Came to celebrate a professional milestone and hoping to toast with high quality f&B and views over the city. It delivered half of that - on arrival, it took awhile for anyone to greet us and take our names from the reservation and that individual didn't make eye contact the entire time. Up to the rooftop in the lift, and the doors open onto a beautiful light filled long space. Unfortunately there were a couple parties crowded around the lift and made it once again a challenge to understand where to go to be seated. We were hoping to be placed closer to the window (and away from the crowds standing around the bar), but instead were seated as close as possible to them. As such, ambiance was not great. Service was uneven, the server was not incredibly helpful. Despite all this, food was excellent. We ordered a dry martini and the jalapeño margarita which was perfectly punchy with a spicy rim. Those came halfway through our meal, again question mark as the bartenders didn't seem particularly occupied. We had the pickled anchovies to start - a beautifully plated and yummy plate. Then the scallops and sea trout tacos, followed by the maitake mushrooms and venison w rhubarb compote. The food was generally outstanding but the trout was deceptive. Rather than an actual taco, it came on a leaf so rather than getting a nice crunchy bite, it was just a tartare that had no textural contrast. In comparison the mushrooms were so varied and flavourful and complex. My husband also found the venison a bit bland next to the others. All in all, what they did well was memorable, but where they fell down it became distracting. Would still return for the good bits! read more

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Came here for a couples date night and I was impressed by the food. As for the location, I think this would be more of a work lunch or dinner spot as the upstairs has a very stiff type of feeling with the white tablecloths and brighter lighting but nevertheless I did enjoy the meal. We started with cocktails downstairs which had dim lighting and a more relaxed vibe. As for the food, we ordered a number of items which I need to look back at all the pictures to remember. Having said that, everything was really good including the wine and cocktails. The item that stood out for me was the côte de boeuf which was cooked perfectly and seasoned well. I do recommend coming here but just be mindful that the ambiance upstairs is more formal. My review is based purely on the food. Happy eating! read more

Smiths Of Smithfield - Côte de boeuf - British Near Me - London, XGL

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Pictures of food look better than the one served. Waitress with no experience or very little urging us to order appetizers because main course would take long to be served . Ordered tartare venaison or??? So tiny no flavor Cut of tomahawk pork chop not tomahawk slim And fatty , pepper corn sauce tasteless Veal porterhouse not porterhouse horseradish sauce no flavor not spicy Coffee served without cream or sugar had to ask No apology manager asked me to get up and choose my own cut of meat from fridge display Overall pricy, food mediocre, portions small, didn't offer any complimentary whatsoever not that I needed but pretentious setup and lack of everything Highly rated but not for me And respectfully over 30 years in fine dining travelling the world Room to improve hopefully Good luck! read more

A hetero meat market of an establishment located adjacent to a literal meat market, serving up meat. Of both literal -and- figurative varieties. SOS probably isn't a place I'd spend a lot of time on the regular, but I was famished, it was open on a Sunday afternoon, and they had an irresistible bacon cheeseburger with chips on offer that I couldn't refuse. The ground floor is a giant open space that one might expect to find in a club. The first floor is another matter - the décor is kicked up a notch, involving lots of wood. A long bar extends the length of the room, and this evening there was a massive table in the back already set up with a set menu for a group of likely 20-30 people. And that burger? Thoroughly massive and satisfying, although the interpretation of 'medium' done apparently errs more toward the 'well' end of the spectrum. No matter, the chips (with a healthy variety of mustard, mayo, and ketchup) made up for it. I'd shy away from the chocolate cake if you're not a huge fudge fan - it was effectively like eating a giant slab of chocolate atop a square of fudge. Heavy and decadent beyond reason. Plus, the Chantilly cream turned out to be a scoop of ice cream, instead. I probably should have opted for the apple and almond tart instead. SOS doesn't tick all my boxes, but on the whole, I'd be willing to come back if someone suggested it. I -am- grateful to have a legit, acceptably-priced (£13.50) burger in the area, though. read more

