I used to go to Smith & Wolensky’s YEARS ago to meet up with journalist friends in New York. I’ve also been there on occasion to have dinner. (note: very old school boy network and old establishment, not necessarily a bad thing.
It is what it is.
Tablecloths, waiters with an attitude (service is incredible btw) and an old New York feel. I love that at times. I also love an old pub with attitude and the ‘other’ part of Smith & Wolensky’s, the pub side, offers precisely that.
Old journalists, old money, old stockbroker types (note very few women but there are a few), old old New York. I ended up staying near the East Side location recently on business, so upon landing, met an industry friend for drinks around 11 pm, not atypical for New York. I opted for the pub, since a very rich, very drunk man in a very rich suit was about to be thrown out of one of their other bars. That said, this is a rarity and they handled it well.
I ordered a $19 glass of wine but it’s not as if the other options were that much less, its just that the $19 option happened to be an amazing Napa Silverado cabernet so worth every penny of it. I ordered a split pea soup and bread (out of it because it was 11 pm and its made fresh every day). And, it’s New York. $19 isn’t insane in the city.
It is what it is.
Below is an idea of their menu so you can get an idea of the oysters meets soup meets sandwiches meets dinner.
Now, for a conversation we had “late night” with Patrick, a bartender of the establishment for over 30 years. My friend Alan Weinkrantz asked him what his Twitter and Facebook handle was. He didn’t have one. His response? Very amusing and very real. (taken by Alan). Please bear in mind the late night aspect of the “shoot.”
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
