Smyth thinks it's all that, and it's priced accordingly. I think the price is off, but I guess you're paying a premium for the only 3 star in Chicago right now. Stars or not, Smyth is good. But it's not ~$500 all-in per person good. It's more in the $250-300 range. We got free parking right outside on seemingly the only block in the area that is not zoned or pay-to-park, so that's another reason to go to Smyth.
A lot of reviews on Smyth complain about the overkill of certain flavors, but my main complaint is the silverware. I liked the food — I felt like they did umami and velvety-textures really well, and personally it wasn't overkill for me. There was a lot of gelatin-like sauces, which would've been fine, except the freaking pill-shaped spoon they give you is NOT effective in these situations. The silverware handles were also like toothpicks, so you just feel like an idiot most of the night pinching your spoon-ish spoon, trying to scoop wriggly and jiggly sauce into your mouth. For a $420 tasting menu, I need to feel like a king, not a court jester. I am a fool in my normal life, and I don't need to perpetuate that at a nice dinner.
The cocktails were also very very okay. There was absolutely no flair to me them, visually or otherwise. But then, one of the desserts had way too much flair it was almost gimmicky. I was eating ice cream off a literal birch twig. Just felt stupid… like a court jester.
The highlights for me were the umami-bomb dishes, including the trout donut, and the venison with blood sausage. Great, great red-meat dish. Service was attentive and friendly.
So, for two people, 3 drinks and 20% tip it was ~$1200. I would not go again, not because of the food, but because there are so many other great places nearby to visit for much less. The novelty of Smyth is now gone for me, but I am glad I went.
3-Star Worthy? Yes, but borderline. Every dish was good, a couple were great, and another couple were really great. The desserts didn't shine and the drinks were flat, but if we're 80% here for the food, the food held up.
Bonus content: while the silverware was an annoyance, the glassware was ELITE. The water glass was so thin, like magic. Great wine glasses too.
by mrmmmok3
2 Comments
I have to say, silverware complaints seem like a minor problem… until a restaurant really messes it up. 99/100 restaurants, it’s not a problem whatsoever.
I had an experience with a dull knife at a restaurant, on a wobly plate, and each cut of the protein was just me trying to bludgeon the meat, while not breaking the wobly plate. Very frustrating.
“I was eating ice cream off a literal birch twig” — straight from The Menu. We have arrived at the base camp of Mount Billshit 😆
Having said that, I’ve had my share of terribly pretentious “presentations” (dishes) … it’s a relief when something silly tastes great.