Smiths Of Smithfield - Breakfast #4 - British Near Me - London, XGL

Had lunch on the top floor with some coworkers and had a lovely time. The top floor has a completely different vibe than that of the lower floors (i.e. feels much stuffier, but the view is better) and significantly fewer people were eating up there. It was a beautiful sunny day, we definitely lucked out. I started with the Tempura Courgette Flower. Oh my gosh, it was so so so good!!!!!!! I loved the warm melted goat cheese. It went so well with the sauce and yum! I normally don't like tempura but they did a great job of making a thin light tempura batter that perfectly complemented the goat cheese. My friend and I then split the Limousin Sirloin and Cornish Lamb Rack. It was way too much food for us to finish, but good. The lamb was a little too fatty for me, but I loved the tomatoes and flavoring. The sirloin was hearty and cooked perfectly. We also had some of the side salads, which was the perfect complement to all that meat. For dessert, I ordered the Baked Alaska. I'd been meaning to try one since watching The Great British Bake Off. In the show, there are different flavors of ice cream, a checkered pattern, and it looks quite complex. The one I received was vanilla ice cream covered in lemon meringue with a biscuit on the bottom. It was still good, but much less exciting (it tasted exactly the way it sounds) and the ice cream wasn't melted enough (good thing we were in the sun). Service was friendly and professional, but slow. My water was rarely refilled and they seem to really want you to have a nice long leisurely meal so dishes are spaced out quite a bit. I think we spent over two hours there. If I come back, I'm definitely getting more of that Tempura Courgette Flower. read more

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Bloody hell! This is a brunch spot with a proper brunch. Yup, that made sense in my head. But seriously this place knows what they are doing. Great cheesy music (so you kinda feel like it's still the night before), pancakes, eggs, bloody marys... Mmmmm... BLOODY MARYS. Seriously, this is as close to an American diner that you're going to get in the area. It's awesome. I'm hungry just thinking about it. read more

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Craving veggie burgers but not a long walk from our office, we came here on the promise of a "Smith's Cheesy Veggie Burger, Tomato Chutney, Sesame Bun and Chips." Even at midday this is clearly a firm favourite with City boys, including the two sat next to us who ordered breakfast for lunch (we would later be struck with strong food envy.) My crispy, well seasoned chips delighted me far more than my veggie burger which was so lacking in texture it made me think it was more appropriate for the small children in my life who don't yet have all of their teeth. I left underwhelmed but couldn't help thinking this was probably more my unfortunate ordering than anything else. After all, SOS is situated just opposite the largest and oldest meat market in London... read more

It's difficult to know how to approach a review for Smiths, as it's very much an acquired taste. We've been here many times, at different times of day and during busy and quiet times. Our overall impression is that, yes, it seems a couple of quid more than other places on average, but the food is also above average, albeit simple fare such as bacon butties and porridge. Its industrial appearance gives away its heritage (it was a building that stood empty for 40 years before being given a makeover), and it feels like you could be in New York. You could be mingling with families, bikers and city slickers when you visit, and the staff will make sure you get as good as anyone in terms of service quality, which is casual and friendly. You simply can't beat the porridge, which doesn't feel microwaved (I'm imagining a large cauldron that's lovingly prepared by an oat expert with a big stick). Toast is chunky, tea is tea-y and the bacon is generously piled between two blankets of what feels like homemade bread (or at least bought in from a decent bakery). So, because we always love coming here, and it lacks pretentious airs and graces, and does a fantastic porridge with banana and honey, it gets top marks. We'll forgive the tart orange juice. (Please note that this review is based on our downstairs experience. We haven't been upstairs yet.) read more

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Don't do it. I know. The pictures look great. There's a great view from the top floor. There aren't a lot of options in the neighborhood. Still, please, don't do it. It's airport quality food with terrible service from people who seem absolutely annoyed that you dared to dine there. I stay in the neighborhood so I keep trying. Today on my third experience, I implore you. Go some place else. read more

It's a school canteen for adults. The food is basic no-frills fare, the ambiance is loud and bustling and the seating is plentiful. I had the chicken burger which wasn't half bad. Did a bit of a half-and-half swap with JB's pulled pork sarnie and we agreed the burger definitely won with its hint of garlic mayo. The pulled pork was a little dry and bland. The food won't blow your mind but it also won't disappoint if you're hungry and in the mood for something quick and fried. I do, however, have an issue with the open-plan kitchen. For me this is a real no-no. Just when they ban smoking and you revel in not smelling like other people's cigarette smoke they bring in the open-plan kitchen and you end up smelling like their lunch instead. Fail! read more

