Smith & Wollensky

Farewell review:

Hearing that this location was closing, I visited twice in their final week to have one of the best burgers in town. I'll be sad to see this place go. (FYI - Rumor is that a posh seafood restaurant will take over this space eventually.)

FOOD: The Wollensky's Butcher Burger comes a premium price, but you get what you pay for. In the last 15 years, this has remained one of the most consistently juicy and broiled-to-perfection burgers in Houston (long before the local burger explosion). The primary difference seems to be that the patty is made of ground steak filet instead of regular ground beef. It's topped off with two thick slices of smoked bacon, Vermont white cheddar, and their house mayo (and I don't normally like mayo at all). Sides: Cole slaw depends a lot on preference, but since I don't like mayo, I like that S&W's doesn't have too much, and is neither too sour nor too sweet. The fries are a nice medium thickness.

The other outstanding dish here is the Truffle Mac & Cheese - the macaroni has never been too mushy or too chewy; the cheese is remarkably creamy for natural, non-Velveeta cheese; and the truffle flavor adds that extra rich, earthy flavor.

Honestly, I don't think the steaks are quite as good as you would get for a similar price at Pappa's Steakhouse or the newer Delta Blues or Vic & Anthony's.

SERVICE: Over the years, service has understandably varied, depending on staff, from excellent to atypically sub-par. One time, for example, I wanted half of my steak sandwich to go, so I separated the bun from the filling so the bread wouldn't get soggy. When I got home, I found that they had not only thrown out the bun (instead of putting it separately), they had also failed to pack the cole slaw, pickle, and bread that was also on my plate. Otherwise, the service is usually good.

I used to love coming here maybe 10 years ago. The past few times I've been, I've been a bit underwhelmed. It never seems very busy and the service has been fairly spotty and inattentive. It's really a turn off when you are trying to get a server's attention but they are texting on their phone or simply disappear.

I do like the menu and the bar sliders concept. The presentation in general is great and always love the bread. Enjoyed the shrimp that was served with several sauces and accoutrements. Also the little takeaways (even cookies) at the exit are fun. I don't love the wines by the glass here as much as all the other steakhouses. Options are fairly limited and very pricey.

I am a fan of their patio and always appreciate the attentive valets.

I guess I was here in a perfect time so the service was pretty nice and attentive. I have been wanting to go to this place and finally I made my stop.

The only issue to me was the I couldn't really see any hostess by the front. We had to go to 2nd floor by ourself then we saw her walking up to take us to our table.

They ran out the oysters on shell so we ordered crab meat cocktail as starer. We ordered steak for 2-chateaubriand 24 oz. for entree with sautéed spinach and whipped potatoes. The crab cocktail was really fresh and good. Our steak was amazing as well. It was cooked as medium rare as I requested.

The interior is cozy and classy. It was best time of the year to come here so you could enjoy the beautiful street view with lights. It's a very classy fine dining and I do like it!

This was my first time and my Birthday so I chose to visit somewhere I hadn't been. Well as I started up the stairs I noticed that the marble was absolutely dirty, and the closer you got to the top a not pleasant smell hit you... Dirty carpet. My friend encouraged me to remain, so I did. I look around and the waiter is rolling a dirty cart cleaning off tables. SMH.....The bread was delicious but the steak was just so-so. I have had better elsewhere. The asparagus "so called" grilled was burned. I had the really nice waiter who sent it back but I would swear they placed it in the microwave because the inside was so hot I couldn't eat it right away. Bathroom floor was sticky and well look at the picture and that will tell you what else is not cleaned. Not one time did the manager come check on anything. Pretty rotten for the price of the meal. I won't be coming back....
$56.29 wasted......

Came here for lunch to try their HRW menu. We have not been back since we first moved to Houston 2005.

Overall, the foods are average and did not taste as fresh as the other steakhouses.

