The Open Guide to London: the free London guide

Smiths of Smithfield

SoS is a multi-floor bar and resturant located opposite Smithfield market on the north side (on Charterhouse St). Overall it's an upmarket kind of place, where the staff hand you your change on little trays, there's a doorman and someone to get you minicabs home, and even the toilet has an attendant, who will turn taps on for you, squirt soap in your hands and then expect a tip.

Layout

SoS has four floors. The ground floor is a bar, the first floor a cocktail bar, the second floor a brasserie, and the third floor is a more formal dining area.

The ground floor is one glass fronted room with a collection of sofas, large tables (which will fit about twelve people or so on each) and smaller round tables. The whole place is large compared to your average pub or bar, and features a bar that runs the whole thirty meters along the back of the room with space to stand in front of it.

The toilets are located on the first floor, but there is a lift for disabled access.

Food

The third floor features the well known resturant (which someone else will have to review, myself not having been there). Signs also claim to do takeout during the day from the ground floor.

Not really a review, as I have no idea of prices, but the third floor restaurant is very good, if usually busy at lunch times. The selection on the menu is good, but I don't think it's great for veggies. -- Flick

Also worth mentioning their breakfasts are pretty good if you're up early. (The whole area comes alive very early in the morning because of the market.) -- Chris