Smith’s of Cohoes

Cohoes should be thrilled to have this restaurant within its city limits. Beautiful bar area. Ate in the dining room on a Saturday night. Server knowledgeable and personable. Food was excellent. Steak cooked EXACTLY as I had requested. Chef came out as well. Water glass was refilled each time it got low without having to ask. Exceptional food. Exceptional service. Don’t know what took me so long to go, but I will definitely be back.

A gem — and easy to get to. The menu has great selections with old favorites done with a new flare. And at the end, try the shortbread ice cream… amazing!!!

Gorgeous atmosphere great food and good prices!!! Love the food selection and specials too. They have live music sometimes and it’s nice to hang out in the circular bar seats that were imported from NYC! Fun fact! It’s a big open space in there so you can easily fit a large crowd and room for dancing. The menu actually has a history of the building and its contents written on the back – it’s pretty neat… Service is great, even at the bar. I highly recommend it to anyone in the area!

We went to Smith’s for Valentines Day for the first time. The atmosphere was very cool. The bar is amazing. The menu includes a detailed history of the building which we found very interesting. The tables near the windows were very cold but it’s was below zero that night also. We were immediately given a table in the center of the room when we voiced concern. The wine list was thorough and prices very reasonable. Their specials for the holiday were above our expectations. The caramel, walnut chocolate cake was to die for and I am not a dessert person. The fresh oysters were perfect. The tomato basil bisque was amazing. Service was very good also. We definitely plan to return!

I was not a fan! The service was great (though the seating/​lack of host situation was awkward) — our server was friendly and enthusiastic. Also nice to dine fireside, and we loved that smithwicks was on tap. But that was about where the goodness ended.
We came here on a whim because we didn’t feel like driving, and we were surprised by the attempted upscale atmosphere (table linens, servers in ties, etc.) I wasn’t really looking for a nice (pricey) meal out so I opted for french onion soup and wedge salad. The soup was super duper rye strong. I get that some people would love that, but I am unfortunately not one of those people, thus I would have appreciated a warning for such a strong flavor. I’m not picky about much food wise, but rye is just something my tastebuds are not down with. The wedge salad was totally disappointing as well. Just all around lackluster. When tomatoes aren’t in season I feel like they should use hydroponic cherry or grape tomatoes or anything instead of serving unappetizing bland, questionably textured unripe tomatoes. And should caprese salad really be on the menu in the winter? Not if they use the same tomatoes as they did in the wedge! I requested the balsamic glaze that they put on the caprese for my wedge (this is a normal wedge salad ingredient elsewhere so though I felt like a super diva requesting it I did it anyway cause it makes all the difference… I had actually planned on bringing my bottle from home to not be a nuisance but I forgot it…) but what came out was not a glaze at all; just vinegar. Not what I was looking for, but whatever. The salad wasn’t good enough for it to matter much anyway. Hub got the haddock special. Super fishy in a not so good way (coming from seafood lovers). We weren’t big fans. The scalloped potatoes accompanying the fish were good though!
Overall I just feel like this place is too expensive for mediocre, trying to be fancy but not hitting quality dinner. We’d come back for the bar but that’s it unfortunately. OH and there was a super unappetizing odor in the hallway connecting bar and dining room. Smelled like an nyc alley on a sweltering day. I don’t enjoy being this harsh but in my opinion this place needs to step it up in the kitchen and cleanliness while they’re going after this price point & upscale ambiance. This all being said, I also don’t think I fall into the current target market for this establishment and can see how those from «greater» generations may really enjoy this place. I could see my grandparents liking it, and our palates are not usually on the same page, nor in the same chapter. Maybe we’re not even reading the same book. So that is worth something.

The food was excellent, the menu was full of choices, the specials were even better! We sat in the bar area, and the waitress had the bartender Brian, wait on us, and even with a full bar, he was great.

