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Smyth Chicago Reviews
Chicago's No. 1 cheeseburger
The Loyalist restaurant may have to play second fiddle to Smyth, its upstairs neighbor that boasts three-star Michelin credentials. But when it comes to cheeseburgers, Loyalist is No. 1 in Chicago. Located at 177 North Ada Street, in the West Loop neighborhood, Smyth is to fine dining what Loyalist is to a dive bar, a split personality in the best way. John Shields and Karen Urie Shields, both of whom once worked for noted restauranteur Charlie Trotter, present two distinct, exciting restaurants. Loyalist is a rustic-chic gastropub, a dark and sexy basement bar that offers everything from French Onion eclairs to mussels in brandale cream. But the cheeseburger keeps hungry patrons coming back again and again. Open from 5 to 10 Monday through Saturday and from 10 to 2 for Sunday brunch, Loyalist tops its menu with one of our favorite desserts, chocolate profiteroles, a rarity on most menus, with warm caffe-mocha chocolate sauce and miso-vanilla ice cream. While I indulged in my cheeseburger. my wife enjoyed a Bistro Filet with madeira jus and anchovy butter and Carolina gold rice and endive pilaf. The cheeseburger tastes as good as it looks, a juicy beef patty sandwiched between a squishy sesame-seed bun and adorned with melted American cheese and pickled and charred onion. With thick cut fries and garlicky aioli. Isn't that worth at least one Michelin star?
I give the highest compliments for the level of service and
I give the highest compliments for the level of service and care from the GM, Chris. He went above and beyond and I highly recommend Smyth for a great meal and great service!
Service was excellent, the Ambiance was almost too casual!
Service was excellent, the Ambiance was almost too casual! Two food bloggers sat next to us in T-shirts and Shorts. Kinda took away from the experience. Food was an interesting mix of some reinvented classics to a lot of jelly's and similar textures with rather exotic ingredients. I found it to be 10 courses of Amuse Bouche and a couple of three bite dishes. Even after spending $$$$.$$ I was hungry. I guess if you want the experience you should try it, compared to the other 3 Michelin Star Restaurants in The US and one other in Chicago I would choose several of those over Smyth. I would return to Smyth if someone else was paying, but would have a Chicago dog before!
Phenomenal experience.
It's difficult to offer a review of this type of experience. I have no complaints or issues, and I feel that any compliments that I might lavish, have been stated many times over. The standout highlight of the evening were the custom mocktail created for us throughout the evening. Neither my wife or myself drink alcohol, and the restaurant manager made us unique cocktails for almost each course using different flavors, sauces, and oils from the kitchen. It was amazing. 4 hours flew by. After reading some other reviews, I would like to echo the previous comment about attire. Several people wearing t-shirts and one guy in shorts with sandals.
We wanted to come here but there was an issue with their
We wanted to come here but there was an issue with their reservation system and the person we spoke to just seemed clueless so they told us to checkout the loyalist which is their sister restaurant
Wow!
We hadn't been here for a while (see my previous review from a couple of years ago) and we won't make that mistake again. Simply outstanding. Wonderful preparations, nicely presented. Every staff person was friendly and helpful, possibly the least pretentious group ever met at a high end restaurant. Many favorite courses. Only one we didn't love was the "heaviest" savory course, lamb prepared multiple ways. But the others were terrific. The meal has many courses, but most are one or two bites so you don't come away feeling stuffed, just very happy. We need to go back sooner.
way overpriced, some very strange tiny helpings, you will
way overpriced, some very strange tiny helpings, you will leave hungry. pretentious wait staff, this place is trying to be french laundry, which is way, way overrated. do yourself a favor, skip both.
You can’t find better cocktails at this price point in Chicago
Review is for the loyalist I’ve been frequenting this place for a little over a year. Is & ate this prices you can’t find a better place. Sure there’s better cocktails but we’re talking about an intro price of around $30. The normal price for a cocktail here hovers around $15-17. My favorite cocktail here is house of 1k carrots, as well as the sweet potato one, I yam what I am. On this particular night we were introduced to a new cocktail which was natural corn killers which is served with a scoop of sweet corn ice cream from the upstairs smyth. Burgers isn’t the best in the city but it’s good. Food options are ok but trust the true gems lie within the cocktails.
