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B Smith's
Category: Restaurants American (Traditional) American (Traditional) [Edit]
50 Massachusetts Ave NE(at N Capitol St)
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 289-6188
- Nearest Transit:
-
Union Station Metro Station (Red)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11:30 am - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 11:30 am - 10 pm
Sun 11 am - 9 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Paid
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
130 reviews for B Smith's
Review Highlights
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"Union Station is a wonderful place to visit in near..." In 38 reviews -
"We also had the fried green tomatoes with goat cheese and..." In 17 reviews -
"I've always raved about SWAMP THANG as my favorite dish." In 13 reviews
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130 reviews in English
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Review from Candace A.
Arlington, VA
5/3/2012
**For Brunch, The food was great....but not the service**..Went in and was seated promptly even though it seemed busy. My mother and I were told to attend the buffet. The bar could be attended better...but like I said...the food made up for it. I went to get eggs and the station was down, something happened with the burners.
So I asked our waiter if we could order eggs. I asked him for overeasy eggs and he said.... "What is that?"....REALLY??!!....so he brought someone else over...and he said he never heard of that either...(haha...I couldn't believe it)...all me and my mother could do was laugh...***HIRE MORE EXPERIENCED WAITSTAFF!!!!!**...I let it go...and just said never mind.
The drinks came slow....but overall...If you are in Union Station and would like a good brunch...I would go. But I wouldn't make a trip there. DC is known for brunches...and there are just to many other selections, especially for the price. -
Review from Fenny L.
Before I start this review, let's just state for the record that I'm a fatty of the highest fatty calibre that will ever fat. Basically, I'm a glutton and a fatty and I'm oddly proud of this fact. I'm also a lush, but that's a different disclosure for a different review.
It was Xmas Eve, and unlike many other crazy Xmas' before, my husband and I were wonderfully bereft of family drama for the holidays. I'm not quite sure how it happened either, but I'm not complaining. It was arguably one of the most relaxing Xmas Days I've ever experienced. But I digress.
We decided to stop in on Xmas Eve to grab an early dinner. I'm glad that we made the decision to have an early dinner, because on Xmas, B Smith's closes at 6. Fortunately, we arrived around 4:30, and feeling only mildly peckish, we were going to only get a quick "snack".
As I stated in the beginning, I'm a fatty and a glutton...because I ended up ordering the pumpkin bisque, chicken livers and the Swamp Thang. I was tempted to also order the bread pudding dessert, but my husband had a surprise of champagne and strawberries waiting for us in our hotel room, so he talked me out of it.
The pumpkin bisque was a touch too sweet for me, although my husband thought it was delightful. I also felt that the spices (I think it was cinnamon) overpowered the natural yumminess of the pumpkin...but then, I'm not a huge fan of cinnamon, so it's probably a personal prejudice. The chicken livers were nice and the chutney was a nice contrast; offering the right amount of tartness. It wasn't the best chicken liver I've ever had, but it was definitely decent. The Swamp Thang was *delicious*. It had all the rich flavors one associates with Southern cooking, but with a delicate and masteful touch.
While the food was good, I would have probably given this place 3 stars. The real star was the *awesome* server that we had. He was nice, charming, and was offering up historical tidbits about the space (it used to be the Presidential Waiting Room for the Presidential train before there were planes), and all sorts of fascinating facts about the party rooms (one of which was the First Lady's changing room). Awesome awesome awesome!
I had a fabulous time, and the best part is that it's not outrageously priced. Can't wait to come back. I'm planning on throwing a small party for my mother in law, and I think this space and ambiance would be *perfect*.Listed in: Where to have a private party
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Review from LaToya P.
Updated - 4/12/2012 1 photo
April 2012: Brunch review... *SEE PIC*
I've been to B. Smith's a time or two for dinner, media/networking events and Happy Hour, so I decided to check out the Sunday Brunch scene.
Loved it!
There's plenty to choose from, which is always good for a buffet. Besides a bunch of (UNLIMITED!) mimosas, I enjoyed catfish, collards, salmon, mac&cheese, jambalaya w/jasmine rice, turkey w/gravy, salad and cheesecake. (I'm pretty sure I'm leaving something out, but that's all I remember being on my first round of plates.
Lots of big church hats and suits to be seen, so do be mindful of the dress code.
Georgia Brown's is still my fav for "Brunch Buffet", but B. Smith's does not disappoint. Would highly recommend this for someone looking for a GOOD place to Brunch.Listed in: Best Brunch, Romantical, Bottomless Brunch Beverages
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/24/2012
*Here are some things I've sampled during a special event (Media Dinner)...
First Course:
Garden… Read more »
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Review from Curt c.
Washington D.C., DC
5/21/2012
Great Food, Awful Service. If you have an extra hour to kill while you wait for your check, this place is for you. If you're a normal person, look elsewhere.
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Review from J. Paul A.
Fort Thomas, KY
5/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Waiter was attentive and informative (providing historical background on the location). The jambalaya was very good (I was very hungry). The Cajun turkey burger was meh. Not spicy at all and didn't hold together well like a burger should -- even a turkey burger. Fairly expensive, but that's what you expect in Union Station.
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Review from Abhijit G.
Philadelphia, PA
4/7/2012
Let me start with the caveat that this review is for a quick 30 min lunch at one of their bar tables before catching a train. The staff was very friendly and the service was very quick. Which is what we cared about the most.
The corn bread and biscuits were warm and toasty. The shrimp lobster and crawfish étouffée was very very flavorful. The shrimp was a bit tough but the flavor was second to none. I was in NOLA less than a month ago and this étouffée was comparable.
All in all, very good. The mojito was strictly ok though. -
Review from David H.
3/11/2012
We ended up here on a Friday night, I had never been, just walked by, and had no idea what to expect. I was able to get a table with no wait and sat on the enclosed patio, which has a decent view of the area outside Union Station. They bring you a basket of mini corn muffins and biscuits which are good and disappeared quickly as we were hungry (I think you have to ask for refills, which we did). The fried green tomatoes were okay but a little greasy and should come with more than three for the money. The wings were good and had a sweet and sour sauce which went well and they give you a good number for the price.