Smiths Of Smithfield - Chicken burger - British Near Me - London, XGL

Smiths of Smithfield has undergone a few facelifts since it opened in 2000 next to the Smithfield meat market. Spanning across four floors and hosted in a Grade II listed building, it's always boasted impressive environs with modern-industrial-chic details. The ground floor is a bustling hub that dishes out a satisfying and straightforward menu in a casual setting. There are two additional restaurants with more exquisite modern British fare on the upper floors, including a rooftop dining space with panoramic city views. A short walk from Farringdon station, it's a catch-all venue where you can either grab a drink after work, or can dig into a succulent fillet steak in more opulent ambiance. Or you could do both- it only requires migrating between floors. I admittedly hadn't visited Smiths in over five years until this week. During our last call, we popped in for brunch in the days when John Torode was still owner and overseer of operations- in fact, he was lurking around the restaurant that very afternoon, entertaining family and acquaintances sitting adjacent to our table. Since then, Torode has parted company with Smiths and the business has pulled its socks up- especially the first floor space, which was once a tapas bar, then a cocktail lounge, but now reinvented as a craft beer bar, the Craft Market. We revisited Smiths, lured in by an event that was taking place at the Craft Market. I'd been tempted by the 'Meet the Brewery' evenings promoted on social media in the past- some laudable London independent breweries were advertised, including Brixton Brewery, East London Brewing Company and Canopy Brewing Co- but I'd never managed to make the journey. Frankly, I've been let down by a glut of City establishments promoted as 'craft beer bars' due to appalling service by staff with no knowledge of their range or gusto at all. Because of such discouraging experiences, I'd erroneously tarred Smith's with the same brush. We were pleasantly surprised on our visit in August 2016. There to support a friend's event, we lingered for the entire evening and chatted with servers, bar staff and the Operations Manager. One point was immediately apparent: they had a bona fide passion for beer. The hirsute gentleman running the bar had a dry sense of humour and knew the bar's range inside out. He assured us that he personally curated the selection available- and it was a good balance of the classics (Sierra Nevada, Blue Moon, Camden) with the independents, including a selection from Hammerton, Redchurch, London Beer Factory, Kernel and Partizan but to name a few. The copious bottle selection dominates the room, positioned against the wall behind the bar like a magnificent example of modern art. Bottles can be taken away or swilled onsite- naturally, there are chilled, ready to drink vessels in the fridges- and there's a rotating pick served on draught. For £15, you can pick up 6 bottles to take home in a carrying case, which is both convenient and affordable if you work in the area. Otherwise, the bar itself is cosy, friendly and urbane; we were there on a Wednesday night and there were a few other groups, but the atmosphere was comfortable and relaxed. We even had a decent burger, chips and a pint of the guest draught for a tenner- it was promptly delivered to our table, meaning that we could continue to graze on the beer menu without having to relocate to a different floor for sustenance. Speaking with the Operations Manager, he informed me that they have big plans for further meet the brewer events at the Craft Market down the line- I was asked what beers I was currently drinking from London breweries and it transpires that the first I mentioned- my local haunt, Howling Hops- was due to be stocked at the bar in the coming weeks. I can confidently say that I'll be returning to Smiths, especially once more events are announced- the space is the perfect size for a quiet post-work beer. The advantage of having more than one bar in the building allows this area to concentrate on independent breweries, which can be enjoyed in a unexpectedly convivial atmosphere. Paired with friendly and conversant staff, this floor of Smiths is really a gem- and you'll be seeing even more breweries on their shelves soon. It pains me to spread the word because I'd like to keep this place in my back pocket, especially given the blight of decent drinking venues in the area, but I'm feeling generous after having a few great beers. read more

Smiths Of Smithfield - British Near Me - London, XGL

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A great gathering place for the workers around Barbican/Farringdon area and I came on a Friday where the place was packed. Sat on the ground floor and drinks arrived pretty fast but food took at least 40 minutes to come out. Nevertheless, the waiters were friendly, the food was pretty good and I would come back again - but I would make sure that my boss knows I'm having a long lunch! read more

Smiths Of Smithfield - British Near Me - London, XGL

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I've tried the top floor, and used to frequent the bottom one, so here goes: Downstairs, very serviceable breakfasts served to a suitey crowd Monday to Friday; good, but there are other places in this neck of the woods that will do you a meatier repast for less money, and in less of a Dragon's Den style of surroundings. Top floor, very average lacklustre service and inoffensive menu contents, which barely nod in the direction of the meat market (as in market for meat) across the road ( rather than Fabric, next door). In summary, an overblown , upmarket version of Whetherspoons for the undiscerning food-fancier. read more