Just have a very delicious dinner. I love liver (though I know many don’t) but this was one of the best I have had. Cooked correctly, sweet and tender. Service was excellent. sides were homemade not packaged or frozen.

New to Cohoes, my girlfriend and I decided to have dinner at Smith’s. We had been in a few times for drinks on a prior Saturday and enjoyed ourselves. The bar is really long with some seating in the same room. Good selection of draft beer and about any liquor you could ask for.
Anyways, we made reservations for a Thursday to sit in the dining area and give the food a shot. We are so happy we did! We were seated quickly to a table next to the fireplace. The dining room has a very cozy feel. I went ahead and ordered the chicken parm while my other half got the chicken piccata. We both opted to go with the tomato crab bisque for our starter instead of salad. This was unbelievably good. The tomato part was a great twist on traditional crab or lobster bisque’s we have had at other places. Our dinners came out right on time. My chicken parm was great and Katelyn said she loved the piccata. Both were served with pasta and certainly filled us up.
I don’t normally write reviews but I was so impressed by our food, service and the overall ambiance. Our server, Evelyn, was so very nice as was the other waiter who assisted, Chris, I believe was his name. On top of that, the owner, Joe, was nice enough to come out to the dining room and ask us how everything was and welcome us to the neighborhood. It’s the little things that matter.

I went for the first time in 10/17/15…happily surprised .what a pretty place. people were very nice. food was delish and I will be going back.

Last evening we dined at Smith’s Restaurant. As we walked into the restaurant, we were greeted. The bar is so beautiful, very old and quaint. We were seated right away in the dining room. very lovely. Evelyn was our server. Drinks were ordered as we looked over the menu. We decided on beginning with soup. Mine was a crab tomato bisque. Just divine. My friend had the turkey navy bean which she said was perfect. I had the in house roasted turkey dinner. excellent. mashed potatoes, dressing, cranberry sauce and delicious turkey. and gravy… all white meat. Also served with vegetables. My friend had a pot roast cheese melt. It was served with fries. She loved it… Service by Evelyn was great without being intrusive. We had 2 drinks. 2 soups, 2 entrees and 2 coffees. The bill was just under $ 50.00. we were very pleased and will certainly return. maybe next time we will try lunch.

Me and my family just ate there for my Granddaughter’s birthday dinner and we truly enjoyed the food! Our waiter «Chris» was superb! We will go there again!

I had heard positive things about Smith’s but never felt pulled across the river to Cohoes. We saw a living social deal and it reminded me that I had wanted to try it out. Love the old school ambiance and décor… the bar here is no joke. Our service was excellent, and we were very pleasantly surprised by the quality of all of the food. For everyone complaining about the prices, yes you certainly can get cheaper food at a chain or somewhere that’s ripping open bags from Sysco and dumping them onto your plate. If you are interested in high quality food that is prepared in house from scratch with quality ingredients, you will not be disappointed.

Moved to Cohoes 2 years ago and this instantly came my all-​time favorite go to spot. I’m there at least once a week and the food is always amazing, everything from the bar apps to the Prices are ridiculously reasonable for this day in age. The interior and history of the place and the looooooooong wooden bar gives it a little added coolness factor! :)

I generally enjoy myself every time I go to Smiths. The food is reliable, and satisfying, I just wish there was a larger selection, or something on the menu that REALLY peaked my interest.
I think a big draw is the bar area, which is huge but still feels cozy.
I’m glad there is SOMEWHERE to go in Cohoes, but if I didn’t live nearby, I don’t think I would go out of my way to go.

We celebrated our anniversary this evening.
I had the French onion soup and the twin sirloin special with horseradish and Gorgonzola. I had a Caesar at the side. Very good. Nice to have salad properly dressed, not dressing soup!
Hubby had French onion with the filet. Mashed and green bean side.
Very nice.
Service could be a bit quicker, but our server was excellent and sweet. We will be back.
Thank you

I wish I could give Smith’s another half star but Unilocal doesn’t allow it. The old pub feel was charming but lacked something in the dining area. It feels too disjointed.
I went with a salad, as the menu was not vegetarian friendly (expected based on the website), and it was predictable but fresh and not tough to eat.
Overall, I will be back as this place is close, clean and reliable with great service but Smith’s doesn’t take any risks with its menu. Oddly, I’d rather drink at Smith’s and eat at the wine bar down the street. Those being the only decent options found in Cohoes so far… I’m glad they are here.