I had the shrimp and lobster étouffée which is served with rice. It was excellent and contained more shrimp and lobster than I expected. It had more of a creamy texture as opposed to more of a gumbo like type I have tried at other places and was quite filling. I would recommend this. We tried the peach cobbler and red velvet cake for dessert (they have a deal where you can get 2 desserts as a special). The peach cobbler is good but not amazing and is fresh baked which is a plus. The red velvet cake was good as well but not amazing.
This place is somewhat overpriced so you'll be paying a lot more than you would in the south for similar items. Being from the South originally I probably have picky and unrealistic expectations for any "Southern Food" restaurant. That being said, I enjoyed this place and would recommend it for a southern style meal. As JFK said, DC combines Southern efficiency with Northern charm. You won't feel like you're in the south here but you can at least enjoy the food. -
Review from Rebecca M.
Washington, DC
2/21/2012
I went here with a group of girls who are no stranger to the DC brunch scene. None of us had been to brunch here but the buffet and bottomless mimosa menu seemed promising. While the food was okay, the service was obscene. Our server was almost condescending in obliging us with multiple drinks. The fact that coffee isn't included in the $35 rate is ridiculous. About 1.5 hours in, our hungover server told us that the restaurant was about to run out of sparkling wine. This was funny because I didn't taste any champagne with my watered down orange juice.
This brunch is a shame and I regret having wasted a Sunday morning and $35 on such a sham. -
Review from Stephanie K.
San Diego, CA
4/4/2012
i was here Apri of 2010 so this review is dated but, I have to give B Smith's their propers. We (a group of 8 women) dined for their Sunday brunch and bottomless mimosas. I stuffed myself silly. I've never had such well-prepared soul food in such a classy setting; very impressive dining experience. Sightseeing afterward was a blur since I was both full and tipsy. I hardly remember the monuments in DC but, I will always remember this diner and the extensive and gratifying lunch with my girlfriends.
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Review from Marcus H.
Washington, DC
3/1/2012
I was raised 5 blocks from Union Station on Capitol Hill. Yes that's right, a true Washingtonian who didn't grow up in the ghettos of DC is on Yelp. As irony would play itself out, I never ate a meal at B. Smith's. For years I walked past B. Smith as I traveled via Metro throughout DC and never once looked twice at B. Smith's.
My friends who work on the Hill suggested dinner here on a Saturday night. I was a little apprehensive considering some of the Yelp reviews below me, but who am I to be a Daniel-downer. And I had to admit I was excited to finally eat at this place that I've always walked past for so many years.
When we walked in I wasn't that impressed by the huge ballroom, but I can appreciate that historically it served it once served the needs of the President. I was even less impressed with the hostess, who obviously did grow up on the other side of the Anacostia river- I kid, I kid. But seriously, she was void of mannerism.
Fortunately, our server was great. He was very attentive throughout the entire night, Even when we kept asking for more time to order. I love food and I was not disappointed by B. Smith's. Actually, I was surprised by how flavorful the food actually was. The corn bread for the table was golden and delicious. I ordered the lemon pepper catfish. I was surprised again by the descent portions for a restaurant of this caliber.
Everything was great. I could not complain. B. Smith's would definitely get 5 stars from me but it's just that friggin' ballroom. I can't stand it. Maybe Sunday brunch would provide a better atmosphere...to be continued. -
Review from Brooke H.
Silver Spring, MD
1/15/2012
I went here for restaurant week and I was glad they offered their same menu, unlike others places I've been to that give you completely different menu items.
Other than that, I have one word for you: over-rated, over-priced and sucks. Ok, that's more than one. But really, I didn't like all three courses. Either it wasnt seasoned enough, didnt taste good and/or was small. My husband and I both said we'd rather have thrown up the meal to make room for some actual good food.
I see that others went for brunch, maybe it's good. But I went for dinner, and it wasnt. -
Review from Lynda H.
Springfield, VA
4/5/2012
This place is a bit overrated. I like the happy hour drink and appetizer options, but the entrees can be dissapointing and overpriced. Service is usually slow and subpar. This is not the place to go when you're in a rush.
Favorites: Fried green tomatoes, catfish fingers, wings -
Review from Myaa Y.
Laurel, MD
11/27/2011
I visited B. Smith's today with three friends for brunch. It was not very busy and we were seated right away. Since it was buffet style, the waiters only served us drinks, took away empty plates and gave us things such as ketchup or hot sauce. I go to brunch pretty often and I can say that B. Smith's was pretty good in comparison. B. as well as her husband were there today and came around and spoke. Both were very friendly.
The breakfast food was quite good with a good selection of fruits, meats (pork, chicken and vegetarian), french toast (YUM), omelets, as well as many lunch options. I am a breakfast kind of girl so I manly stuck to that but I did try the catfish, greens and macaroni & cheese. I will say they have a better lunch selection than most other restaurants that serve brunch.
Unlimited mimosas, sodas and some juices were included in the $30 cost. My only complaint was that the mimosas were not strong enough but who can really be too upset about that? The only dessert I tried was the red velvet cake, which was not very good but you can't win them all! I would definitely go again. -
Review from Chris S.
12/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
Bipolar. That's what is going on at B. Smith's. And as a result, I really wish I could write two separate reviews, as my thoughts on my two dining visits are hugely different. Instead of that I will parcel out below.
Combining my two scores, I will give B. Smith's an overall 3-star rating, combining my two experiences.
1) It was a chilly and rainy spring morning. It was my first ever brunch in Washington DC. I was in town interviewing for and endless stream of jobs, and really just needed a buffet of fatty food and endless champagne. And there she was. B. Smith, her stunning looks, those big pearly whites, and the enigma that surrounded her.
So we went. The brunch was $30 or so, and was all-inclusive. Now, I've been to my share of bottomless or buffet brunches, but B knows what she is doing here. You don't just have the lame buffet of eggs, some breakfast pastry and a specialty omelet stand or something, oh no, it goes much further.
