Keeping Up

April 28th, 2008 jonas

The Smith
53 Third Ave (b/t 10th & 11th Street)
New York, NY 10003
(212) 420-9800

[map] [subway directions]

Rating: 3/5

Notes:

- Burger: Unfortunately, The Smith’s burger disappoints in the flavor department – it’s a lackluster patty without an inherently delicious meaty taste or the seasonings to improve upon it.

- Bun: A homemade white bread bun that holds the sandwich together without getting in the way of the burger experience. This would have been more appreciated had the burger delivered a little more zest.

- Garnish: Served with lettuce, thin slices of red onion, white cheddar cheese, a dubious “special sauce” and a delicious layer of smoky, crisp, salty bacon.

- Mess factor: There’s plenty of juice in this burger, but very little mess.

- Fries: The burger comes with a massive pile of thin, crispy fries. Like the burger, unfortunately, they were underwhelmingly seasoned.

- Price: $13 (with everything)

- Bordeaux: The Smith doesn’t serve a Bordeaux, though they do offer a small selection of wines by the carafe and half-carafe, listed on a chalk board behind the bar. Wines are served in a juice glass, and we went with the cabernet, which was satisfying enough to wash down the sandwich and fries.

- Atmosphere: You could take a girl there.

- Overall: The Smith is a rock and roll restaurant, with a combo of indy-label music and classic 80s pop (including Cure and Romeo Void) blaring in the background. The dining room is large and airy, with a wall of windows overlooking 3rd Avenue. The brushed stainless steel bar, milk glass lamps, and wood plank ceiling add a nice touch to the décor. We had a delicious braised bacon and egg appetizer, so there’s no reason to believe that more effort went into the ambiance than the food. However, if we had just had the burgers, we might have left believing just the opposite.

Entry Filed under: 3, East Village