I was debating between 3 and 4 stars. I recently moved to Cohoes a few months ago and have tried out Smiths twice. I like that this restaurant is here since there’s not much else…
Both times I received excellent service and I really love eating here because I feel like I’ve been transported into the 50s era. I always eat by the huge fire place and I admire the tin ceiling tiles and woven ceramic floor. The bar is long and beautiful. The restaurant is clean and homey.
The food can hold its own. You can tell the chef puts effort into the menu which I appreciate– housemade dressings, real romaine lettuce for the house salad (iceberg makes me sad), and the selection of entrees includes comfort food among other unique items. My husband ordered the perogies and kielbasa, I had the fettuccine Alfredo. Both were delicious.
Negatives: I think the prices are a bit too high for the city of Cohoes. We paid about $ 60 bucks which isn’t too bad, but I hope Smith’s can pull in customers who are willing to travel to Cohoes. I think it lacks that *star* quality that would pull me inif I lived further away, even if I was coming as close as Latham.
It’s worth trying, though, if you’re ever in the area.

Last night was our 2^nd visit to Smith’s, we had a nice dinner there about a year ago with some friends and returned on our own because we remembered the food was great as well as the service. I had made reservations because we traveled from Schenectady and wanted to make sure we wouldn’t have to wait for a table. We were seated promptly there was probably only about 4 – 5 other tables occupied by parties of various sizes. I immediately recalled the especially dim lighting which is absolutely terrible to try and read the menu, it may be intimate but I think we could turn that dial up another notch and not lose the mood. If you are trying not to be seen in public, this may be the perfect place!
We really enjoyed the appetizers (fried goat cheese and crab cakes) as well as the soup and salad that accompanied the meals. The day had been cold and rainy so I had ordered a cup of hot tea upon our arrival and I was presented with a large box of assorted herbal teas which is impressive — however I just wanted plain ol tea like lipton and I was promptly informed that they only serve whats in the box… bummer. With my dinner I had ordered one of their signature fruity martini cocktails which was very tasty and when I had ordered it I told the waitress that I would like to try the chocolate martini with dessert.
I once again order the turkey dinner which I have to say was good but not as awesome as I remembered. My husband had the homemade pierogies w kielbasa that he really enjoyed — I kept thinking the serving he got although not overpriced at all was on the small side compared to the quantity of food on my plate — he was finished while I was only ½way done. The server immediately came and cleared his plate — this is a NO NO in dining etiquette! … if a guest is only halfway through their meal (especially a woman) you do not clear dinner plates from the table unless requested. Made me feel as if I was rushed — which I was about to be!
The minute I finished eating the waitress came and cleared my plate as she passed by to the kitchen

Smith’s continues to impress. Was in again for lunch, and it happened to be National Donut Day. So I tried the special — bacon cheese burger on a glazed donut. Sounds gimmicky but the flavors actually go together very well.

After moving to Cohoes I was told this was one place I need to go. Went here for lunch with my buddy Eugene L. The French Onion soup sounded good so I got a crock of that and was very satisfied. For lunch they don’t have a huge variety other than burgers and sandwiches. I was in the mood for wings so I figured I’d give it a shot. After trying them, this is definitely not what they are known for. They were edible but when you are a wing connoisseur like myself they don’t stand a chance. I would love to come back and try their dinner and write an amended review, hopefully adding another star, but for now the lunch is just average.
Service was very good and I love the old fashioned décor. They also have the biggest booth EVER located by the bar which was awesome.