Along with the basics, they had a complete buffet section of southern food. Fried chicken, greens, catfish, mac and cheese, you name it! And then, to kick it up even more, they have both a waffle station (with multiple varieties) and an omelet station!
And if that's still not enough, they have a huge dessert area, in case the fried food wasn't enough for you.
And darn, everything I had was amazing. Having a waiter circle around every few minutes with more champagne truly just added to the wonder of it too!
I would absolutely go back for brunch, and recommend it to anyone.
And now for review #2...
2) We romanticized it. My mother has been a follower of B for years. Her kitchen-diva attitude made her overly jazzed about finally having an opportunity to eat here. So we went on a Saturday night while she was visiting, with a few other friends.
It's so strange. The section of Union Station that B. Smith's is housed in is extraordinarily beautiful. It is ornate, classic and perfectly DC. Yet at dinner time on a Saturday night, we were some of the only guests in the dining room.
Emptiness does not necessarily turn me off though, I mean, more for me!
Before I dive into specifics, let me first say that their portions are seriously way too big. I normally do not complain about such a thing, but seriously, when you can't even fill a dining room on a Saturday night, why the heck would you serve someone a 5 pound dinner plate?
Additionally, I know that it is southern food, and bacon/lard/pork are in basically everything. But their options to get away from the pig was a bit challenging. I ordered some sort of fish, and it, of course, had some sort of bacon in the accompaniments. But, I was able to move things around to get what I wanted.
Quality wise, it seemed everyone at the table agreed that the best thing we ate was the cornbread that was served before dinner. As far as the entrees, they were all rather bla, with nothing special to write home about.
I was really disappointed, as I expected better. And my mother lost a lot of the romantic view of B. Smith and everything that she stands for.
I mean, can you imagine going to a restaurant owned by Martha Stewart (if she owned one) and walking away unhappy? It really taints a reputation, and if B really wants to last in this city, she needs to change with the times and update her menu accordingly. 2,500 calorie dinner portions are no longer the norm, and DC has a lot of southern food competition these days. Find a way to stand out, or I do not see a distant future.
I reiterate, though, brunch is really, really good. -
Review from Valerie H.
Alexandria, VA
3/2/2012
Myself and a friend visited B. Smith's hoping to catch the last bit of restaurant week. Despite indicating that they did indeed serve lunch on Sundays, I was disappointed upon arriving to learn that "lunch" was the same buffet-style Sunday brunch I was trying to avoid at other restaurants. While the food was good for a buffet, the $34 price tag for it was surprising. Turns out that the buffet price included all beverages, which our server did not think warranted mentioning to two individuals who had already told him it was their first time there. Will not be returning... more than enough DC area restaurants to visit instead.
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Review from Virginia D.
El Cerrito, CA
10/5/2011
I came here with a group of 50, so maybe my experience would have been different had I just come with a small group...
the good: props to B for having vegan ribs. I knd of think they are the Morningstar Farms riblets w/ her special BBQ sauce, but I defiintely appreciate tthe effort. nice presentation w/ scads of veggies & a cute sweet potato wedge
the bad: service was slow slow slow. do not serve spicy or salty food if you are not going to give us beverages. we had a weird busboy who would swoop in & take your plate if you even hinted at putting your fork down. it became a joke by the end of the evening.
the ugly: waited 20 miniutes at the EMPTY bar & STILL never got a drink.
the place definitely seems touristy, but for my group (some "country mouse" types who have never been to DC) it was perfect -
Review from Kay A.
Los Angeles, CA
8/16/2011 2 photos
B Smith has definitely passed its heyday. I was there for dinner around 7pm, and the restaurant was not even half full. The food mirrored the atmosphere, as it was somewhat dated and not prepared with much care or attention.
While the decor is somewhat interesting since it is in Union Station and the server tells you the history of the place, including that it was the presidential waiting area for the train, it is not enough to make dinner there worth it.
It starts with the somewhat sad bread basket. The biscuits are the size of maybe 4 quarters put together. I've never seen a biscuit so small in my life! The cornbread is the size of small mini-muffins. I'm not sure what the point of making them so small is. On the other hand, the portions of the actual dishes are rather large. The gumbo and shrimp & grits were both fine, not exceptional or memorable.
I would pass on a meal here, just because the atmosphere is rather dated and depressing, with a lack of inspired food. Go to Art and Soul instead! -
Review from Chris C.
Brooklyn, NY
2/21/2012
Girlfriend and I hit this place for a quick bite on Sunday before our train. What a mistake. Came in through the bar and numerous staff looked at us but didn't greet us, so we sat ourselves. Finally a server came over and took our drink order and mentioned there was a brunch buffet in the dining room and that we should help ourselves. We never saw a menu so we had no idea it was $35 per person! More on that later. The brunch buffet was hardly anything to write home about. Powdered eggs and greasy bacon. I suppose the 'highlight" would be the omelet station. So, after determining that a spinach omelet was pretty much the only healthy option, that's what I got. (Don't come here if you're watching your weight!) My girlfriend is a vegetarian and couldn't find anything she could eat that didn't look gross. And then the bill came. $59.00 for two bloody Marys and an omelet. Outrageous. Asked to speak to the manager. A used sofa salesman with a botched double Windsor named Chris explained that he was sorry we were never told the price but that we should have asked if there was any doubt. He apologized for the server's error and offered me a coupon for a free brunch to be used within the next month. We explained we lived in NYC and had no plans to come back to DC to take advantage of the offer. After some protest he basically shrugged it off and explained if we didn't pay the full check, he would call the police. Great. Call them. So we wait. Two rent a cops show up and take a meaningless report. I was actually looking forward to explaining the situation to a uniformed officer, but alas didn't get the chance. Not wanting our poor server to be docked his wages (as I was certain this evil manager would do) we payed the check and were then ordered by Chris to leave. With only about 20mins before our train, I had very minimal time to screen the homeless people who regularly congregate outside of Union Station for food, so I made a beeline toward the first one I saw digging through a trash can and offered 'Mack,' a disabled veteran, the use of the free brunch coupon, which he was thrilled to use. Wanting to be sure he was fed, I escorted him back into the restaurant where I was met with a terse 'get out' from Chris, and explained that I was happy to leave once Mack was seated...which he was. All in all, I would rate the service as abysmal, the food as slightly worse than a state college cafeteria (seriously, Aramark does way better) and a manager who is in clear need of a refresher course in hospitality...and an afternoon with Tim Gunn at Men's Warehouse. It is a feeding trough, not a fine dining restaurant. Needless to say, I shant be returning.