Holy cow this place is awesome but expensive. To start, the cocktails are phenomenal. I got a gin order and he a rum-based one. Mine had the distinct taste of lime which cut into the gin nicely and my husband's raspberry tipple was incredibly sweet. He liked it and they are too easy to suck down! As for the meals, I ordered the Jerusalem Artichoke, Ricotta & Pine Nut Pithivier, Wild Mushroom Sauce (v) for 14 1/2 pounds and he got the 9oz South Devon Rib Eye, Chips, Mustard Mayo for 23 pounds My dish was PHENOMENAL.Holy cow. Holllllllllllly cow. Rich, creamy sauce with thick raviolis bursting with mushroom essence. I closed my eyes several times while eatng. My husband said his dish was OK- nothing spectacular. I also go the BOMBAY FIZZ-Devaux Champagne, Bombay Gin, Passion Fruit Puree, Gomme for 12 pounds. Went down way too quickly again! For dessert, we split the Chocolate Delice, Pistachio Sauce, Chocolate Biscuit for 6 1/2 pounds. I again closed my eyes at the first and consecutive bites. One of the best chocolate desserts ever? Quite possibly. Also the Pecan Pie, Chantilly Cream, Rum Toffee Sauce for 7 pounds is possibly the best pecan pie I have tasted since the States. Service was hit or miss- I had to go up to the hostess table to get an initial server. At times a separate one checked in on us and other times, we were ignored. read more

Here I am at one of the greatest meat markets in the World. I get plenty of great beef locally in the large cities nearby. They had a pork t-bone. I was looking for old school pork with some fat. I asked several times to make sure the pork would be cooked medium. I wanted to see pink. I was assured this would be the case. The pork comes out WAY over cooked. I asked about it, and the server said she'd ask the chef. The chef comes out. I tell the story while the others at the table agree I was pretty much over the top about wanting it pink. The Chef says that cooking it that way causes disease. It has to be well done. I'll skip the back and forth. In the end, he said he'd cook it that way, but take no responsibility for when I got sick. Even in the US, the USDA, the most conservative of groups, has dropped the temp for cooking pork from 160 to 145. So, in the end, decent pork. Nice wine. A great group of coworkers and clients to be with. That makes up for the cooking. read more

Any regular viewers of masterchef will recognise John Torode as the shouty Australian judge with a habit of articulating every vowel he speaks as slowly as possible. He is also however, the owner of Smith's of Smithfield (or SOS as they insist on branding everything). Smith's occupies five floors of a beautiful old building opposite the famous meat-market. If you're planning a visit you can apply the basic rule that the higher the floor you dine in, the more money you will pay for your food. This then explains why I've only ever been to the ground floor! Smith's is at its busiest during weekend brunch so expect to wait for at least twenty minutes if you arrive during these hours. Don't let this put you off though as there is an impressively stocked bar at the back of the room in which you are invited to wait for your table. Bloody Mary's and fruit smoothies seemed to be in endless supply here for the hangover crowd. The food here is good but not great- worth a visit if you're in the area but don't go out of your way to get there. Breakfast's are very popular and my boyfriend thoroughly enjoyed his even though a few items were a bit burnt. My pork sandwich with apple sauce and stuffing on the other hand was perfectly cooked but I had expected a little side salad or a few chips to justify its £5.40 price tag. Regardless of these small issues we still had a good time at Smith's. The room has a great atmosphere and between its breakfasts, sofa's, Bloody Mary's and smoothie's it is as though Torode himself is telling you to relax and enjoy your weekend hangover. read more

Smiths Of Smithfield - British Near Me - London, XGL

Went for a business dinner with my team. Great food. We all had a variety of food, ribeye, scallops, chicken.... Servers were very friendly and always made sure our drinks were full, attentive! Would recommend. They have multiple floors. All with different menus which I found very cool! read more

