If you live here, you may roll your eyes. You know The Smith. Perhaps you’ve had a birthday brunch there or a date or two. But admit it, it’s never a bad time! There is always a good crowd, nice ambiance, and the food comes out exactly as you would expect, every time. Living one avenue over from the NoMad location has made it my official staple for a last-minute dinner night out, here to share my favorites from the menu.
Starting with the Starter- the Potato Chips with bleu cheese fondue. Do I feel the need to start a meal with chips? No. In a perfect world, chips are not a part of my diet… ever. But these are worth it. Aside from the chips not being overly oily and made from fresh potatoes in house, they are always perfectly crunch and crisp. That is not the point though. The point is this bleu cheese fondue! Generous and melty and sprinkled with additional blue cheese and scallions, why is fondue not more commonly used to garnish chips?! Forget queso, melted cheese, salsa, and all the rest. While the mac and cheese is one of the more delicious I’ve had and the shishito peppers are super enjoyable too, if with a group trust me get the below, share and indulge:
I love to share multiple appetizers but after a bowl of chips and bleu cheese, some greenery is called for. The salad menu can change based on seasons and availability. As I write this, mid supply chain issues, shortages across different foods and goods, and inflation, I wonder if that is the reason the apple, pear and arugula salad is no longer on the menu? There are a few on there that perhaps have replaced the below, signaling it is time for me to go and check out what’s new, but I hope they bring it back. Citrusy from mandarins and tart from apples, while creamy with cheese and crunchy from candied pecans, this salad has it all. Really flavorful and a nice contrast with nuts and vegetables and fruits, makes getting your greens in really easy.
And last but far from least, the reason for this post to begin- the Vegetable Bibimbap. Translating to “mixed rice,” this is a Korean rice dish served with sushi rice topped with shiitake, spinach, edamame, house-made kimchee, and a sunny up egg. The rest of the menu is more familiar than this dish so it may be easy to skip over or pass on, but I am here to tell you that would be a mistake!
If you have not had the pleasure of enjoying bibimbap before, The Smith is a great place to start as it always comes out delicious. I know Korean foodies may laugh at me but while it is not the most authentic Korean bibimbap, it is a very good attempt. The rice is cooked in the hotpot and is crunchy at the bottom but creamy from all of the vegetables and sauce seeping through the top. The vegetables are steamed, sautéed, or whatever magic it is they work to put this dish together, and the fried egg comes just the right amount of runny every time. You mix it all together and enjoy a bit of every ingredient in each bite. If vegetarian, I am sure this dish is going to become one of your favorites and maybe even staples too. For all my meat-lovers, don’t worry this is packed with protein and fiber and will make you forget it is all from vegetables.
Those are it. The quick 3 that make for a delicious dinner, every time. So, next time wandering the streets of New York, look up The Smith and give this rustic, but trendy, staple a try.