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Review from Sabrina M.
IL
2/11/2011
Treated myself to lunch here after conferencing and genuinely enjoyed it. This is more a 3 1/2 star review rather than a 4 star review but I had a lunch special, so I'm going to give her the extra half-star.
Located in historic Union Station, it's a beautiful looking restaurant (save for B. Smith's smiling face plastered on posters everywhere-cute, but struck me as a bit narcissistic...)
I almost choked at the lunch prices. $29 for Shrimp & Grits? With no sides? I could feel my Granny glaring at me saying, "Chile, if you order that I will slap you from Heaven!"
Fortunately there was a Black History Month lunch special that fit the bill. Three courses (soup, full-size entree & dessert) for $35. I could live with that.
Loved the butternut squash bisque -- perfect for a windy, winter day. The entree? Let me just say that 3 days after eating it, I'm STILL thinking about that roasted pork with ginger chipotle glaze, braised cabbage & herbed fingerling potatoes. I wanted to lick the plate. It was that good.
I was so full that I couldn't eat the peach cobbler dessert there but they wrapped it for me and it made a great pre-flight snack. So incredibly good!
Note to all restaurants and other establishments having Black History Month "specials": This is how you do it -- dignified, sublime and non-stereotypical.
One of these days I'd like to try the $29 shrimp & grits but I'll wait until one of my fatcat politico or lobbyist friends is treating me! I still think the restaurant as a whole is wildly overpriced. Meanwhile, for a lunch date with myself, B. Smith's was not bad at all. -
Review from Rachel M.
Chicago, IL
3/15/2012
I'm not from the D.C. area but just visited two weeks ago. A friend took me here. I'm not sure what type of food this is supposed to be "soul?" or "creole/cajun?" but I just didn't get it. Whatever type, this seems to be a popular place among the locals, the "stuffy" ones at best, but it was the most overrated, overpriced place I've ever been too. If it's supposed to be soul food, that's a joke, if it's supposed to be creole, that's an even bigger joke. The portions were too small for the ridiculous prices, and the flavors (if you can call them that) were very bland. I've been to many fine dining or upscale restaurants that were of course very costly, but with excellent food. This was not one of them. I am giving it at least two stars, one for the service, and one for the atmosphere...decor of the restaurant was beautiful, and I LOVE Union Station there! Never seen a train station quite like the one in D.C. When I get back that way, this place will not be on my list.
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Review from Mattie C.
6/16/2011
This is more like 2.5 stars, but for the beautiful atmosphere I will round up.
I have never liked this place. My parents liked to take us to eat here when I was growing up and were going to take a train somewhere. Note to people with kids: horrible place for a picky child. The food is kind of fancy and "unique" so to speak, and I could never find anything on the menu that I liked.
Fast forward to now. I have come to this bar for drinks and food with a friend who had just come in on the train. He had heard about this place and wanted to see it. While it was beautiful in the bar area, I couldn't help but notice the snobbishness of the clientele. The bartender wasn't particularly friendly either and there was just a whole snooty atmosphere in the place.
Funny enough, friend arrived and when he opened the menu his excitement dissipated. He also was too picky to handle the menu! We ended up just having some (expensive) drinks and then going somewhere else. Kind of a shame, because I have gotten less picky over the years and some things on that menu looked really good, like the shrimp and grits. Oh well, maybe another time.
High prices, elegant atmosphere, food not suited to the picky eater=not my kind of place. But it is a beautiful place to have a drink and take in the atmosphere. -
Review from D. H.
Alexandria, VA
2/20/2011
Was invited to lunch here yesterday, and it was fortunate that someone else was paying for it.
I last came here years ago, and I had pretty much the same reaction yesterday as I had then--there's just not enough soul in this spot's soul food for me.
The catfish fingers needed spice, and they had a funny lingering aftertaste.
We ordered two desserts that were also underwhelming. The beignets tasted like they weren't done--were very doughy and flavorless. The accompanying caramel sauce didn't help. The sweet potato pie was rich, had the proper texture, but just didn't pack a punch for me.
Cleanliness: I noticed that the tablecloth was dirty a little too late into the meal. I also had to send back a dirty bread plate.
Ambiance: The dining room was gorgeous, and it was very quiet at that time of day.
Overall: I hate to say it, but if invited there again, I would have to politely decline. -
Review from Tierra J.
1/19/2011
Boyfriend and I were jazzed because we got the OpenTable coupon to come here.
We made reservations for 5:45 on Saturday. We arrived on time, but waited for the hostess to get back to seat us. The hostesses are dressed professionally and they are all about business. I like that.
The dining room was pretty empty, but I know that's because we were there a little on the early side.
Our server was Whitney. She was neat and clean with her hair pulled back. FYI- I hate when servers wear their hair down. It means that inevitably, they have to touch their hair to move it from their face and they are probably NOT going to wash their hands immediately after. Anyway, none of that with Whitney.
I was a little shocked that the menu didn't have more stuff. I wanted fried chicken. I can't fry chicken. Someone else should do it for me. B. Smith and her crew would have been great to do that. But that wasn't on the menu. I ended up ordering a pasta dish. Boyfriend, true to himself, got the filet mignon, mashed potatoes, and I talked him out of getting kale or collards to get mac and cheese, so I could taste it.