Smiths Of Smithfield - Sweets menu - British Near Me - London, XGL

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After a concert in Barbican Centre on a Friday you are a little bit out of the way for restaurants in the Barbican Area. We were a group of 6 people and decided to walk towards Farringdon not far off. Have lived in that area, I used to visit their famous meat market placed just opposite Smiths of Smithfield. What better business idea to open a very meaty restaurant, where you get the steak you not can buy in a supermarket. Generally as a rule, I try not to buy meat, as I always have been disappointed. It was no surprise when all of us stuck to the same main course: steak and fries! Can you imagine a table full of steaks? Heaven! And I was not disappointed, asked for medium rare and got what I wanted. I suggest you order a salad as a side - you do not want to look like someone who did not have vegetables for years! Why does that not come with the steak? We were seated in the second floor which is known for its good wine selection. The tables are out of dark wood and round. The big room is a mix between a pub and steak house. I would recommend making a booking. What I realised later is that there are several floors. The coffee, lounge on the ground floor, which has the newspapers of the day and offers sandwiches might be good to visit when making a trip to the market. read more

Smiths Of Smithfield - Second floor - British Near Me - London, XGL

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After wrestling through a crowd of rowdy all-nighters spilling out onto the sidewalk from the club next door, we came upon Smiths of Smithfield, directly across the street from Smithfield Market. We enjoyed a hearty breakfast on the ground floor. Interesting ambiance. Tables with low benches and stools. Industrial ceiling. Open kitchen. Loud hipster rock. Definitely a trendy vibe here. Service was a little slow, and the waiter a tad aloof. But both of our meals were delicious, with high quality meats from the market. I had the best Eggs Benedict I've ever had, with thick sliced ham and a smooth, savory hollandaise sauce. My husband enjoyed his poached eggs, bacon, sausage and beans on toast. A little pricey but still plenty of food to fill you up. read more

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I met a friend for an early breakfast on the ground floor of Smiths of Smithfield, on a Monday morning. I'd been wanting to try a proper breakfast there, and was glad for the chance to go. I liked it! The service was cheerful and efficient, and the tea was great. My Smiths All Day Big Breakfast, No. 2 was hearty and delicious. I also liked the open feeling of the ground floor space. It felt casual and fun at the same time. My only minor complaint was that the music was turned up a bit too loud for 7 a.m. on a Monday: it was a bit hard to hear my companion. It's a solid three stars, with a possible fourth after another visit. I hope to go back to try other floors, soon. read more

Very cool vibe, great music, trendy decor, cool staff. I had the tuna salad and it was delicious. Fresh and full of flavour. Would recommend. read more

Smiths Of Smithfield - Tuna Salad - British Near Me - London, XGL

MEAT MEat meAT mEAT MEat meAT mEAT MEAT meAT Smiths of Smithfield.* Didja get all that? Serving simple food at it's highest quality, there's not much you have to do to fancy up a 10oz Aberdeen Angus Sirloin that has been aged 28 days and likewise, SOS doesn't mess around with bells or whistles. Allowing the finest quality ingredients to speak for themselves, SOS gives diners four floors of venue options, ranging from the industrial bar and art space on the ground floor and rising up through warm wine rooms, open kitchens and exposed beams and bricks to the top floor fine dining room with skyline city views. To be honest, I don't even know why I'm still typing. Best meal in London says it all. These guys are a fully functional, working/dining meat market, so trust: *Eat meat at Smiths of Smithfield. read more

I was just thinking about where I'm going to get a hamburger in this newfound city home of mine, and recalled a meal I had at Smiths that deserves a review. Actually, 2. Actually 3. 1) A company dinner on the top floor. It was cripplingly expensive and I didn't pay, but it was so damn good that my piggy bank is earmarked. One word: STEAK. yeah, the dauphinoise potatoes were unbelievably good, my squid starter was melt-in-the-mouth, and no-one could work out how the dessert was humanly possible it was that amazing...... but the hunk of sirloin on my plate was still the star. It was around £30 which, I'm learning here in good old Chicago, a steaklovers' bankrupcy-in-waiting, is actually very reasonable. Ace view too. 2) Company Christmas do. It was better Christmas fare than you usually get but really, I can't citicise a single thing because in my drunken state, and at the goading of others, I asked the waitress at one stage to retrieve a small green plastic parachute man from the dustbin whence he had been inadvertently thrown. She actually did it. Another agreed to have black face paint applied to her face by a far-from-sober colleague. We love the staff. And the Christmas dinner had bread sauce - spot on. 3) A faraway (5 years+) meal on the first floor which was more affordable. There was nothing that made me question the laws of physics (as per top floor souffle), but the gnocchi I had for a starter began a two year relationship so they got something right. It was a disastrous relationship but i'm not even gonna knock a star off! That's how good it is here. read more

