Smollensky's on the Strand

Of those 4 places I visited this week, Smollensky's was the one with little, if any, expectations from me. I recalled having had diner there several years ago with some colleagues but that was it – nothing particular to remember. And 90 minutes later Smollensky's became the place I left being the most satisfied, by far, out of those 4 visits.

Upon arrival, my first contact was not really good: no reservation at my name, although I did receive confirmation from squaremeal that a table was booked for me. Finding a table was not an issue as many were empty, and getting Smollensky's to agree on the meal discount was no issue at all equally as I showed the confirmation email I received to their manager. And was granted 50% discount on their entire menu… Nice surprise!

As a starter I went for the scallops. And these were simply delicious!!! Cooked to perfection, plate being dressed with mashed peas and a few grilled thin slices of bacon. Nice to look at and great to eat! I then had Jambalaya as main course, a souvenir of some great dishes I enjoyed in the US many years ago. I was initially surprised to see that the rice came separated from the rest (chorizo and cray fish) but really enjoyed eating the entire plate. Intense flavours, spicy bot not too much, hot again to perfection. A real pleasure.

I did not feel like going for desert so it all ended there. To add to what was said already, the wine list was very good and prices were not extravagant for once.

No doubt that I will come back…

I have celebrated at Smollenskys my 40th birthday. Everything was just excellent from the start, I am a very anxious person and I was so nervous that something could have gone wrong, but the manager I have dealt with from the beginning was just so reassuring. I reserved the VIP section, preordered wines and canapes. It was just so great!! everything was just amazing. The service was outstanding, our waitress professional and attentive. Food was tasty and the cocktails to die for. I will definitely come back to Smollensky and will recommend to all my friend. They made my 40th birthday a day I won't forget!!!

We booked Smollenskys for our children as it has magician and bits on for them on a Sunday and its hard finding somewhere that they will enjoy. After a museum visit we drove round and parked up…very excited! But so disappointed, took ages to be seated – no staff. Our waitress stunk of cigarettes, the magician was old and had no real interest in the children, most of the other HORRORS were running about while parents gulped down booze, pulling the dressed up cows tail to make it fall over, screaking at the magician for more balloon animals and barging infront of the little one and constant screaming.
The food was so quick and brown where it had been microwaved on high and the choice of green food was disgusting…I'm not a mum who harps on about veg but a choice would have been nice. I hate having to have bloody chips with everything which was the case. Over £50 for the 4 of us with no booze (wish I had got really drunk to take away the shrill screaming all through the meal).
A complete waste of money and journey – even the kids couldn't wait to get out the door and away from the 1940's style tricks!

For me, Smollensky's provides the ultimate balance for relaxation, romanance and freat musical vibes. It's the only place I know that can still encourage the mature thinker amongst the presence of the under 10's.

Smollensky's is where I met my partner in August 2007 – now I plan to return for all the best possible reasons, along with my partner, on 30 December 2010. I wonder why… lol! Could this be another special occasion for me?

Keep up the good work Smooth-llensky's!

Just celebrated our 30th birthday at smollenskys, all im going to say is GO!! Its INCREDIBLE, great new management have lifted this fantastic venue, amazing food and the staff were so very helpful and genuinely interested in our group. Great even if your just after a bar for drinks or to celebrate there cocktails are to die for, and with happy hour daily (5-7pm) you cant go wrong!

An excellent choice for families – this ia a very child friendly place at the weekends. Our party of nine – including three nippers, 7, 10 and 11 – were entertained to the max by the resident Pearly King (from Swindon!), who gamely attempted to teach us plate-spinning, the prelude to animal balloon making and magic tricks (eat your heart out, Derren Brown). The food, after all this excitement, was surprisingly good. My husband reports he had the best hamburger he'd ever tasted, and the children's burgers also vanished in double quick time. The veggies in the party loved their falafel version. I tried to bring a morceau of sophistication to lunch, and ordered the grilled butterfish on stir-fry veggies and (slumping back to norm) chips. Usually, I wish I had stuck with the mainstream burger or pizza, but not this time. Truly fresh and delicious charcoal-grilled fish, complete with intense smoky flavour, was the hit of the day.
Smollensky's, we love you.