The food came out pretty fast. Boyfriend's plate had kale instead of the mac and cheese. Not to worry, we told them and they returned in record time with the correct plate. Nice!
Whitney told us a little about the history of B. Smith's and the space we were in. She must have read our minds because we had just been talking about it! So good job there.
The food: My pasta was not good. It was gummy. The sauce was ok, but I wasn't really moved by it. I ended up just eating the shrimp and the sausage out of it. I had a lot left over and Whitney asked if I wanted a box. I said, "You know, it just wasn't that good. It was spicy and all and had some flavor, but it wasn't that good. I'm not sure I'd like to see it again." She, rather abruptly, said, "So you don't want a box," and left.
Boyfriend's filet was smothered in a BBQ sauce. I just knew he'd hate it. But no, he tried it and was super happy with it! I tasted it and it was perfect. The mac and cheese was ok. Not as good as Eatonville's.
So here's the disconnect. Though Whitney was nice enough to begin with, she wasn't personable. Let me explain. I always use a purse hanger to hang my purse on at restarants. Above the table, is a cute diamond-looking thing. Whitney complimented me on it and asked me where I got it. I told her Old Navy.
Well, fast forward to the end of the meal, I got to thinking, "I have another one of these at home and this one is very gently used and if Whitney likes it, she can have it." So, heading out, I said, "Hey Whitney, if you like my purse hanger, you may have it. I have one at home." She scoffed and was like, "Ummm, that's ok." I wasn't trying to be a jackass. *shrug* I was a little put off by that. If she was going to refuse, she could have been a lot nicer about it. -
Review from Jessica L.
Washington, DC
4/21/2011
For me, it's always been hit or miss when it comes to brunch buffets. B. Smith's has one of the best brunch buffets in DC. $35 gets you the buffet and unlimited mimosas /bloody marys. The food is really fantastic.
They offer an omelet and waffle station. They have both breakfast and lunch items including (but not limited to): fruit, bacon, jambalaya, hash browns, scrambled eggs, sausage, salmon, pasta, fried chicken, etc. The fried chicken and catfish were great. For dessert, there were pies, cakes and mini assortment of finger sweets.
Though $35 maybe pricey for some wallets, B.Smith's brunch is great for special occasions, i.e. graduations, Easter, etc.Listed in: Brunchin It!
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Review from Kara W.
11/17/2010
Ambience: elegant and quiet. there was live music being played while I was dining there
The Food: Mediocre- I dined here before a show with some friends. the complimentary biscuits and cornbread were dry and cold. We all ordered different entrees. So, I can say without hesitation that if you tend to order an entree because the side dish sounds appetizing- don't. The side dish portions were small. I ordered the vegetarian ribs with macaroni and cheese instead of the sweet potato okra hash. On one hand, I felt that I should have ordered a separate dish of macaroni and cheese because I almost didn't see my tiny portion that was hiding beneath my ribs. On the other hand, my friend's large bowl of the same side was dry. I've dined at more expensive restaurants and have never been subject to portions that were so small, especially for a "Southern" restaurant.
The Service: Mediocre: At the beginning of the night, our server was mildly attentive, but as the evening went on, she became hard-to-find and somewhat dry, as if we were bothering her. On the plus side, the runners made sure that our water glasses were never empty.
This is a great place to go for cocktails or a happy hour, but that's about it., My lemon drop martini was the best that I have ever had and my friend's cinnmon apple martini smelled and looked amazing.
A word to the wise: Look carefully at your bill and be wary if you pay with a credit card or try to split the check. Gratuity was automatically added to our bill, even though there were only 4 of us. Additionally, we asked that the bill be split between two credit cards. My friend's card was charged correctly (for half of the bill), while my card was charged for the whole bill. Though the matter was cleared up within a few days, I feel that it was only resolved quickly because of my perserverance in making several phone calls to the restaurant. The manager who handled my issue was polite and porfessional, but not very apologetic, leading me to wonder how often this happens at this restaurant. -
Review from Blake J.
Washington, DC
2/8/2011
Went to a late lunch here with a friend the other day and was NOT impressed!
The place was surprisingly completely empty. We were literally the only ones in the main dining room for about 10-15 minutes, before two additional tables were sat. The dining room was vast, well decorated, and had a nice feel to it.
I wasn't starving, so I went with a caesar salad ($9) and a side of macaroni and cheese ($6). My friend just got a caesar salad w/ a cocktail. While waiting for our food we enjoyed the mini biscuits and cornbread they had brought out. Within 5-10 minutes the food came out.
The salads were prepared using whole leaves of romaine lettuce, which I always find to be kind of annoying. I understand that it's for aesthetic purposes, but just cut the lettuce, please! The salad itself was nothing to write home about and was pretty small. Definitely not a salad capable of serving as a whole meal.
The macaroni and cheese came out in a bowl, looking as though it was just scooped out of the pan by a high school lunch lady. Unfortunately, it also tasted as though it had been prepared by a high school lunch lady! It was okay, but definitely no better than something I could have prepared from a frozen dinner.
Service was good.
Overall, I was highly disappointed by this experience and would NOT recommend B. Smith's. -
Review from Steffany H.
Washington, DC
1/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
One of my friends and I planned on coming here for dinner but ended up just having a drink and a few appetizers. The happy hour is pretty good but definitely not lively. Not sure if that's because it's in Union Station or what...
There were a few things on the menu I wanted to try, but nothing really sounded like anything I couldn't live without and the place was so dead it turned me off - AND the kitchen closes at 8pm?!?! You know we're in DC right?!
The featured wine was pretty good - forget the name of the Cab. I had the lamb burgers which were SO good. My friend had the catfish fingers which she wasn't too impressed about.
I'd come here again - maybe - but I'm definitely not dying to come back... -
Review from Kristen P.
Alexandria, VA
3/16/2011
Went here for a Friday night dinner. First, the location is just plain gorgeous. Gorgeous.
We were seated immediately when we arrived. There was a jazz band playing -- they were really great. I wish they didn't stop at 10 pm!