One of my faves in London! This place pretty much has it all, 4 floors including a large open space bar and different dining options ranging from a wine bar, casual to fine dining on the upper floors with amazing steaks which is hard to find in London. 1st floor: Large, roomy and casual seating where they serve Brunch, Lunch and then an awesome Bar hangout in the evenings. I heard a lot of great things about the Brunch, but have only been here in the evenings for the bar and dinner. There are lots of seating options from leather chairs, small tables, benches that accommodate any party size. Perfect place to meet up for drinks with friends or business clients. I like that it's big enough where you don't feel like a canned sardine and it's not so noisy that you can actually have a conversation with your mates. Upper Floors: Mmmmm...MEAT! *drool* Smithfield's owns and operates a huge wholesale meat market located across the street and boy do these guys know their meat! Depending what your mood is, there is casual style dining on one floor and a rooftop dining area if you want to go all out. Both have incredible menus featuring their amazing cuts of meat. Bookings are suggested for the dining areas, so I usually put my name in when we get to the bar for a later time. But if really want to get a table, you should call ahead. You would not want to miss out on the awesome food here! Love SOS...just writing this review makes me want to head over there right now read more

Shall we have a dirty burger? Oooh, come on then, if you insist. Smith of Smithfields has the advantage of being right next to Smithfields (must be where they get their name from, eh?), which means that their meat is really good, and really fresh. I've tried a lot of dishes from there: - Their Caesar Salad - not enough for a main meal - Chicken Burger - was "okay" but not amazing. And well, we always end up going with the burger, because why not. Served in a brioche bun, the burger is what you would expect of a burger. It's nice, and it hits the spot. I swap my chips for a salad - for which they are really generous and the dressing is yum. Perfect spot for a quick team lunch - that's probably why we always end up going back! read more

I've been coming here for years, for a late breakfast on weekends. The place is always buzzing, they play decent music, they have newspapers to read while you wait on the leather couches.The place is decorated with cool pictures of the Smithfield meat market porters hard at work overnight, already gone by the time I show up. I sometimes have corned beef hash and eggs, or sometimes the fish finger sandwich, which is to die for. Oh and it has the best urban traintrack view from the bathroom I've ever seen (a nice curve of the Metropolitan line tracks just below). read more

Friday night in the dining room. Went down the stairs to use the restroom, as I came back up I could hear the music on the ground floor. "iccccee iccccee baby........." I love when buildings can hold multiple environments in the same space. Ground floor bar was all clubby and packed to the gills. Next levels a wine room. And then our lovely dining room. Most of the food was excellent. The oysters made me think of home and many a summer nights at the beach. I absolutely didn't enjoy my french onion soup. Really really too sweet for me and meh. It's tasty but don't eat the bread if you're planning on ordering a starter and dessert along with your main. Must have desserts. Creme Brulee (bitch is huge!) and the sticky toffee pudding. Maybe just not at the same time when you've had a bunch of food already despite sharing everything with the rest of the table. I was uncomfortably full the rest of the night but it was so worth it. read more

Thanks to my dad's impeccable taste in restaurants (especially those suitable for a lengthy lunchtime booze session), I've been frequenting Smith's long before Mr Torode's shouty ventures into television. I've more or less eaten on all of the floors at various points, and in brunch, lunch and dinner mode. Top floor is classic, stylish, blow-out dining. Go for special occasions. Go if you like good crab, good steak and well-mixed cocktails. The bar is stunning, the view over Clerkenwell is about as good as you can find, and it's like a little classy oasis of calm, poised dining. The upstairs restaurant is slightly less pricy, but still very much worth a pop. The menu is short, and varies regularly depending on what they've snaffled off the market. It's darker, busier and normally packed with well-dressed boys and girls on dates. The ground floor is a loud, brutalist, grey, clubby bar. Even at brunch time. It's full of families who look like they've fallen out of a Habitat catalogue, post-club hipsters, the odd tourist and a few scared looking gourmands. Overall the food is *good* but not biblical. It's simple, well-presented and tasty. The difference between pre-telly era SoS and post, is the less-than-subtle pimping of John's book, and the constant bustle. If you've been out at Fabric all night then this is the best place to get some comedown-combat breakfast. read more