1. Grilled romaine salad - decent
2. Rib Eye carpaccio - decent
3. Scallops - cooked okay but did not taste fresh
4. 8 oz filet - cooked perfectly but was not flavorful and tasted like it's turning
5. Mushrooms - side tasted okay
6. Fries - side tasted okay
7. Coconut cake - dry
8. Chocolate cake - okay

We ordered Pellegrino and cocktails. Moscow mule is average. Manhattan did not have the Luxardo cherry based on description so it makes me think the entire drink did not honor the listed ingredients.

Service was average. We will not come back as there are other fabulous steakhouses in Houston. I would NOT recommend going here for food.

(Last Sunday)
Restaurant Week time in the Summer of 2018. I had been wanting to visit since 2016, but was going to order an appetizer and a beverage. I started with the restaurant menu starter beginning with the Rib Eye Tip Carpaccio with crostini and arugula with fresh Parmesan cheese with lemon oil for a flavorful plating. This was a delightful appetizer to my meal and thought each bite was scrumptious. I realized I could have eaten this dish a little slower, although I ate my food at an average rate of speed. I wanted to enjoy the flavors a bit more. I didn't have wine, but the iced tea was a nice change especially, pouring my own syrup from the flask into the tea.

Following the starter was the salmon with wholesome prepared quinoa with harissa, mint, yogurt and lemon. This is good, but not mashed potatoes or macaroni and cheese. This was a healthy lite protein with natural flavors. The salmon was cooked well and gracious to have this selection of fish on the menu, I did have a challenging time deciding on whether to eat with fork vs knife and fork together. I've done both in the past, but this time was due to the cooked skin on top. Aha! I managed through the entree. The rolls were baked together in a design like monkey bread with sprinkled seasoning and butter on top. If I were famished I could have eaten the entire plate of bread before my food arrived on the table.

No Dessert? Dessert? I did not order dessert and parted with my remaining meal, deciding plans to
return and order from the regular restaurant menu at a future time.

5 Stars for having menu choices with a price that allows for quality food choices. This is one for restaurant week at Smith and Wollensky in Highland Village.

At the table,
Foodie Kim

One boring weekend we were sitting at home trying to come up with something fun to do. The weather wasn't great so that limited us on anything outside. I suggested that we have a date night. Those are always fun... right? So my hubby said that he'd like to go out for a great steak. He suggested another one of the popular steakhouses in Houston. I called to make reservations but they were all booked up. So, I suggested Smith and Wollensky. I drive past them several times a week because I work in the Galleria area and I LOVE Central Market which isn't too far away from there. So, I called them up and they had an available reservation so I jumped on it! I've never tried them before so I really didn't know what to expect... but I love steak and was hoping that they'd be good.

Upon arriving we parked valet. No problems there... except I think my poor little Mazda felt out of place beside all the other more expensive cars. LOL We did arrive a little bit early so our table wasn't quite ready so we went to the bar and ordered a drink while we were waiting. The bar area was a decent size with flat screens playing sports. I guess your typical bar. We also got lucky that there were a couple of seats available right at the bar. Took a seat and ordered a martini. The bartender was very professional and made our drinks to order. My husband had a bloody Mary and said it was very good... with just the right amount of kick. We didn't have to wait long when the hostess came over to the bar to get us.

We were sat upstairs... the dining room was very nice. There was a lot of woodwork and it was well taken care of. After glancing at the menu we decided on an appetizer to share. We got the lobster cocktail. OMG!!! It was SOOOO good. Just thinking about it makes me want to go back. For my meal I ordered the Ribeye (can't remember which one) and my hubby went for the New York Strip. We also got asparagus and onion rings on the side and I ordered a side salad before my steak arrived. They also brought out some bread before the meal. That bread was DELISH!!! The salad was a salad... nothing great... but just what you'd expect a salad to be.

