go bag with our entrees and a few free cookies to sweeten the apology (the cookies, which we tried when we got home, were tasty). I had to then ask for our bill which the waitress brought and at that time she noted that our two (pre-dinner) drinks were on the house well. She then promptly disappeared again and I once again had to approach the host stand to get someone to take our payment and yet a different waiter came to process our payment.

(We have had servers leave when their shift ended at other restaurants, but in those cases, we were told it was happening and were always introduced to our new server - a smooth transition. We seemed to have lost two during this visit.)

We have enjoyed our meals at the Smith in the past and have also had some great service there too (including during a very busy evening at the restaurant just a few weeks earlier). However, after this poor experience, it will likely be a very long time before we are willing to risk going again. We didn't have any pressing engagement, but we were hungry. There are a lot of other great food options in the neighborhood so it will be hard to forget our poor service experience tonight and give the Smith...

I recently had the pleasure of experiencing brunch at The Smith in DC, and let me tell you, it was an unforgettable culinary journey! From the moment I stepped in, I was greeted with a warm and inviting ambiance that set the perfect tone for a relaxed Saturday morning.

What caught my attention right away was the brunch menu, offering a delightful array of options. After careful consideration, I decided to indulge in their brunch special and three mouthwatering Bloody Marys. And let me just say, it was worth every penny of the $69.85!

The Bloody Marys were expertly crafted, each a masterpiece of flavors and presentation. The mix was perfectly balanced, providing just the right kick of spice and a refreshing burst of tomato goodness. The attention to detail in the garnishes was evident, adding a visually appealing touch to the drink.

As for the brunch itself, I opted for one of their signature dishes, and it did not disappoint. The flavors danced on my palate, and the portion size was generous without being overwhelming. The attentive staff ensured that my dining experience was top-notch, and I appreciated their knowledge of the menu and willingness to accommodate my preferences.

The ambiance of The Smith is noteworthy in itself. The combination of modern and rustic decor creates a cozy yet upscale atmosphere. Whether you're catching up with friends, enjoying a meal with family, or simply treating yourself to a solo brunch, The Smith's environment caters to all occasions.

While the cost might seem on the higher side, the quality and experience justify every cent. The total bill for the brunch and three Bloody Marys might sound steep, but the memories created and the culinary journey embarked upon are truly priceless.

If you're looking for a brunch spot that seamlessly blends excellent food, a welcoming ambiance, and impeccable service, The Smith in DC is an absolute must-visit. I'm already planning my next trip back to explore more of their menu offerings and to relive the delightful Bloody Mary experience!

Cheers to The Smith for an exceptional...

Came in at 9:30am for breakfast. The patio seating area had a number of patrons, but the main dining room was mostly empty. It was unclear if there was a host and if we should wait, but after a few minutes she returned from the patio and sat us inside. The bar was empty and there was no staff in sight. We looked over the menu which appears to have some great finds. As the minutes ticked on and there was still no staff in sight I couldn't help but notice the table across from us glancing around for their server while looking in their empty coffee cups and empty plates. After almost 15 minutes we were just getting ready to leave when our server appeared with house-filtered still and sparkling water and took our order, and told us she was sending biscuits over to 'tide us over' until our Eggs Benedict arrived. After about 10 minutes our eggs Benedict arrived before our biscuits and Bloody Mary's, the table which sat after us was thoroughly enjoying their biscuits so we asked if we could get some as well. Spoiler, we never got biscuits. Nearly 40 minutes after being seated our drinks arrived - which I noticed was the same as two other tables (coffee and drinks arriving after food was delivered and mostly consumed). The eggs Benedict was good, scant hollandaise sauce, but what was there was very good. The English muffin was more of a brioche but very good as well. The home fries were - at best left over from the day before, weren't even lukewarm when delivered which is concerning from a food safety perspective and when we dared, tasted like salty potatoes fried in rancid oil that had been used to fry fish all day. No bueno.

The bloody Mary's were adequate, but we thought tasted mostly like shrimp cocktail sauce with a dash of vodka.

Ultimately, not a great experience. The hostess was very nice, but they either need more servers or need to seriously retrain the ones they have. Do not...