The bread service was delicious! Mini corn muffins and biscuits!
The server was very nice but her spiel came off very rehearsed and unnatural. I really liked that they had a Women's History Month menu.
As an appetizer, we ordered fried green tomatoes. I'd never tried them before and I enjoyed them. They were lightly breaded and topped with ricotta cheese.
Here's what our table ordered as entrees: Swamp Thang (their signature dish with scallops, shrimp, crawfish, topped with greens), shrimp and grits, shrimp etouffee, and meatloaf.
Everyone enjoyed their entrees but none of us were wowed. My dish was probably the best out of all of them -- Swamp Thang. Very flavorful, full of seafood, and the greens were delicious.
For dessert, we ordered a cheesecake to share. It came out and was still pretty frozen in the middle.
I liked this place. However, I did think it was overpriced. If you go, I'd order their specialty dishes -- they'll probably taste the best. -
Review from Tara L.
8/16/2010
Holy bread scraps!
Actually, scratch that. There is nothing holy about the bread pudding. It is definitely, 100% sinful. However, if you're gonna go down anyway...why not do it right?
In my opinion, this bread pudding is worth every mile you need run off. Worth every extra roll that aggregates on your mid-section. Every embarrassing attempt you will make to keep yourself from licking your spoon, plate...and the spoons and plates of everyone in eyesight that may have done themselves a service by ordering the bread pudding for dessert.
It is amazing.
And although I told myself I would only eat half because it was so rich...I kept going. Like a bread pudding eating Marine.
Prior to experiencing the bread pudding as well as a few other restaurant items that are part of the new Fall/Winter menu at B Smith's, I probably would have given the restaurant 3-3.5 star rating. In fact, that is why I had not reviewed it yet. I was just too torn. Some items were spot on, while some of the others were pretty average.
However, after sampling nearly a dozen more items from the menu...I'm sold.
I really enjoyed the Cream of Asparagus soup, which had a lovely hint of nutmeg and/or cinnamon. Gets me excited that autumn is right around the corner. Everyone I dined with raved about the Fried Chicken Livers with Onion Confit and Pineapple Chutney, but I cannot co-sign mostly due to the fact that I'm not a big fan of chicken liver.
However, my absolute favorite entree was the Crispy Grouper with Hoppin John Rice, Swiss Chard and Beurre blanc sauce. It was perfectly cooked, fresh with a nice balance of richness from the Swiss Chard while still maintaining an overall light feel to the dish.
I also love all of the history of the location. It's pretty novel knowing you are eating in what was once the Presidential Suite where former presidents would board and exit their trains at Union Station.
I can't say I would recommend this place if you're looking for good ol', "mama put her foot in it" soul food, Southern Cuisine nor Creole specifically. From my experience, B Smith's is a hybrid of all of these, with an upscale twist to help appeal to a mass audience.
However, this is a great place to take a colleague or friend from out of town, your parents for brunch or even conduct a working lunch with your boss.
It will more than likely result in an overall satisfying experience for all parties.Listed in: Soup...It's What's For Dinner
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Review from Mandana Y.
Bethesda, MD
3/8/2011
This review is just for the brunch. First plus - the restaurant itself. Walking in you just know you're somewhere historic. There are pictures all over the walls (outside of the dining area) of B. Smith with famous actresses and politicians, even her framed invitation to Obama's Inauguration! I was impressed.
The service there was great, I was running about 30 minutes late meeting up my date and when I arrived we went straight for the buffet. When we got back to our table there was a mimosa waiting for me! I didn't even have to ask. The waitress came over and told me she took the liberty of bringing me one because she figured I'd need it after being so late.
And of course, the mimosas are bottomless! Included in the $37 per person brunch buffet. Now was the$37 worth it? Ehhh I donno. The brunch wasn't as epic as I would've liked. Nothing knocked my socks off. Maybe because we got there at 2:30? Had the food been sitting out too long? The food tasted decent, it was nothing that made my mouth water. I think I would've been happier if the price was $30. I think that would've been a more accurate reflection of what we were getting.
Food aside, it is a great place to have brunch. We stayed past 5, and our waitress was accommodating, bringing me drink after drink and never once asked if we wanted the check (I love when servers do that). I think you should try this place out. There is a http://resturant.com deal for dinner , I think it's worth checking out at the discounted price - http://www.restaurant.... -
Review from Les D.
2/20/2011
B. Smith's is elegant dining for the people. Union Station is a wonderful place to visit in near northeast, and B. Smith's has one of the most elegant dining locations in the city. The dining room is spectacular. I mention this first, because it is the restaurant's best feature, and sets a lofty standard for the other elements to meet.
What I mean by fine dining for the people is that the menu (southern comfort) seems in contrast to the space. It's really just a large menu of nice diner entrees. B. Smith's has a number of great menu specials, so let me talk about the food.
Gumbo was spot on. I've had gumbo all over Louisiana (Nola, Baton Rouge, Lafayette), and this was the real deal. Hearty serving with rice. I love that warm, spicy sensation in my mouth after I eat a good bowl of gumbo. Smith's serves mini biscuits and cornbread muffins. Very unique and a lot of fun. I had the meatloaf, mashed taters, and seasonal veg (photo). It was all quite good. Gravy on the meatloaf was nice, portions were substantial, and plating was wonderful. Guest had the catfish served fried. Fantastic catfish. Crisp, flavorful, a little spicy. However, we both made the same comment, the sides were not as flavorful or exceptional as we expected. Mashed potatoes and mac and cheese were just pedestrian. This could stand improvement. Triple chocolate cake for dessert. Can't go wrong with that!
I rate the food three stars, the location five stars. For the price, I just think the food is not a great value. But after deliberating with my guest, I have to give B. Smith's five stars. It's a terrific venue. Live jazz trio. Wonderful service. The vaulted ceilings make for a quiet and romantic setting. B. Smith's is a great restaurant to showcase DC to out of town guests, and for a great evening with someone comfortable with familiar food. Don't forget to take some time to explore the gorgeous east wing of Union Station. Finally, ample parking at Union Station with up to two hours validated parking. Parking ramp on the east side of Union Station. -
Review from amber b.