Staying down the street from here, I quickly grew addicted to their bacon sandwiches, and the vibe at the lounge. One time visiting, a thoroughly delightful toddler kept me entertained for over an hour. This is, in itself, noteworthy. We danced to Ska music together, much to the tykes delight. One evening, we ate upstairs (my host and me, not the toddler. That would have been weird). I got a wonderful venison, and drank it with a hearty red, and then chatted with the chef for awhile. Delicious evening out! read more

Can you keep a secret? Yeah? okay.... Shhh, don't tell anyone but...I really don't facy SOS. Why is this a secret? because it's one of my mate's FAVOURITE places in Clerkenwell and I'd hate to tell her that ALL the times we came here for a pint, I was simply not impressed. It just seems quite overrated, or maybe that's the ambience from FABRIC seeping over from a few doors down. Either way, business suits usually make their way here after work and stay until about 9. The music from the 'DJ' is reallllly loud, making it a place not easy to hear someone from 12 inches away (yeah, whatever that is in cm...it's darn hard to hear!). The drinks are typical pub drinks...mixers and pints...and there used to be the CREEPIEST painting of about 30 children straight from Children of the Corn hanging on one wall. Uh, Really? Kids scare me enough with their GERMS and BACTERIA and odd smells, do we REALLY need a painting of posessed kids in a bar? So...if you're going for a pint in Islington, find a historic pub that's a little less pretentious and a little more authentic...unless you like that sort of thing or, like me, end up braving the creepy painting for the sake of friendship. read more

oh i have mixed feelings...and I really really wish i didn't.. :( I was soooooo excited about going to Smiths of Smithfield and eating some steak and then cooing about how completely fabulous it all was...perhaps my expectations were just too high. I went to the top floor and found the atmosphere disappointingly sterile. Having said that it would probably be an ideal place for a formal business lunch. I had a sticky beak into the 2nd floor and am pleased to report that it was much more welcoming. The steak was good (although not as good as Gauchos) so I would probably recommend going there instead. Best part was ground floor for a glass of red. read more

We had dinner on the second floor and it was pretty good. Just good, not amazing. I had heard that when this place first opened it was absolutely heaving and you would wait months to get a table even in the 1st floor wine bar so I was expecting spectacular energy levels and uber-cool hipsters. But sadly, on a Saturday night, the 2nd floor was nowhere near full and the 1st floor was completely shut--chairs-on-tables shut. The space is nicely decorated and is probably intended to make you feel comfortable and relaxed yet sophisticated and cool at the same time. I had the special, seared yellow snapper. The fish was tasty, but the cut was very difficult to eat as it was massively thick and a lot of the structure of the fish was still intact. When you order seared fish, you expect to receive a knife as sharp as a steak-knife. My b/f had the chicken which frankly we could have cooked ourselves at home and my friend had the lamb--I think she made the right choice, although I can't confirm for sure as I didn't taste it. The dessert was particularly good. We shared the crème brule and the peach and champagne sorbet. Both were simple yet delicious. read more

I was lucky enough to be taken here by a supplier for lunch and was not disappointed. We ate on the second floor, as expected mid week in Farringdon the restaurant was very busy and loud but the service was good. I had the Crispy Belly of Pork with mash potato and a side dish of green veg, with no word of a lie it was the best pork and have ever tasted, it just simply melted in your mouth with the crackling nice and crispy. I'm craving for it now just thinking about it!!! read more

Perhaps I had been living under a rock, but I hadn't really heard of this place before I was taken there by a friend who'd booked a few of us in for a Saturday brunch. Well, I had only lived in London for a little over a year at that point, so I guess that's forgiven. Either way, let us just say that I went in with minimal expectations of the place and therefore was easily impressed by the warehouse-y decor of the place. Even after having booked our table well in advance, we had to wait for a few mins before we were seated at the lounge cafe/bar on the ground floor. Those few minutes at the door gave me a preview of the clientele the place serves - part grunge, part cool, part hungover, SoS seemed to be where the City crowd rubbed shoulders over the weekend, the place was positively teeming with people who seemed like bankers, lawyers and consultants. Located in Clerkenwell across the meat market and a few steps away from Fabric, this place is where the trendy party-goers stumble into after a big night out and cure their hangovers with Bloody Marys and such. The decibel level of the music certainly seemed to indicate so - not that we minded, but I do imagine many would object to club music so early in the day. Most of us went for the All-Day Breakfast options and were not disappointed - the British classics such as sausages, black pudding, bacon, eggs, shrooms and such arrived in generous portions, standard fare really. My Parisian friend positively cringed at the thought of so much grease so early in the day and opted for the Greek Salad, which seemed underwhelming at best. Her Blackberry, Mint & Yoghurt smoothie looked delish but at 4.50quid, you would hope for it to be so. All in all, it was a pleasant experience but a bit tinged with some level of pretentiousness out of proportion with their not inexpensive brunch offerings. It is only later that I realised that SoS is THE steak place in this part of the City and, therefore, carries a great deal of snob factor. I must go check it out sometime and judge for myself. read more

