Smollenskys

I came here with a friend on a Saturday night as a part of a
deal where got a two course dinner and a ticket to a west end show for £24 each (which I think is a bitchin deal. As evidenced by the fact that I booked three tickets this week). We ate from the express pre-​theater menu. I want to put a disclaimer in that it’s possible that visiting here as a part of a discount promotion might have meant that the food was to a lower standard than if you would come here as a regular patron. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like this idea or think it’s okay… but I want to give this place the benefit of the doubt.
I was not impressed by this place. From the very start, it was dark with music that was disproportionately loud/​turnt up, given the demographic of the 5:30pm dinner crowd.
My friend and I ordered and the food came out quickly. I got pâté with Melba toast and a half rack of ribs with apple coleslaw and skin on chips. The liver was nice but surrounded by a jelly skin that I found super unappetizing. The plum compote was generically sweet and not particularly plummy. The ribs were nice and tender but pretty cold when they reached the table. The chips were well cooked and well salted but also cold. The coleslaw was truly disgusting-​a heap of jiggling mayo. As I said. Not impressed. Also, bummed that they refused to substitute another side for the slaw for my friend who is allergic to apples (even though it is for sale on the side menu at the same price as every other side dish).
I only came here because it was the only dinner available for this deal… I won’t be back.

I can only imagine (and okay read the other reviews) what this place looks like on a weeknight with it’s Strand location. Luckily for me we rocked up here on a hen do post-​the Savoy Grill. Not exactly complimentary venues but Smollenskys did everything we needed it to:
1. Provided us with an area big enough for 10+ people — there at 4pm so not exactly a fight but not even reserved later (I mean, that’s not great for the venue but for us was ideal).
2. Happy Hour! Many, many hours of happy — 2 for 1 cocktails and cheap wine so a decent happy hour at that.
3. Cheap bar snacks (needed after a few hours of point 2).
4. Music you could talk over — yes, I sound 65 but my point stands.
5. Happy Hour! It needed repeating.
It’s not the nicest place in the world but I personally will remember this venue as somewhere I’m likely to get a table in on weekend afternoons in central London. Oh, and Happy Hour. Sayin’ it again, just because.

This is where our office had our Christmas Lunch and at the same time there were a number of other Christmas parties going on. Despite our table being booked for 2pm it was closed to 3 by the time they actually sat us down. There were also some issues with drinks orders at the start of the night where they didn’t actually arrive (!) not great but understandable given how many people were in attendance. Thankfully the service improved from there and we all settled down to a nice three course meal. The restaurant was nicely decorated for the festive season. The food on the otherhand was a let down either arriving cold or just being a bit on the bland side. I don’t think I’d choose to eat here again but their cocktail menu is varied and definitely worth a second look.

Came here on a Thursday night. What a horrible smelly dive this place has become! I remember coming for dinner a few times about 10 years ago, and the restaurant was bright and inviting and the food certainly passable. Now it’s dank and dingy with food and drink to match.
When we arrived we were told it was happy hour and given a cocktail menu consisting of 4 items. You could have 2 for 1, but only if you had 2 of the same. 2 over sweetened concoctions followed, with only a passing resemblance to a mojito. Ugh. To the food. Ribs were straight out of a packet from a wholesale caterer, and the burger was dry and well overcooked. The chips were hard and unsatisfying. service was okay, but I don’t think the staff love working here.
What a terrible experience. I will never come back!

Had the lunch special, the steak was pretty good, cooked how I asked. When the bill came it seemed a little high and the waitress said the line item at the bottom was making everything the special price. Quick back of the napkin math and she was overcharging us. She reversed the charges after a time, but long story short check you bill at any of the restaurants with the theatre specials.

Now I’m not the Doctor (and so afraid I don’t have a Tardis — side thought, how would you decide where to go first?!) but if I did and on a whim for a Wednesday evening I decided to return to a 1970’s restaurant, I imagine it would take me here.
In a good way though! This place looks exactly as I suspect it looked like when it was first opened in the 1970/​1980’s with a menu to match! Now if you don’t like steak, don’t come here. This is a steak restaurant after all. But for the price, it is indeed a really good steak restaurant. And on a Wednesday there was no need to book at all, the place was comfortably full/​empty.
After a quick cocktail I came here with a works friend to sample their wares. Great choice of wine with an extensive list to choose from. Also we managed to grab 25% off the food with a cheeky offer, which is not so bad at all!
All in all I enjoyed the night, nice service with good food and well chosen wine (little pat on my own back for that one)

This is a nice looking informal place to grab a bite before or after watching a play. Decent food and simple and relax.