We made this reservation when Smyth was still a 2-star
We made this reservation when Smyth was still a 2-star Michelin restaurant and were pleasantly surprised to find that it acquired the third star before our actual visit. This was probably the best fine dining meal I've ever had. Every single dish and drink was sumptuous, balanced, and memorable. The ambiance was lovely, and the service was phenomenal. We joked with the ladies sitting at the next table about still being hungry and getting a burger after our incredible meal (we were 100% facetious, I swear!), and the servers brought each of our tables amazing burgers and fries at the end of our meals. It was absolutely ridiculous, and yet we found room to finish our bonus course... Fantastic experience!
I had high expectation for Smyth but unfortunately I was
I had high expectation for Smyth but unfortunately I was disappointed with my experience, especially since it was recently awarded its 3rd Michelin star. The dining room was beautiful and comfortable. However, I thought the room temperature was rather cool and distracted from my dining experience. The first few courses were delicious. I especially enjoyed the smoked quail egg and the osetra caviar with pumpkin seeds. The Maine uni and mamey sapote was very good. The uni was very fresh and not even a hint of "fishiness". Later in the dinner was the avocado and eucalyptus ice. This was a "miss" in my opinion. The Lone Mountain wagyu and cherry was also a miss. It was served too cold and the cherry did not complement the wagyu well. The final course was an egg licorice and frozen yogurt macaron. It was a beautiful appearing macaron but I don't know too many people that enjoys the taste of black licorice. The black licorice taste reminded me of my least favorite Halloween candy (Good and Plenty) growing up. As expected, the restaurant sent me a friendly reminder of my upcoming reservation. One statement caught my eye... "***Please note that a 20% service charge is added to all parties*** This is not a tip or a gratuity." I have been to other restaurants that added an automatic 20% service charge, which I have absolutely no problem with, however I have never been to a restaurant that said this 20% service charge was NOT a tip/gratuity! Am I really expected to pay 20% service charge and be expected to pay another 18-20% gratuity?? Why not increase the published cost of the meal from $325 to $390/person ($325 + 20% service charge) then ask for an additional gratuity? Why try to "hide" the true cost of the meal by tacking on a service charge on the back end? Just increase the cost of the meal. I had high expectations but unfortunately, I don't think I will be back.
Incredible food but intense atmosphere
Absolutely incredible food from start to finish. The service was very good bu tthe atmosphere was intense rather than relaxing as staff appeared under pressure to choreograph the customer’s experience.
Dropbox hosted an exclusive round table dinner with some
Dropbox hosted an exclusive round table dinner with some professional from the AEC industry. We were seated in the private dining section on the lower level. The restaurant is cozy & classy! The event had a prefixed menu with a variety of fabulous dishes. Most dishes were meat forward, but the staff at the restaurant were very considerate to get me vegetarian dishes. The vegetarian dishes were flavourful! Cocktails: CITI-DILL-08 & Loyalist old fashioned were just fabulous and a must try!
Three star Michelin for a reason
A true culinary experience with a 15 course dinner. Very modern decor with an open kitchen giving at home feeling. Service is friendly, unformal and not pretentious. Very innovative. Right size portions to let you enjoy everything until the desert. The place is for foodies, not for showing off.
I'm not gonna go over every course for this 3 Michelin
I'm not gonna go over every course for this 3 Michelin experience, but I did provide a pic of the menu I was lucky enough to try if you want to see all of the courses. I really enjoyed myself at Smyth. We did do the chef's table. The vibe of the whole restaurant was great down to the lighting level, the warmth of the wood tables, and the 80's music being softly pumped in the background. The service was impeccable. They run a very tight and orderly brigade. I didn't do a wine pairing, but the old fashioned I had was amazing. If I was to highlight my 3 favorite moments, they would be: 1). MAINE UNI & MAMEY SAPOTE. The presentation was beautiful and the flavors were so original (for me) to be used with Uni that I was transfixed. 2). CRAB SOUP. I watched my partner have a Ratatouille moment the second she raised the cup to her mouth and smelled the seaweed. She grew up on the northern coast of California and I could see her lost in nostalgia. Her eyes teared up as this became an emotional experience for her. 3). LEMON LEAF & BEESWAX PARFAIT. The beeswax foam dries into what looks like a sponge. Very playful and very delicious. This was a very special experience. I would def come back.
