Went to Smyth for wife’s birthday. What an amazing night. The ambiance is very warm and comfortable. There are only 12 or 13 tables, very intimate setting. The kitchen is entirely open, so you have the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the entire experience.
The service is impeccable and it is a team approach. You interact with a number of staff and they are all warm, helpful, informative, and caring. There is nothing stuffy or forced about the service or staff. It is clearly genuine and fully customer centric.
The dinner is about two and a half hours in duration. We had 13 courses or menu samples by our count. All obviously prepared with great care and attention to detail. While most were delicious, you won’t love them all the same. But an important part of our experience was opening our palette to new dishes, ingredients and flavors. Smyth did not disappoint. Memorable night.
Congratulations on earning your third star! Our dinner was absolutely fantastic. Seafood was featured prominently and each dish was a masterpiece. With an open kitchen setting, it is always fun to watch the chefs work their magic. The vibe was unpretentious yet professional and refined. Well done and well deserved 3rd star!
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Smyth is now one of only 13 Michelin Three star restaurants in the nation.
Upon your confirmed reservation, Smyth emails you a questionnaire specifying food preferences and allergies.
Greeted at the door, Wendy led us to our table while passing the spotless open kitchens.
Smyth is modern yet warm with its understated interior that is filled with custom crafted walnut tables and chairs. Walnut utensils are surprisingly included in the creatively shaped wooden utensils that change from course to course. By the time of the 3rd course, I found myself awaiting the next creative course but also looking forward to the shape of the upcoming wooden utensil. As if almost a disappointment when replaced with stainless, however unusually shaped also. That's just the heightened awareness of what utensils are next, none the less what creative dish will be served.
The staff was tight, even recognizing by the second course that there was a leftie amongst us, placing the utensils on the proper side.
Views of the line cooks, staff and the Expedtitor (assuming the Trotter trained owner) is seen from all tables. Witnessing their tight rhythm, I found it unparalleled in our industry.
The tastings were thoughtfully creative while keeping in mind that one guest was a Pescatarian. Each course, with the exception of desserts, was placed atop the stone charger. The description of courses was thorough. At times, various cooks would come to the table and identify their dishes upon service. Offering a fully emersive dining experience.
In my opinion as a Savory over Sweet diner, the dessert courses topped all but one Savory dish. The New Potato and Pecan Ice-cream served in a custom walnut bowl was outstanding. As was The Cheeseburger shaped Corn Macaron with Paw Paw and Parsley that couldn't be beat. Chocolate Tart & Kombu didn't linger in your mouth as did the numerous Savory courses with various seaweeds.
A critique would be to offer more than one palate cleanser instead of the only one served during the tasting menu.
One of our three guests sampling the tasting menu chose to include the wine pairings. Wendy was knowledgeable when pouring. With only one wine dissapointing -the 2020 SRC Etna Rosso, although difficult to obtain.
A joy to have experienced Smyth and their pleasant staff!
I do take issue of receiving a tab for 3 guests of $1,300 (including 20% gratuity) and then to be asked to pool in extra money for the servers health benefits.
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I thoroughly enjoyed a wonderful evening with my party of 7 and was impressed at the 14-course meal at Smyth. On all dimensions Smyth delivered outstanding quality, of course for a premium price-point (making this more of a restaurant for special occasions). The following is an overview of the main reasons I enjoyed my evening at Smyth:
1. Service - shoutout to Alex for being a wonderfully attentive server. She and the staff more broadly were very accommodating to dietary requirements and always paying attention to our needs (even waiting until every guest's return before serving and presenting the dish).
2. The ambience is fantastic - from the comfortable waiting area at the reception, to the clean, individual, bathroom to the seating area all with line of sight to the open kitchen.
3. Of course, the food - all 14 courses were outstanding, my favorite were the smoked quail egg, the lobster coral custard, the blue fin tuna and the new potato and pecan ice cream. See the below pictures - well presented food and very tasty. The choice of drinks is equally diverse – I recommend the ‘juicy’ mocktail
I am happy to return to this fine establishment anytime and commend the staff on a great job.
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Reserved a table the night they announced they had received their 3rd Michelin star. Went to Smyth as a party of 4 friends and due to Chicago traffic we were almost 1 hour late for our reservation, they waited on us, no questions asked. The ambiance is very warm and comfortable. The overall atmosphere is relatively casual compared to similarly upscale restaurants. They only have 12-15 tables so it is very intimate.
The kitchen is completely open so you have the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the experience. The dinner lasts about two and a half hours. We had 13 courses on their tasting menu:
- Truffle Waffle
- Maine Uni & Wasabi
- Bluefin Tuna & Hibiscus
- Lobster Coral Mousseline
- Lobster Soup & Seaweed
- Avocado & Fig Leaf
- Dungeness Crab & Almond
- Butternut Squash & Sikil Pak
- Maine Unagi & Blade Kelp
- Smoked Quail Egg
- Duck Liver & Chestnut Custard
- Aged Duck & Quince
- Koji Cheese & Foie Gras Doughnut
- Hojicha & Marquis Grapes
- New Potato & Pecan Ice Cream
- Corn Macaron, Pawpaw & Parlsey Kombu & Dark Chocolate Tartlet
We like a stories about each course and that they tell you where the ingredients come from.