When the steak arrived I have to admit... I took one look at it and though... EH... this doesn't look all that wonderful but I gave it a try anyway. When I went to cut into it... it was so tender and juicy. My first bite was like heaven. That steak was one of the best steaks that I've ever had. Thank goodness I didn't judge a book by its cover. I would have totally missed out. I cannot say enough good things about that steak. The sides were really good as well. They stood up great next to the steak.

Of course we had to close out the meal with desert. We shared the Crème Brule... it was delicious as well. It ended up being the PERFECT date night with the perfect man. I cannot wait to do it again... SOON!!!

The ambiance was nice, the service great, but alas the food was not. The star of the evening, the steak (Twin Filets Wrapped in Bacon) was not anything better than I've gotten elsewhere; in fact, I've had MUCH better at less expensive restaurants.

The table shared the truffle mac & cheese and duck fat roasted vegetables (potato and carrots only). Half the potatoes were cooked perfectly, the other half undercooked (almost raw), and two of the four of us did not like it at all. The mac & cheese was good, but nothing special.

On the positive side, these were ordered as a side dish for one, but were large enough for all four of us to share. We also enjoyed the Wollensky salad, also large enough for two; and the bread was yummmmmyyyyyyy.

If I could give it 2 1/2 stars I would, but it is simply not 3. After years of looking forward to eating at Smith & Wollensky, I found it overpriced and more hype than quality. I have no plans to return, and I would not recommend.

Growing up as a child I aspired to eat here. I use to see this restaurant off Michigan Ave when we'd travel to Chicago. It was a bit out of reach for my mom.

Fast forward to today where I've since eaten at some of best steak houses in the country and yet this feeling of nostalgia for this place got me excited when I saw this place.

What a disappointment! I like to sit at the bar when I'm alone to take in the vibe, energy and see how the operation moves. The staff looked unhappy. The greeter/manager spoke very negatively to his staff in several occasions of customers. One particular instance some guest ordered a bottle of wine and sent it back because it was too cold. The GM used profane language about the guest in front of me to his staff.

For a restaurant that positions itself and prices itself on the high end, this is unacceptable.

The food was uninspired. Unbeknownst to me it was restaurant week. I had the Caesar salad, 8 oz filet and cheesecake. I also ordered a side of hashbrowns.

Highlight of meal: bread service and hashbrowns and getting my check.

There were many other issues, with service; or lack thereof.

With what they're putting on the plate, I don't know how this place will make it. Uninspired staff, service and bland/boring food is a recipe for disaster.

This is by far the longest review I've typed. Gives you a sense of how unfulfilled I am.

Wish I had gotten my money back.

I love S and W! Incredible food and service! One of my all time go-to's. Everything on the menu is absolutely divine. I came in today after an easy work day, finally. I ordered a martini (they make arguably one of the best I've had)!
TY Brian! Even though I only took a couple of sips, I sat there and watched as the manager kind dresses down her staff. It was weird and uncomfortable. There were only about four or five other people in the bar area.

Due to the fact that I was sitting at the bar, I had a
first hand view of it go down. Afterwards, she and I actually chatted for a little bit. And as quickly as our convo began, it ended with her walking away from me, which didn't bother me, but struck me as strange.

Texas is a home to all kinds of amazing people. I've been a patron for over 7 years, and to watch the bartenders treated like amateurs, was pretty uncomfortable. Oddly enough, I was sent a request by the company via email to submit a review. I was kind of bored, so did. What I posted on their website is relatively close to this Yelp review.

What a mistake. I went outside in hopes of smoking a cigarette, which never happened. I also had at least half a drink left. Strangely, Luciana stepped outside and asked me to leave before she called security. She let me know that she doesn't micromanage, and that I needed to leave the premises otherwise the aforementioned security would be summoned.

After about 10 minutes I went back in to pay my tab because I don't believe in walking out without paying my tab regardless of the circumstances.

I don't know the bartenders personally but they've always been good to me and every patron I've ever seen there. I have a really neat group of friends who introduced me to this place, and have hired S&W not only barbecue kick off, but also Super Bowl parties in the past. I do love
S&W. That is all!