Ask yourself what is beyond exquisite? The simple answer is
Ask yourself what is beyond exquisite? The simple answer is Smyth. The attention to detail by every person on staff is evident throughout the space. From the second you walk through their door until you set foot back out said door you are treated to the best the industry has to offer. Whether it be world class wines or the amazing cuisine the Chef has thoughtfully prepared the only thing you will leave there wanting is another reservation. No wonder they have 3 Michelin stars. See you soon and thank you for the incredible experience!
We went here to celebrate two of our friends birthday.
Boy was this a treat. The place was modern, clean and well decorated. The food were amazing. Every dish was prepared to perfection. Service was amazing as well.
Overall good experience , very enjoy.
Strange pace between dishes. Atmosphere was great. We had front side table next to the kitchen. Service was great. We read about experience about additional tip on top of that already 20% service fee. We weren't told that it didn't go to the staff , so we assumed it did. Maybe they got a lot of complaints about the tip issue . Food was amazing. we didn't like one dish which was the dessert , it tasted like black licorice and Chinese prune candy LOL. More like a 2 star than a 3 star Michelin. Was expecting more from a 3 star Michelin and for the price point . Wanted more main dishes. Didn't have beef , pork or chicken . Overall very good experience
We've been to many of the top fine dining places in Chicago
We've been to many of the top fine dining places in Chicago and this place is no where near as good as the others. Out of the 10-12 tastings, 2 were good and the rest were average at best. We did the "reserve wine" pairing and all were average wines. Also, BE AWARE of the 20% added service charge to the bill. This goes to the restaurant (not the servers) so not sure why they don't just raise their prices. Very deceptive! I've seen 3% service charges, but 20% is absolutely ridiculous, especially on a $1200 bill for 2 people. Really bad experience and so very disappointing!
I surprisingly loved our meal.
.. except the duck and foie gras dish. (Sorry, Peking duck trumps this for me.) I thought each dish was very unique and innovative. Service was amazing. They really went above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable. The space is cozy, definitely warm, and it doesn't feel very crowded. I couldn't really identify any of the songs. My bf and I were surprised we liked it more than we expected.
Wow! My husband and I dined here last week.
We have dined at other 2 and 3 star Michelin rated spots in the city and this was comparable. This winter menu is very seafood heavy, there was only one meat offering and it was aged duck. I do wish there was more chicken or red meat in the meal. Everything else was shell fish and vegetables. But overall the service and presentation was top notch. When you first walk in you are welcomed by a lovely view of the full kitchen. Everyone is working diligently and listening to each other. I love hearing their synergy and their repetition of cues from the CDC. Some of my favorite dishes of the night were the toasted corn and truffle waffle, crab and almond (with a jasmine spray) BBQ king crab and rice koji, and of course the aged duck and yeast foie gras doughnut. We added the classic wine pairing. It was (I believe) 7 different wines, mostly white (makes sense since it was mostly seafood dishes). The staff said it would amount to about 3 full glasses but I think it was more. It was a great choice to add the wine pairing but of course was a bit pricey. The ambiance is nice. Very different from Alinea and Ever. Lots of timberwood and very West Loop feel. I am obsessed with the wallpaper in the bathrooms!! You have to check that out. :) After our meal my husband wanted a cocktail. They politely told us that they needed our table for the next party but offered a cocktail and champagne on the house to enjoy in the lounge (read: the lobby area). That was very nice of them and we obliged. Thanks Smyth!!
