Smollensky's Restaurant, London > Reviews

Advantages: near tube, lots of outdoor seating
Disadvantages: poor service, expensive

We were looking for somewhere to go shopping the other week rather than the west end & I suggested Canary wharf. It’s turned into a proper little shopping complex over the last couple of years & is only about 20 minutes away from Aldgate so off we popped. Once there, rather than go to Pizza Express or Tootsies as we normally do, I suggested we went to Smollensky’s as we had enjoyed proof reading their menu & finding many mistakes last time we went. ... Read review

Advantages: Views of Tower Bridge
Disadvantages: Price, service

Advertised as an American Bar and Grill, Smollensky’s now have five restaurants located in London – The Strand, Finchley Road, Hammersmith, Wapping and Canary Wharf. Their reputation precedes them – it was only based on a recommendation from someone else that I found myself here a few weeks ago. My experiences relate solely to the Wapping diner – the category here is quite generic, but if anyone objects I can always ask for ... Read review

Advantages: Convenient for theatreland and Covent Garden
Disadvantages: No atmosphere when empty

My wife and I booked for lunch yesterday mainly because the menu is marked with gluten free products (she suffers from Coeliac Diease and so needs a gluten free diet). It was OK but nothing to write home about. We thought it might be busy - Central London on the Strand - and so booked in advance, on line. No problems with the booking, straight through with an e-mail confirmation by return. We arrived in good time for our 1.00pm booking to find ... Read review

Advantages: Quality of steaks, delectable desserts
Disadvantages: service can be slow when busy, especially on the bar

My first few visits to Smollensky's in the Strand were girls' nights out, but since I met my second husband it has become our no.1 special romantic dinner venue. It's just a short walk along from Waterloo bridge on the south side of the Strand and almost hides under a modest sign and an entrance that takes you straight downstairs into the cellar bar and restaurant. It's clientele vary from night to night and also on what time you go in. Early ... Read review

Advantages: price, atmosphere
Disadvantages: tries to be the "perfect" American restaurant

Smollensky’s appears to be trying to be the all American restaurant for any type of tourist or west end visitor. It now feature jazz, and a fairly standard menu. The kids get free balloons, and we did notice that more than a few were allowed to run riot. The food is decent, the wine is affordable (notable absence of many of the pricey labels) and the atmosphere is a far cry from the TGI alternative to McDonalds and Burger King. The staff couldn’t ... Read review