Washington, DC
4/1/2011
Actual overall rating: 3.5 stars
...not 4 'cause prices did seem a tad high for some things.
Summary:
In the end, we had a nice and attentive waiter/service staff, a wonderful atmosphere, and good music to dine by which to me are worth paying a little more for occasionally...plus the food was good. So, even if we don't make this place a regular spot...I can definitely say we will be back.
Service:
Host was nice...we were promptly seated 5 min earlier than our reservation.
Jamal our waiter was very nice, and gave the historic spiel effortlessly. We weren't rushed and were given ample time to enjoy conversation. More a place for a dining experience... not a quick meal.
Plates were removed and glasses were filled with promptness, and bread basket was refilled just before the entrees came.
Atmosphere:
A beautiful dining room or neat enclosed patio room are your choices. There was also a live jazz band to add to the experience.
Appetizers:
Complementary mini biscuits and corn muffins were warm and delish. Sweet corn muffins had little bits of corn in them, and biscuits had a nice thin honey glaze drizzled sparingly over them. Nice attention to detail.
Fried tomatoes were good. They are marinated so it adds a little extra flavor.
Entrees:
Hubs' shrimp and grits were good, however, made me question the price. I think he had 3 or 4 large shrimp, a grit cake, and some bits of sausage...just didn't seem like a lot for the money. Hubs really liked the sausage and shrimp, but wasn't excited about the grit cake...he liked it but he was expecting something different since it was his first time having them. I mean, grits are grits...silly man
My entree, the ribs, was good for the price. A large 1/2 rack which came with ample greens and mac-n-cheese. Ribs were tender and smothered in a good sauce. Hubby and I shared the sides, and there was still enough to take home with a couple of leftover ribs. The mac-n-cheese kind of tasted like a southern cafeteria's, but that was oddly comforting to me being from TX. The greens however were great...enjoyed them very much.
Dessert:
Bread pudding was ok for me (never ate one before)...but DH liked it a lot. I am not a big cinnamon person and so, like hubs and the grits, I'm sure it was more my problem than a food quality issue. -
Review from Eastie T.
Herndon, VA
3/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place has a great weekend Brunch, one of the best in DC....
they have fresh waffles and a unlimited Champagne (and) Mimosas, what else would you need on a lazy Sunday morning... the crispy bacon, fruit spread, desserts .. everything was good, and the service needs a special mention ..
Will try out on a regular evening again for sure!! -
Review from Jamila T.
1/25/2011
I was invited to eat with a friend and her family that stopped through DC. I had never heard of BSmith, nor did I know who she was. I'm not from DC so maybe that's it... Anywho, she was recognized by some pretty famous people, and many have eaten at her restaurant. So she is pretty popular. How do I know this? There are alot of pictures to stargaze/look at as you enter the dining room.
There were a total of 7 of us... a mix of ages 20s, 30s, 40s and 50/60s were gathered at the table to dine! The restaurant food features a combination of Cajun, Creole and Southern cuisine. They have an entree called "Swamp Thang"... interesting. The dining room was pretty much empty. After dinner, our waiter gave us a tour of the Presidential suite and dining room... the restaurant is located in Union Square so that was a pleasant unexpected history lesson.
Anwho... THE FOOD: I ordered the Lemon Pepper Catfish, which comes with macaroni and cheese and collard greens. I'm from the South, so that sounded like an ideal southern meal to me. And they had sweet tea, which I was happy to order and was not turned down like everywhere else since I've moved up here! lol.
If you remove any idea and expectation of "southern"... then my meal was decent. Sweet tea was disappointing. The fish was ok... I didn't even eat the skin. The mac&cheese was not baked but it wasn't runny. It was a bit thicker than Velveeta consistency. The greens were meh..ok.
My friend ordered the smothered fried chicken with mac and cheese and greens also. Then she asked for some ranch dressing... and the waiter politely told her they didn't have any! lmbo. This is one of those friends who eat everything with ranch and or hot sauce! She was like how you not gonna have ranch in a restaurant!?!? Anywho... some of yall know what I'm talking about. I didn't bother to ask for tarter sauce...lol.
I think everyone was pleased with their meal. Nothing was sent back. We received our food at the same time. The waiter was very friendly, but my glass didn't stay full. I don't know what he was doing because the dining room was 30% full.
So I gave an A-Ok review because it wasn't bad. The food was decent, seasoned and presentation was great.
What made the night better was Mr. uncle payed for everyone lol, so my meal was essentially free. I know my meal itself was $30+tip... I think it was pricey considering that they were not generous with dinner portions. The dining space is VERY nice, and company was good. But unfortunately I would not go back. -
Review from Honey S.
Arlington, VA
8/22/2010
**The review below is just for the brunch. I recently went back earlier this week for lunch and experienced the worst service along with bland food.
What a great place to spend Sunday brunch--two words: bottomless mimosas.
It truly is bottomless. I asked my server to keep my glass full and he sure did. It was a buffet style brunch but I was full after my first plate and couldn't go back for more even though I wanted seconds.
The variety of food isn't as plentiful as some other places but the quality is better than most. I liked everything I filled my plate with: Mac n cheese, gumbo, greens, jambalaya, smoked turkey, etc...
The sweet potato pie was mmmm mmmm good.
Our server was excellent, the dining room is beautiful, and it doesn't hurt that you are sitting in a very historical room. -
Review from Ajuah H.
Menlo Park, CA
10/1/2007
My experience at B. Smith's for my best friend's baby shower was one of the most disappointing in recent memory, especially considering how high my expectations were! When thinking of an upscale, easily-accessible place to host a shower for 35 young professionals, the party planner thought quickly of B. Smith's. However, after booking 6 weeks in advance, she later learned that the private dining room reserved was triple-booked and the reservation was almost canceled- AFTER the invitations had been mailed. When we arrived at 11:50am on the day of, laden with bags and ready to set up, the bartender told us we could not come in because the restaurant didn't open until 12N!!! The floor manager had to override him. When we were led to our room, the wrong menus were laid out and tacky fake flowers adorned the banquet table. We re-re-re-reconfirmed our correct menu and awaited our guests.