We have now been to Smyth twice, once in 2017 and in Jan
We have now been to Smyth twice, once in 2017 and in Jan 2024. Overall, this time we left feeling a bit disappointed and frankly, in some discomfort. Like with any restaurant where you are spending $1000 for two people, you expect excellence. On arrival, we sat unattended for over 25 minutes. As I was breaking my dry January I was gasping for a drink, but it took four or five attempts to finally flag someone down. From there the service was immaculate, but it was a really awkward first impression. The food - far too many of the dishes tasted too similar. I felt like I had gone swimming in the ocean with my mouth open by the end of the night - so many fishy, salty concoctions that whilst immaculately presented and interestingly described, all started to blend in to one. This made the non-salt water dishes really stand out - in particular the avocado was sensational as was the chamomile cloud dessert. Overall, both my wife and I struggled to finish some of the later dishes from the sea and left feeling pretty nauseous and over-salted. An establishment of this calibre should not be thrusting an awkward tipping situation on to its patron. Smyth applies an automatic 20% 'tip' on to your bill, but then the server reminds you that this is in fact not a tip but instead required to cover basic staff needs like healthcare etc and therefore any additional tip is actually a tip. The whole interaction was awkward and surreal - you are about to put your card down on a $1000 check to be told that if you want to tip you need to add a second tip. Do either - apply a service charge that covers all bases and say nothing, or don't apply the service charge let people tip, but dont try and do both. In summary, there is some incredible inventiveness and flavors in some of the dishes but for the most part the food was samey and disappointing. Service snafus and the whole service charge/tip situation further compounded the 'meh' experience.
About a 2-2.
5: We were curious to check out Smyth, as the cuisine is inspired from the farmlands of Smyth County in VA! They offer a Smyth and a Chef's Table tasting menu, in which you make advance reservations via tock. We went for the Smyth, and note that if you have any allergies or aversions, you can work with the restaurant for substitutions and/or accommodations. Our menu included: +Smoked Quail Egg +Lobster Coral Custard, Lobster Claw & Raspberry +Lobster & Seaweed Soup +Sweet Peas, Lemon Leaf & Garden Curry Oil +Avocado & Habanada Slushie +Dungeness Crab & Almond +Squash & Caviar +Alaskan King Salmon & White Asparagus +Lobster Tail & Tomatillo +Lone Mountain Beef; Truffle & Bone Marrow Doughnut +New Potato & Pecan +Strawberry * Nasturtium +Sunflower & Marigold Tartlet; Mussel Caramel +Kombucha Rootbeer Float Overall, we felt that there wasn't much of a variety in the menu, considering the 3 stars - don't get me wrong, I do enjoy lobster, but I feel that there should have been a more variety of proteins that were used; the progression of the menu also felt similar in terms of flavors, and the dishes didn't seem too distinct from one another. The courses were aesthetically presented well. Service was fine. The hostess's demeanor should be re-evaluated. The interior of the place has more of a relaxed casual vibe, considering, with exposed frames and darker wood. Extremely limited street parking. +repeats in courses +okay service +extremely limited street parking
Disappointing on multiple levels; do not recommend.
Top three critiques: the food started to taste the same (akin to blended seafood in salt), took four "courses" and an ask to receive the martini I ordered, and a spelling error, which is "fine" if you're not a three star Michelin restaurant.
Disappointing.
Disappointing on multiple levels; do not recommend. Top three critiques: the food started to taste the same (akin to blended seafood in salt), took four “courses” and an ask to receive the martini I ordered, and a spelling error, which is “fine” if you’re not a three star Michelin restaurant.
This review is overdue.
In part, it's because I wanted time to truly consider our experience and making sure I wasn't assigning five stars simply because of the price of Smyth or their three Michelin stars. And, I assure you, with the clarity of time, I am not conflating our experience with ratings. Let's start with the most important thing to me: I am allergic to an ever-growing list of ingredients. I consistently dance a line of wanting exceptional experiences dining out and being more than a little fearful of encountering a rogue allergen. When I made this reservation, it was aspirational - I fully expected someone to look at the list of my allergens and point me in the direction of the nearest Portillo's. Instead, I received an email from Chris, who asked some clarifying questions and assured me that they could keep me safe. Similarly, on the night of our dining experience, our server reviewed my allergens with me again and told me it was now her job to keep me safe. The food was lovely. The adjustments made to my courses so I could enjoy the experience were brilliant - at other establishments, I've felt like an afterthought. It was evident here that the chefs considered what it would mean to remove one ingredient and what should replace it in terms of flavor, texture and experience. A poached persimmon replaced an oyster; sunchoke broth replaced lobster. The menu was eclectic and fun, featuring ingredients you don't often find on menus (like the pawpaw fruit which, like me, is native to Ohio). My husband, who is annoyingly not allergic to anything. enjoyed the menu the way it was intended but agreed my experience was not lacking. We each did the traditional wine pairing; our server was gracious enough to give us a two reserve samples to compare and contrast. Service was impeccable. The space was warm and welcoming on a cold Chicago night. The wine pairings were quite good. My only regret is not more appropriately thanking Chris or our server before leaving. Smyth is a rare dining experience, and to be able to enjoy it without worry makes it even more exceptional. I am beyond grateful for a meal we won't stop talking about it and for the care everyone at Smyth put into the experience.
