Smiths

Second time I’ve been to Smiths and it won’t be the last. Great food, great service and just a really nice place. Im a loud American an our steaks can not be beat! But this was a thing of beauty and cooked perfectly to a medium rare. I regret not taking more photos but the Brits started looking at me funny and I was trying to play it cool… Go there if you can afford it! Fuckin delish

We’ve visited this restaurant a number of times over the years. It’s a bit expensive and quite a drive from our home, but we thought it would be a great venue for our friend’s birthday meal last night. From the moment you walk in, the emphasis is very strongly on good service and staff are well trained to provide it. Excellent menu of white fish, salmon, crab, lobster etc. plus a selection of steaks and roast meats, big choice of vegetables and everything beautifully presented. Tip: if you live nearby/​can afford it, arrive and leave by taxi so that everyone in the party can actually enjoy the wine.
Portions are quite generous too. I struggled to finish everything I had ordered even the perfectly cooked asparagus and none of us made it through to the dessert menu.
The downside is that Smith’s is rather noisy, so it is difficult to hold a conversation at normal volumes. We were particularly unlucky to be seated close to a lady with such a high, shrill voice that I left with a thumping headache and in wonderment at her fellow guests’ calm acceptance of the ear-​splitting tones.

Been going to Smiths with my Wife for years now, never have a bad meal. West end service in Ongar. By far our favorite restaurant.
Highly recommended.

Always fantastic food, Value Prices and great atmosphere, Make this the number one choice for Fish can’t wait to try new branch opening in London

Fantastic fish and great service always a pleasure to go here but make sure you book well in advance at weekends it is packed
Lobster is the best and eton mess ummm

I visited Smiths last night, with a birthday party of six. An impressive menu and at the price each of us were anticipating an impressive meal. Eat out a lot but not normally at these prices, so were expecting a lot. In football terms the meal was very much a meal of two halves. The starters did not disappoint. All the starters we had looked good, ranging from oxtail soup, sardines to Mussel and scallops, and I’m assured by they rest of the party, tasted equally good. I had the prawn and avocado salad which tasted excellent. The portions were very generous, a few of us would have settled for a starter only; that’s how generous they were. To the mains: these in general did not live up to the quality of the starters. A few of us had lobster thermidore. I have had this before in Lanzarote and I was impressed, however Smiths take on this dish did not match the quality of my previous experience, for one it was not particularly well cleaned and prepared. The other dishes were fairly run of the mill, ie Rib eye steak, cooked well, cod in batter, nothing exceptional, and a chicken dish, ok.
The service was pleasant, if not particularly efficient. Several items we had ordered throughout the meal failed to arrive and we had to remind staff what we had ordered, but to give the staff their due, all these items were deducted from the bill.
One more thing: If you visit the restaurant, and you ask for a list of beers available, don’t expect to understand the list which the waitress reels off to you, albeit a very short list, as they only do two ales and two lagers. I had to ask the waitress to repeat it twice and even then, I did not understand a word she said.
With reference to the Guardians food critics comments, all I can say is: he can’t get out much.

An excellent fish restaurant with good wine list and service. Thoroughly high standards whenever I have been there.
Adrian Winbow