Last Brunch of 2024: The Smith

I’ve wanted to brunch at The Smith for years. Its old green-striped exterior in Midtown first caught my eye nearly a decade ago – the kind of façade that makes you think, Okay, I need to eat there at some point. And then, of course, I forgot. Repeatedly.

So when my best friend, Marllory, said she wanted to do brunch in Midtown, I sent her a shortlist. The Smith was on it, naturally. The Smith was included in the list and my emphasis of my interest in going to The Smith for years led her to believe our choice was a no-brainer. The decade-long interest was the perfect spot for our December brunch but was it worth the wait?

Oysters: 7/10

I tried oysters for the first time, and while I fully understand the appeal, they’re just not for me. The taste reminds me of mussels, but with a… significantly slicker personality. The texture and I simply don’t get along. Marllory, meanwhile, was in heaven. She’s basically an oyster sommelier at this point, so of course she loved them. If you’re already in the oyster camp, you’d probably be right there with her. But me? I think I’ve confirmed I’m more of a spectator than a participant in the oyster world.

Potato Waffle Benny: 9/10 | French Fries: 10/10

As a devoted eggs Benedict girl, I had no choice but to order the potato waffle benny – essentially a smoked-salmon benedict served on a waffle. And honestly? I loved it. I usually avoid waffles in the name of “being good” and inching closer to my fitness goals, but this felt like the right moment to break character. I’d never had eggs Benedict on a waffle before, and it felt almost irresponsible not to try it.

The best part? The waffle itself was guilt-free: not too sweet, not too heavy, just perfectly supportive of the smoked salmon and runny yolk situation on top. I enjoyed every bite, with zero regrets and even fewer crumbs left behind.

Steak & Eggs: 7/10

Marllory went for the steak and eggs and genuinely enjoyed it, even though she asked for the steak medium and it arrived pretty decisively medium-rare. She’s not a picky eater, so she rolled with it and cleaned her plate, but someone more particular might not have been as forgiving.

Hot Fudge Sundae: 9.5/10 | Sticky Toffee: 10/10 | Apple Tart: 9/10

For dessert, we ordered the hot fudge sundae, the sticky toffee, and the apple tart – because restraint was clearly not our ministry. The sundae briefly terrified me; I could practically feel my six-pack goals dissolving on sight. Thankfully, the hot fudge comes on the side (a blessing), so I quietly opted out of the chocolate and enjoyed the ice cream without fully spiraling. All three desserts were genuinely delicious. I usually avoid sweets, but this felt like the kind of indulgence you justify as “a treat,” even if it means eating air for the next few days to compensate. Worth it.

I’ve been saying for weeks that a sweater-and-maxi-skirt combo is the ideal holiday-season uniform – especially with all the extra eating everyone does this time of year. It’s cozy, it’s chic, and most importantly, it’s forgiving. But for some reason, I abandoned my own advice and showed up in a brown midi dress with a matching brown crochet jacket. By the end of the meal, I was fully questioning my outfit choices – already bracing myself for the inevitable food-bump reveal – until I realized my stomach wasn’t bulging the way I feared. A rare and unexpected holiday miracle.

I really enjoyed my time at The Smith -not just because the food delivered, but because the service was genuinely exceptional. From the moment I walked in to the moment I left, I was taken care of in a way that felt both attentive and effortless. It made the whole experience that much better.

SHOP BROWN MIDI DRESSES BELOW

Have you visited The Smith?