Best burger ever anywhere
Oh my goodness not just the best burger in Chicago this is the best burger I have ever had. The loyalist burger with a beer and a shot it was absolutely incredible and the staff were second to none. I will be back this next time I am in town
Would you like some steak with your sauce?
This review is for the Loyalist. I was so excited to come here since I heard nothing but positive reviews and the best cheeseburger in Chicago. WOW…so disappointing! First off we were sat at a high top table with the most uncomfortable bar stool I’ve ever sat on. With no back, no padding and no rungs to place your feet ( the lower rung was too low to reach and the higher one was like one inch from the top so it was like squatting). I think this was used as a medieval torture device. Anyhow, overlooking the fact that we were very uncomfortable I was hoping the food would make up for it…NOPE…I had the bistro filet, it was drenched in sauce that was not even good. I tried using another plate to dry off the meat, but even the meat was inedible, tough and dry (shocking since it was swimming in sauce). My husband had the “award winning” cheeseburger…omg…save the $20 and go to Culver’s and get a butter burger…so much better. The only saving grace were the fries which were some of the best I’ve ever had. The service was good as well, that’s the only reason for the “poor” rating instead of “terrible”. Also, the music was extremely loud we had to shout to hear each other. Just don’t get the great reviews, maybe I’m missing something. I would not go back and I would tell people to not go here.
Review for the Loyalist
We attended the sister bar which is downstairs from the restaurant. It gives you a pub / bar feel but more elegant. The staff were very friendly and attentive and while they pride themselves in being a French fusion restaurant their choice of music “very loud metal rock” made it slightly impossible to enjoy yourself! The Louder the music = people need to shout to talk to each other = loud music and shouting people… Again the staff were amazing We ordered their cocktails which was great 10/10 We ordered their truffle deviled egg (1 egg sliced in half) while the taste was great 10/10 the price was not … $20 for 1 egg is a bit of a stretch! French onion soup without the soup 5/10… too cheesy and confusing Classic Burger was our absolute favorite 10/10 We also ordered the loyalist burger thinking that would be our fav dish but it wasn’t… too much happening specially with variety of onions and pickles on the burger which I believe acquires a particular taste… For two people the bill was $160 usd … 2 drinks + 2 very small apps and 2 burgers shouldn’t cost $160 …
Excellent 2 star Michelin tasting menu experience
We had an excellent tasting menu at this 2 star Michelin restaurant. Service was excellent and the ambiance was very comfortable. It was great fun watching the chefs working hard in the open kitchen. Tasting menu had a strong Asian influence and flavors. Lots of creative play with sweet and savory combos through all the courses, including dessert. We enjoy our meal immensely!
Above and beyond service
The food at the Loyalist was very good -- my companion's burger memorably so -- but what will really stick with us was the service. The friend I was meeting for dinner is physically limited (walks with a cane), and the host went well above and beyond to make sure that she had a positive experience; this included coming out to meet her, helping her to our table, switching our table when the first one was cramped, helping us back out of the restaurant, and calling a cab for her. The wait staff was unfailingly friendly, even as we asked for multiple explanations about menu items and some modifications to our orders. It was a mild bummer that they were out of decaf coffee (which my friend wanted after dinner), but overall the hospitality was outstanding. I eat out relatively often in Chicago and overall find the service really strong, but even in a town where excellent service is the norm the Loyalist really stood out.
