Two words: Tanner Smith’s. This is the name of a bar/restaurant, serving an American pub cuisine and located in Midtown Manhattan on 204 W 55th Street. On my first visit in early November, I practically walked by the restaurant, unaware that the eatery, which rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on Yelp, was actually in the basement and accessible from the bustling street above.
The first floor (street level) of Tanner Smith’s is a cocktail and bar setting, yet the basement of the restaurant offers both dining and drinking. In order to enter this pub, I had to first walk down a steep set of cellar steps and enter a dimly-lit corridor of thick, red velvet curtains. Sounds like a murder scene, right? Well, it’s the complete opposite.
Once reaching the main dining and bar area, I was quickly greeted with festive, fall decorations scattered throughout the entrance and a happy hostess eagerly waiting to seat me and my family. From here, we were led through yet another set of red curtains and swiftly seated in a large windowless room with brick and stucco walls and a cement floor covered in area rugs.
One of the first things I noticed about Tanner Smith’s was the “chill” vibe it evoked. There was a classic Indie radio station softly playing in the background, with waiters and waitresses casually dressed and interested in making small talk. The seating arrangements were cool and comfortable, with rustic wooden benches. If the owners were going for a relaxed, laid-back setting, they surely hit the bull’s-eye.
Although the menu was limited, the items offered were beyond ordinary. They ranged from their “House Prepared Beef Jerky” and an “Everything Pretzel” to the “Smoked Pork” small tacos or the “Chicken Pesto” flat breads. Despite the unusual assortment of various tempting meals, my family and I decided to order the “Eggplant Chips” ($11.00) served with clover honey and topped with sea salt and the “Garlic Parsley Fries” ($8.00) paired with several flavorful sauces on the side. Some might be hesitant to taste these appetizers, but my family and I were certainly glad we did because they were more than delectable and relatively inexpensive for a restaurant in Midtown Manhattan. The restaurant not only provided savory food, but also offered unique IPA beers and drinks.
For dinner, I went out on a limb and ordered the “Buffalo Chicken Spring Rolls,” ($14.00) two things I would never have pictured as a good combination. Carefully cut in halves and served with cups of creamy buffalo sauce and blue cheese dressing, these spring rolls certainly hit the spot. I finished them in under 5 minutes. They were that delicious!
What I especially liked about my meal was its size. In total, I was served three spring rolls and the portion size was just right. I was not left hungry or too stuffed. All of my family members were equally pleased with their portions and their entrée choices.
To top off this extraordinary adventure in the cellar of Tanner Smith’s, we all ordered the “Chocolate Mousse Cake” without ever regretting the extra calories. The dessert was as creamy and chocolatey as it should be, sprinkled with powdered sugar and drizzled with sweet strawberry sauce.
Overall, I’m definitely glad my family and I chose to dine at Tanner Smith’s pub. I really enjoyed the odd collection of the delicious dishes offered at the restaurant, especially their perfected portion sizes. It’s refreshing to know that there is an eatery in the Midtown neighborhood that is reasonably priced with a hospitable staff who serve excellent meals. I certainly look forward to dining in this homey pub in the near future and absolutely recommend this restaurant to anyone looking to have a good time with friends while enjoying quality food.