Review is for the second floor dinning room. The good: service and decor. The very average: the pumpkin gnocchi and lamb steak. The shameful: the beer list and the prices. Beer list with only six or seven options, out of which only two weren't boring big name beers. I ignored the big names (Corona, really?), tried the two smaller names, the BOB 'Best of Britain' that definitely wasn't and Zatec that at least met my low expectations. How about having some beers with character? There are only a couple thousand options these days. Food was nothing great. Lamb steak with Eggplant and a spicy sauce was cooked properly, decently tasty, if a bit tough. Not great, but not objectionable. Pumpkin gnocchi was similar. Service was attentive and quick, building is definitely interesting. Finally, the price. 43 quid for one person, only two drinks, definitely not good value given the meal. read more

What I like about this place most is its diversity! No, diversity isn't an old old wooden ship, but it does get represented here by no less than 4 separate restaurants (if you include the ground floor bar)! FOUR! You could spend all day in here and have 3 different meals in 3 different settings. Four if you want a greedy supper as well? Why not eh? Ground floor is an ideal city boozer which serves decent pub fare and the drinks are solid. This is where i've been most often (don't judge) but have also experienced a couple of meals up in the Dining Room which I enjoyed greatly. And it's unique right? If feels different, it looks different.... it's just err... different. (unless you go to NYC often.... oops). Buy me a beer when you see me in there. NO? Ok, a cider then. Thanks. read more

I've had dinners on the top floor, and the second floor. The food is good, not mind-blowing but solidly good. I usually order fish/shellfish dishes, and get a sampling of the meat dishes that dining mates order. Some say this really is a MEAT restaurant, so this may explain why I've not been blown away by this place thus far. I did enjoy their dessert every time, and the cheese plate is usually very good as well. It's a fun and relaxed place; it can get a bit loud at night, especially on lower floors. (Top floor is the quietest, only relatively speaking though) read more

Smiths of Smithfield - a firmly placed three stars. Nothing particular or outstanding about it, but not a bad place to pop in for a spot of lunch. I had the pulled pork sandwich. It didn't come with any sides so I had to order that separately. The pulled pork really wasn't that great but after having eaten a Pitt Cue, I think all pulled pork across the land will always fall short! The service was good and it has an open kitchen so you can see all the action, well I assume that is the point of them anyway. However one of my pet peeves with this open plan kitchen diners lark is that you end up smelling like you cooked it yourself. The fat and aromas stick to everything! Your hair, your clothes, your face! Put me in a smellification parade with a portion of chips, I think the chips would win! Final verdict, I'd probably go back but perhaps when I have no meeting in the afternoon, during the weekend or when wearing one of those forensic scientist plastic suits. read more

SOS is classic British food. I know that probably makes some folks excited but not me. (Sorry) I actually had a tough time selecting anything on the menu I was truly excited about. I ended up choosing the special which was Cornish game hen cooked in a tangine. In other words, I chose the one guest item that was Moroccan instead of English. Of course, I got a side of chips and those were perfectly fried. Good atmosphere and fun location across from the meat market. But London has too many other exciting places to come back here to do anything other than drink. PS You do not need a jacket to dine here. There are different floors and at least the two I saw were far more casual. read more

I am reviewing the third floor of the this restaurant which is the more upscale dining experience. Reasonably priced wines - we had an excellent Malbec. Cutting to the chase the rib eye steaks were good and the fries excellent. I thought there was a somewhat limited selection of beef cuts given we were at smithfield meat market. Overall we had a pleasant meal in this bustling noisy restaurants. Don't come here for a romantic encounter! read more