Tuesday night 2-21-23, I had the wonderful dining
Tuesday night 2-21-23, I had the wonderful dining experience at Smyth and The Loyalis. The food was outstanding however what really stood out was the careful and meticulous service our large group received from the staff. They were attentive to our needs while also being unintrusive. When dining I need to pay particular attention to menu items due to food allergies. I shared these concerns the day before the event in a email. Within 15 to 20 minutes of email I had a immediate reply from the General Manager of the restaurant reassuring no issues. During the food serving time I had a personal server coming to me and informing me what I was being served and describing the individual ingredients in each entre. This was a real first for me. In summary I highly recommend Smyth and The Loyalis particularly if you suffer from food allergies. Its going to be great experience.
Two Michelin stars, has to check it outGreat service as
Two Michelin stars, has to check it outGreat service as expectedBooked tasting menu (abbreviated version) online with $100 down per personEasy to get in for an early dinner on a weekday, there was only one other table there that earlyNice West Loop locationService was prompt and friendly, the usual reciting of each ingredient Warm donut with cheese was fantasticSurprising hazelnut and crab meat dish with almond milk was delectableInteresting porridge with a previously extinct rice and quail egg and foie gras was a little heavyLast egg tart inspired dessert was delightfulOverall great experience but worth $500? Probably not.
Very helpful and great staff, great service, but $1400 x 3
Very helpful and great staff, great service, but $1400 x 3 people, with no wine tasting a bit ridiculous, considering that some dishes missed the combo they were going for. Creative dishes, but not as innovative as we would expect for that price and Michelin rating. Once in a lifetime experience, but that's it.
Had the chance to check out Smyth during my last trip to
Had the chance to check out Smyth during my last trip to Chicago and loved it! The bold, balanced flavor combinations in this seafood-centric menu had my tastebuds dancing! The highlights: sunchoke cannoli, Maine uni (who knew the East Coast had uni?!), and beeswax sherbet! Also a fan of the cozy rustic-chic vibe they had going on with the decor--a warm welcome and escape from the cold Chicago winter!
We had an incredible experience at Smyth; we both agreed it
We had an incredible experience at Smyth; we both agreed it was our favorite tasting menu in the City. Every plate was beyond delicious and the perfect size. The service was impeccable and the restaurant has a cozy but open atmosphere. Will definitely be returning!
Mixed feelings
Well, I was about to rate this a 5 star and the read the other reviews about the service fee which we presumed was the literal service fee. Everything else was exceptional. Thomas the wine steward was knowledgeable and attentive, Hannah was one of our servers and she was delightful. We were sick with Covid and has to postpone and they were flexible with our rescheduling. The food was indescribably delicious and creative. They were very accommodating of my dietary needs and I greatly appreciated it. We planned to make it a monthly dinner but now knowing the service fee doesn’t go to the team??? We are strongly reconsidering ever returning. :(
2022 chicago.
tasting menu.black truffle & sweet pea tartletsummer squash, chamomile & togarashi pepper(highlight) lobster coral & hazelnut custardlobster claw & raspberry leatherlobster consomme & berry cevichechilled california avocado, pistachio & sea lettucelobster tail warmed with almond milk & newly pressed walnut oilfoie gras, barbecued avocado & blade kelpslow roasted lamb saddle, porcini & bitter greens(best) pleasant ridge reserve cheese & caviar doughnutlime leaf, pine & sheets of icestrawberry & nasturtium honey potpreserved egg yolk tartlet, marigold & jasmine(highlight) barley mousse, burnt chocolate & caviar(highlight) black walnut & venison consomme with 8 year japanese whiskybonus pic - foie gras éclair from bar downstairsoverall, amazing. "as good as it gets."
Service fee or tip??
Incredible food and the wine pairings were excellent albeit over priced. Great service. 5 out of 5 until the end when we got the bill. On it was a 20% service fee that only invited confusion. Was this an automatic tip? I mean fine as I typically tip 25-30% so we asked the server. We got a very clumsy explanation inferring that it wasn’t the ‘top’ but also *kind* of the tip that only invited more confusion. We left an additional 10% only to realize, after reading reviews, that we just short changed the staff and actually the service fee is not the tip but just more takings for the owners, which just made us feel bad about our experience. How about just charging 20% additional on the meal and letting the customer tip as he is accustomed to instead of making this stuff convoluted?? Of course 20% additional would bring the tasting menu to about $330 and may make many more inclined to just go to Alinea. Anyhow the food was fantastic, service good, wine great but over priced for how much you get. Add 20% to what you’re expecting and you won’t be left wondering how to properly reward the excellent staff at the end of the night.