Spent about $1900 for 4 people including 2 bottles of wine and 20% service charge. Memorable night for us!
This was my first visit to a Michelin star restaurant and it was quite the experience. This restaurant actually has two stars so that was even better. It was a nice, intimate atmosphere with impeccable service. Some food items I loved while some were just ok, but that’s the beauty of this unique dining experience. Everyone was extremely friendly and welcoming. The manager Chris was awesome! I was feeling very sad, at the verge of crying and ruining my makeup and he saved the day. He brought me the best cocktails and made this experience one to remember. I’m so glad that I was blessed to have this experience❤️
I don’t have the words to describe the amazing experience my girlfriend and I had at Smyth. The team we had the good fortune to be with last night were kind, welcoming, knowledgeable, and professional but informal when needed. They have truly earned the recent recognition for excellence. We look forward to coming back!
This place provides great service and has an awesome atmosphere for a date night (expect to spend around 2-3 hours here).
Dishes are very aesthetically pleasing, flavor and texture are very diverse and creative, but also means you might not like every single course. I have been to this place twice, some dishes I like but some not so much. My overall impression and experience are positive and memorable but only a few dishes out of all stand out.
If you like to explore something new or would like to be surprised, you will sure enjoy this place. On the other hand, if surprises are not for you, there are other options in the area for the similar price range.
Wow! This was such an incredible meal. I went for the full chef's tasting menu back in March and it was one of the best meals of my life. The different flavors that I tasted here were so unexpected and unique, truly unlike anything else that i've ever tasted. I love how there were so many different savory courses as well as desserts, most places only give 2 but there were 5 different desserts if you include the brioche baba (a transitional dish between savory and dessert), which was one of my favorite courses ever. There is so much creativity that goes into the dishes here, everything is plated so uniquely and Smyth is really pushing the boundaries of flavor.
It's pretty hard to pick favorites but if I had to then a few of them would be, Rice Koji Porridge,Nantucket Bay Scallops, Dungeness Crab, Barbecued Ainan Tai, American wagyu ribeye, and Brioche Baba
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Smyth in Chicago is an absolute gem of the culinary world! The moment you step into this elegant establishment, you are welcomed with warm hospitality and an inviting ambiance.
The tasting menu at Smyth is a true celebration of creativity and craftsmanship. Each dish is a masterpiece that showcases the chef's passion for using the finest seasonal ingredients. The flavors are thoughtfully balanced, and the presentation is nothing short of art on a plate.
The attention to detail in every aspect of the dining experience is commendable. From the exquisite table settings to the impeccable service, every moment at Smyth feels like a special occasion.
The knowledgeable and friendly staff enhances the experience by providing insights into the dishes, ingredients, and preparation techniques.
I had the pleasure of savoring dishes that were both familiar and innovative, all while being surprised by delightful culinary twists.
Smyth offers an intimate and immersive dining experience that transports you to a world of gastronomic wonder. Though it may be a fine dining experience, the atmosphere is relaxed, making it perfect for celebrating milestones or simply indulging in exceptional cuisine.
For a dining adventure that you'll cherish for a lifetime, Smyth is undoubtedly deserving of 5 stars. I can't wait to return for another unforgettable culinary journey! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I was lucky enough to have my birthday dinner here, it was an absolutely gorgeous meal and lovely lovely experience. I appreciate the staff for their attentiveness and expertise. I was here by myself and they made it a very special night for myself. The open kitchen was a great touch, you feel at home here.
Dinner was spectacular. I really loved and appreciated the seafood menu. My favorite was almond milk hazelnut crab, what a great creation. We would love to come back for more interesting tastings.
Literally the best food I've ever eaten. Been to Alinea twice, Boka, Next, and none of those come close to the taste of the food here. The egg tart and strawberry mochi was divine. They made our anniversary so special and so delicious. Definitely coming back many more times.
EDIT: CONGRATULATIONS ON THE THIRD STAR! WELL DESERVED!!
Fantastic meal and even better staff. Hospitality is king here. We felt like we were dining with our funniest, warmest friends. Wine pairing was a knock out and had zero pretensions. One dish was a little off and in place like this you tend to notice. ( tuna and oysters just didn’t work for our table). A strong go and enjoy recommendation.
Went there for our anniversary and had a fantastic experience. Their timing was impeccable--when we finished one plate they gave us just the right amount of time to enjoy and relax, then they brought the next one. They made a special drink for my wife and daughter. Also the best Old Fashioned I've ever had in my life! The dishes we had were unique, creative, and delicious. Very happy we chose Smyth and hope to be back soon!
One of our good friends got us a meal here for a wedding present because they know how much we love food and without a doubt this was the one present we both loved exactly the same amount which was SO MUCH! one of our favorite tasting menus we have had in Chicago. It is a must! We had about 20ish courses and each one just as amazing as the last if not better, I was stuffed 2/3rds of the way though but I could not stop eating. I kept saying it's just one more bite.
The drink pairings were also perfectly picked in regards to the course, if you are coming here to celebrate an special occasion definitely recommend getting the pairings it just adds a little more to your special night out!
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