Despite a triathalon in the area, our guests were basically prompt and our ONE SERVER took about 25 orders around 1pm from the 5-selection brunch menu. The first wave of meals arrived 20 minutes later - about 8 plates total. From that point on, the meals dribbled in OVER A THREE HOUR PERIOD!!! They were still bringing in platters after we had served the cake (which they cut in the kitchen, but never returned the uneaten portion.) Oddly, the steak and eggs arrived before the omelettes, which didn't start arriving until 3pm! It was unbelievable. No amount of cajoling or berating brought the food any faster, though the main dining room was all but a ghost-town. At least 7 people, who left at 3pm, 30 minutes after the event was slated to be over, never received their meals at all.
You would think, with meals arriving sporadically over a period of THREE HOURS, that at least each meal would be fresh and piping hot - but no. The PLATES were hot, but the food itself lukewarm, leading us to conjecture that the kitchen on site was actually just for show and they had room-temp meals delivered from a mediocre restaurant around the corner.
The (white) floor manager was so embarrassed and mortified that she promised to take care of the bill, but when it came time to settle the bill, the general manager/B. Smith's husband tried to strongarm us into paying the entire bill, without even a discount, saying our orders continued to come to the kitchen all afternoon, which caused the backup. We found this hilarious because the orders to which he referred were actually repeated pleas for the food we ordered hours before!!! The floor manager was called to the carpet and intimidated about the promise she made, but she stuck to her guns and we were comped for the meals - no apology, though. I hope the floor manager was not compromised in any way for being the only one with class on the premises! Speaking of on the premises, B. Smith was on site as well, but never acknowledged the situation or offered any apology.
We've heard great things about B. Smith's and I wish I could stand up for this well-known African-American-owned eatery, but I can not. Please please please take my advice and go to Georgia Brown's for your next gathering or event. B.Smith's is the restaurant Bill O'Reilly THOUGHT he would encounter when he went to Sylvia's that day - the one that typifies all of the worst stereotypes surrounding the professionalism, quality and customer service in African-American establishments (http://mediamatters.or...). Sigh... -
Review from Gracie B.
9/11/2006
The only thing not perfect about B. Smith's is the brunch...for that head up to georgia browns (if you can get a table) otherwise, this place is wonderful. This was my turn to place for out of towners when I lived in DC. The fried green tomatoes are delish - as is EVERYTHING on the menu (that I've or anyone else) has had. My fondest memory is waking up one saturday morning to my aunt nibbling on her leftover ribs from the night before - mmm-mmm. I took my now employer here for my interview....she loved it. Still talks about it. And as a high point - we met B. Smith here for Mother's day brunch last year (again, Georgia's is better)
Prices have gone up a little over the last few years and service has gone down a bit - but its still worth it.Listed in: Project Beltway
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Review from InSil T.
Brooklyn, NY
8/31/2008
Amazing! The bourbon bread pudding was the best dessert I've ever had! We ordered two!
I SHOULD take one star off for our waiter who was sweating profusely, forgot some things on our order, and then bragged that he had worked there for 15 years. But the bread pudding was that good...Listed in: Traveling?
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Review from Chesty L.
Arlington, VA
11/4/2010
Perfectly adequate Southern food in a nice setting.
I had a leisurely lunch here last week. The setting is pretty nice and upscale with lots of tables bathed in natural light. The service was also pretty good; our waiter didn't rush or crowd us and gave us a brief history of the dining room.
Being mostly vegetarian and a mac and cheese lover, I tried the fried green tomatoes, vegetarian BBQ ribs, and the mac n cheese side. The fried green tomatoes were fine; not spectacular and they tasted about as good as all other fried green tomatoes I've tried and were served in the same way, too (w/ goat cheese crumbles and a red pepper sauce). I would not order these unless you're vegetarian and need an appetizer; if I went to B. Smith's again, I'd try another appetizer.
The vegetarian BBQ ribs are *very* similar in taste, texture, and appearance to the frozen Morningstar ribs (wouldn't be surprised if Morningstar made them); the only difference is that they come with B. Smith's own BBQ sauce, which is pretty good (on the sweet side but still decent). I like that B. Smith's offers a true vegetarian entree that isn't simply a bunch of sides or a salad or pasta dish, unlike most Southern restaurants (and actually, unlike most restaurants). However, while the ribs are decent (generously portioned--4 pieces, which is a lot of protein), they are pretty ordinary and forgettable; I wouldn't advise a visiting vegetarian to go out of his way to try these, but they're a good option if he's at Union Station.
The mac and cheese was disappointing. It didn't appear to be the baked kind (which is OK with me); just pasta in a thick and creamy cheese sauce. I think it needed pepper and salt or more flavorful cheese because it was bland and ordinary, which is not good for a Southern restaurant. Again though, portions were good; the big bowl of mac and cheese could have been a vegetarian entree or a side for two.
Overall, B. Smith's is mediocre and mostly great for the nice setting and convenient location in Union Station. But it's not a destination if you're craving Southern food. -
Review from Gayle G.
Woodbridge, VA
11/1/2006
An excellent restaurant right INSIDE Union Station. This place is worth getting to Union Station early if you are taking the train somewhere, orf you can stop in from a trip home. This is one of those "celebrity" chef spots that actually translates well from the recipe book of Barbara Smith.
Every bite was amazing, and the rasberry tea is so, so yummy. Food is simply great. Service is good, the staff seems to try hard. I really enjoyed the elaborate setting. It amazed me how well they can accomodate large parties on a short notice.
The dishes all have a cajun/southern flavor. I highly recommend their signature dish--"The Swamp Thing"-- a mixed seafood dish over southern style greens in a mustard based seafood sauce. So good!