This might be one of the worst restaurants and tasting
This might be one of the worst restaurants and tasting menus I have ever experienced. I felt as if everything tasted the same and that we were eating baby food for most courses. It was nice when they gave us a little piece of meat to actually be able to chew something. I would recommend staying away from this place especially for the price and if you are looking for Michelin star in Chicago go to Ever down the street.
All I can say is WOW! Surely one of the top experiences of
All I can say is WOW! Surely one of the top experiences of my life. I was invited to a private event here last week and learned the Smyth and The Loyalist is led by former Chef's from Charlie Trotters and Tru, two of my favorite places ever. The creativity, artistry, and exquisite flavors were mind blowing. But better yet, the service was impeccable. Each course was a learning experience, the servers and sommeliers always happy to share the details of what we were eating and drinking.All of this capped off by a caviar goody bag to take home! The attention to detail in every step of the evening was truly incredible.I cannot wait to go back.
Many people have already talked about the menu here, and
Many people have already talked about the menu here, and there are some valid points. But let me start by saying that everyone that was working here was very friendly, helpful, and service oriented. The whole vibe of the place is like your super rich friend's kitchen, it has that homey feeling. Not uptight at all.That being said, the menu was good but I thought it leaned too heavily on liquid / oil / foam / porridge. My favorite dish was actually the squash with caviar - really intense squash flavor accentuated by whatever sauce was on it. I thought there was maybe one too many dishes (I actually couldnt eat the final bite, which was a salted egg yolk tart). I could have seen the menu ending on the raspberry dish which I really enjoyed.Will update my review once I get that menu emailed to me!
Not a good experience.
I had very high expectations when I visited Smyth, but I have to say that I had a very poor experience (not even remotely comparable to other Michelin-starred restaurants in Chicago), even a bit dishonest. The tasting menu was repetitive (three courses of lobster?) and very oily, so you could not taste the ingredients. I chose the reserve wine pairing, but you are not told the wines and courses in advance (you do not get the menu until days later), so I found I was not offered all the wines. The "caviar" courses are not prepared with real caviar (from sturgeon), but with regular fish eggs - the chocolate caviar plate is inedible. The last dessert (the "mussel") had a very strong bitter aftertaste. Service was rushed and inattentive. The wine pairing was very poorly (and robotically) explained by the sommelier and no coffee, tea or any mignardise was offered at the end. Did I mention that the prices are outrageous for the quality? If you are really looking for a gastronomic experience in Chicago, visit Alinea, Oriolle, Ever or Elske. Of course my feedback e-mail was not answered.
Service was great .
Food was awful. It was Heavy, oily. All the dishes tasted the same . definitely not worth it . Disappointing
You have to go here
This restaurant has easily earned its Stars. The thoughtful ingredients, expert technique, and bold wine pairing, set against a beautiful space and executed by kind, knowledgeable, and humorous staff, made this experience nothing short of incredible.
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2.) A Community User Picks Up the Bid
* MaternalRecord73, an experienced AT user, has a strong track record of successfully securing reservations and low refund requests, they receive a notification about Peter's bid.
* MaternalRecord73 picks up the bid, meaning they will now work on securing the reservation.
* Peter can now talk to MaternalRecord73 for any questions Peter may have as MaternalRecord73 user fills the bid.
3.) Finding the Reservation
* MaternalRecord73 now uses their connections at Smyth Chicago to secure the table.
* If they successfully get the 6 PM table for four, Peter receives a confirmation that the reservation has been secured.
* If MaternalRecord73 fails to secure the reservation, the bid is returned to the pool so another user can try.
4.) Payment & Protection
* Once the reservation is secured, MaternalRecord73 receives the $200 reward which is credited to MaternalRecord73's AT balance, where users manage their own funds and can withdraw via available payout options such as bank transfer, PayPal, or Zelle.
* Peter can now enjoy the dinner with his friends at Smyth Chicago!
* As with all transactions on AT, disputes and no-show fees are handled through the platform's community-driven resolution system. Users with a strong track record are incentivized to fulfill bids successfully, and community members can report issues to maintain trust in the marketplace.
