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I’ve dined at Smithy’s in Leeke Street, more than twenty times in the past six years, consequently it really deserves an entry on this blog. I found the perfect excuse yesterday when my colleagues and I went there for lunch to celebrate the arrival of two of our American counterparts. Smithy’s has both a main bar area for those requiring a liquid lunch, and a separate restaurant area for those with rumbling stomachs. They have a fairly decent menu, with various offerings such as pork medallions, chilli prawns, pumpkin soup etc. However, you just can’t beat their burger and chips; as one of my fellow diners commented yesterday ‘I think that’s the best burger and chips I ever had’. What makes the dish so much better at Smithy’s is the presence of ‘fat chips’ and home made burgers – none of your factory cut potatoes or meat here. On a Monday it’s unlikely you’ll need to make a reservation, but it’s a definite requirement for those visiting on a Thursday or Friday.

Having recently done quite a lot of reading about ‘healthy diets’ I’ve given up eating beef steaks and burgers for the foreseeable future. Yesterday I opted for a chicken ciabata with fat chips; a perfectly good substitute for those sharing my avoidance of cow. In times gone by Smithy’s went through a stage of serving their burger and chips on what I can only describe as ‘wooden chopping blocks’. This was actually something that put us off eating there -  wood carries many germs despite how much you wash it, additionally you could see all the knife marks made by previous patrons! I’m pleased to say that these blocks of wood are now long gone, replaced once again with plates.

The service in Smithy’s has generally always been excellent, yesterday’s lunchtime waitress (a new staff member) was very friendly and helpful. When I ate dinner there in September all three staff were very attentive – arriving at the same time to deliver our dishes and cutlery at one point. If Smithy’s is busy you can sometimes be left waiting for your bill, which is a pain if you’re in a hurry… but no different to any other good restaurant.

Smithy’s Wine Bar
Address: Leeke St, London, WC1X 9JF
Tel: 020 7278 5949

Technorati Tags: smithys, leeke street, king’s cross

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