Restaurant Review - Smith & Wollensky – Atlantic Wharf

Smith & Wollensky – Atlantic Wharf

294 Congress Street
At Atlantic Wharf
Boston, MA 02210

617-778-2200

Yes, we visited in April, 2012. Going back so soon?  Not really…let me tell you about it.

It was July 4th in Boston. A hot, overcast day and I had to work for a while in the financial district in downtown Boston. My daughter, who has decided going to a Steak House once a month with her boyfriend is just the thing to do (I’m so proud), wanted to get together. Why not head to the water for beef?

Boston is a walking city, and we wandered over to the Boston HarborWalk area around 3:00. The area was teeming with tourists and various seafaring types (from the Navy and the Tall Ships.)  We headed toward the money…the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston…one of Boston’s more recognizable landmarks (the building with the hole in it.) Walking from the Rowes Wharf area on the HarborWalk, in the shadow of the InterContinental Hotel and just before the Boston Fed is Smith & Wollensky – Atlantic Wharf.

This 10,000 square foot restaurant overlooks the HarborWalk and is very inviting as a place to people watch on the outdoor patio, bar and lounge. The restaurant also makes a nod to the harbor, with a full-service raw oyster bar.

On this hot day, and after walking around town, we decided to sit in the air conditioned comfort of the facility.

For those worried Smith & Wollensky might lose its roots moving to the water, our waiter quickly arrived dressed in the signature greed S&W jacket. The menu looks the same, and checking on the website they look identical.

For our dinner we went with a Cajun ribeye, Salmon and a Filet. As you would expect in a high end steak house, all were prepared fabulously and our asparagus and onion ring sides were plenty for three. I also went with a wedge of lettuce with balsamic and bacon…and swear there had to be 3 ounces of bacon on the salad.

My daughter wanted dessert with the boyfriend and I passing. Good thing…the carrot cake was enormous and couldn’t be finished by the three of us.

There are parking lots around the restaurant a short walk away. If arriving as a group, I would tend to suggest using the valet.

Boston is home to many fine steakhouses, with Smith & Wollensky offering two. While the menus are the same, the ambience is decidedly different. The Back Bay has the heavy steakhouse feel, with the Atlantic Wharf location having a feeling of openness and airiness about it.

You can’t go wrong with either location.

Smith & Wollensky was founded in New York in 1977 by Alan Stillman, best-known for creating T.G.I. Friday's. There never was a Smith or a Wollensky, company lore has those names being selected at random from the New York City phone directory. (The grand opening announcements listed the names Charlie Smith and Ralph Wollensky, the first names Charlie and Ralph were donated by Stillman’s dogs.)  The two Boston locations are owned by a separate entity, Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group, Inc., (headquartered in Boston’s financial district at 260 Franklin Street) who also owns locations in in Miami Beach, Chicago, Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Columbus, and Houston.)

Hours

Monday through Saturday: 11:30am-12:00am
Sunday: 11:30am-11:00pm

Smith & Wollensky – Atlantic Wharf gets a

       Green Light – Go and enjoy

About the RAG scale:

       Green Light – Go and enjoy

       Amber Light – Use caution

       Red Light – Save your time and money

The Author

Gary Kelley has lived in Westborough since 1994. His reviews are what he would tell friends, and are not an academic analysis. You can follow him @glkelley or www.garylkelley.com