Edgy New England seafood w/ creative seafood dishes & a moody, intimate vibe.
Willa Moore reviews Smithereens, a New England-inspired seafood restaurant in the East Village, praising its innovative dishes and atmosphere.
This East Village spot offers a moody, intimate atmosphere reminiscent of a modern New England seafood shack. Chef Nick Tamburo crafts expertly prepared seafood dishes with creative twists, such as grilled amberjack and mackerel with unique pairings like beans with shrimp and uni. The wine list, curated by sommelier Nikita Malhotra, focuses on bright white wines to complement the seafood. Desserts range from polarizing creations like a celery root float to a more universally loved apple cider donut.
The restaurant specializes in New England-inspired seafood with a creative, edgy twist. Standout dishes include their praised lobster roll, unique takes on clam chowder, grilled mackerel, and creative preparations like beans with shrimp and uni. While many dishes receive high marks for flavor and execution, some diners have found certain offerings to be bland or unimpressive. Desserts can be polarizing, but the apple cider donut is often recommended.
"The lobster roll is frequently praised, as are the grilled mackerel and unique creative seafood preparations like 'Beans'. The apple cider donut is also a recommended dessert option."
Customers generally have a positive view of the restaurant, particularly praising its innovative seafood dishes and excellent cocktails. However, some find certain dishes underwhelming or flavorless, and a few have noted issues with service.
Important Note
Some diners have found the food to be underwhelming or flavorless, and a few have experienced less-than-ideal service. The desserts can be polarizing.
"Smithereens is suggested as having a vibe that is more relaxed and quirky than Bridges, but with similarly great and cool food."
Positive"Smithereens is recommended as a replacement for Crevette and Jeju Noodle Bar."
Positive"Smithereens is highly recommended, though obtaining a table can be difficult. The restaurant is known for its creative seafood dishes."
Positive"Smithereens is mentioned as a restaurant at the forefront of great and creative seafood dishes in NYC. It can be tough to get into, but showing up early or taking a bar seat might work."
Positive"The commenter highly recommends Smithereens, especially if you enjoy good wine, noting Nikita as one of the best sommeliers in the city."
Positive"Smithereens is listed as a restaurant suggestion."
Neutral"The author felt that Smithereens did not have enough lobster meat for the price and was not particularly tasty."
Negative"Smithereens is mentioned as being very good, though the author questions if it's a different style than Maine lobster rolls."
Positive"Smithereens is mentioned as having an excellent lobster roll, and it is on the author's list to try."
Positive"Smithereens is listed as a recommendation."
Positive"Smithereens is mentioned as a 'fancier' spot in the East Village where one can dress up, noting the general chill vibe of such places."
Positive"Smithereens is recommended as a potential date night spot."
Positive"Smithereens is recommended if you sit at the kitchen bar counter."
Positive"Smithereens is suggested as a great option for a kitchen view, though it might be a tough reservation to get."
Positive"The commenter had one of their best meals of the previous year at Smithereen's."
Positive"The user mentioned Smithereens as a restaurant that opened in October and was covered by food media almost a year ago, questioning its inclusion on a 'best new restaurant' list due to being 'old news'."
Neutral"The user found Smithereens to be very underwhelming and not worth the high cost."
Negative"The user mentioned Smithereens was fine but did not stand out among other new restaurants they tried."
Neutral"This commenter recommends Smithereens for those seeking a similar vibe to Theodora, noting it has an excellent wine list and good value."
Positive"The user had a delicious experience with a collaboration involving Smithereens and is looking forward to trying the restaurant."
Positive
