Citizen Smith Hollywood Suite 1007

The decor is so cool..candles everywhere. Chic casual..not snooty. Music and crowd was fun. I ordered the better burger and it was amazing! Great little find in Hollywood.....love it!

Pros: Amazing Burger

Posted 06/22/09

Just took some friends from out of town and I was not happy with the food experience this time.
Won't be back.

:(

Pros: Ambiance is intimate

Cons: Food is not as good as before

Posted 05/15/09

My mother and i went during the day to have a quick bite to eat. the service was excellent, and the food was even better. I had the BBQ chicken sandwhich and my mom had the pan seared salmon. To make the experience even more enjoyable, our waitress was very accomodating.

Posted 01/27/09

This place is really cool. Good menu, rocking desserts and good vibe. Good value and they have special Monday and Tuesday night bargains - i think they have a special 50% off wines or something. DEF reccommend this place.

Posted 11/07/08

Well. Citizen Smith is very chilled, quite understated but is a great place for a date. Pre going out cocktails at the bar works too. In the evening it is candle lit and has a lovely vibe. I heard about it when i flew Virgin Atlantic. It is listed in their Top 20 places to go to eat in LA .... and i agree! Remember to book incase you have to queue ....

Pros: Decor. Desserts. Drinks

Cons: Um.... Can't think of any!!

Posted 11/07/08

A really beautiful location in what was once the rundown part of town. I had the ahi tuna salad and thought it was as good as any I had ever had, really fresh fish and not too drowned in dressing, altogether a great healthy lunch. The restaurant itself is far more glamorous than the run down buildings surrounding it would imply and being there made me think I was somewhere much more exotic than Hollywood. Reasonably priced for such good food in such an attractive setting.

Posted 07/25/08

I would like to give this place 4 1/2 stars as I like it a lot. A lot of things are great about it and rather than go on about those things I'll touch on what I'm not thrilled about. I felt the lighting was a little dim and the music a bit low. The menu seems to lack a real identity which I kind of like because it gives you a variety but there is definitely no central local or theme to it. The service is good. All in all a really good, casual eating experience that I would highly recommend.

Posted 07/24/08

This place is gorgeous. Desserts are stunning. Vibe is good with good music. I always have a great evening there and they do these deals on mondays and i think tuesdays where you gt 50% of the food or wine depending on the day.

Pros: good food and good fun

Cons: hard to get a patio table

Posted 07/24/08

I was here recently for a party, and the layout of the place was awesome. There's a full back patio that opens up and you can fit quite a few people back there. Anyway, the food was really what made it worth it. It's a little expensive so I wasn't able to try all the wines they offer, and I didn't get the filet (i'm big fan of filet) but I did get the mac and cheese (As was suggested on here) and salmon. The salmon came on a plate with mashed potatoes, presented pretty nicely. I had that a blackberry mojito. If you haven't had one of those, get one. It's a flavor explosion in your mouth. Other people I was with got chicken fingers and sliders (these aren't the typical White Castle sliders) which I didn't get a chance to taste, but they seemed to enjoy it. The only other dish I had a bite of was the Summer Salad. Strawberries, Goat Cheese, Spinach and Almonds. It has kind of a sweet taste to it, and I'm not a big salad person either.

I don't know what else to say that hasn't been said about the atmosphere. It's unique and one of a kind even in Los Angeles. I'm really surprised more people don't talk about this place.

The worst part of the experience, other than the bill, (so I sound cheap? Cause I am) was that it was a little TOO dark. I had to use the candle to read my menu. I don't know if it was where I was sitting or if it's like that through out the place every night. Lots of candles in here.

All in all, if you want to go out for a nice meal, this is as good a place as any for an upscale dining experience. I will come back.

Pros: Just a fun dining experience

Posted 07/24/08

Finally went back after six months... It's the kind of place you forget how much you like it until you go back. I would have given it a five but the apps were fast and the food was a bit slow. No biggie, 20 minutes or so - the server (hot little brunette) told me their was a new chef in training, so whatever. I LOVE the citris shrimp! Maybe a bit slow but I thought the food was actually better than the last 2 times I went.

Pros: ambiance

Cons: trafficon fri or sat

Posted 07/24/08

I love this place. The food the ambiance the staff. Everything about my experience here was amazing. I was skeptical to come as I don't travel to Hollywood a lot but once i walked into this place I felt like I was in a whole different city. The cow hides on the walls, the big gaudy chandeliers and the rustic metals surrounded by brick walls. This whole place looked like something from the midwest meets NY.

The food was great as well and I highly recommend the jalepeno mac and cheese along with the tower of onion rings to start. Then move to the steak or salmon for the main course depending on how your feeling. The food came on time and there was a friendly staff to help. and the selection of wine was just what i needed to satisfy my date and I. And to top the night off don't forget the brownie desert. YUMMY!!!

Do come and check out this place and I promise you wont be disappointed.

Pros: food

Cons: price

Posted 07/24/08

I came here with a friend a couple weeks ago. Granted, it was a friday night, and was starting to get busy, however, the server took a long time in greeting us. When we got our drinks, there was a mysterious object floating in it, the server was MIA, so we had to go up to the bar and ask for another one. we ordered an appetizer and our main dishes, the appetizer came out, but the dinner never showed. we asked the server what was going on, and he said that it would be out in 10 min. 15 min later, we asked what was happening, and he stated that the orders got "lost" and he was sorry, but the kitchen was working on it. we decided to leave b/c we weren't hungry anymore. the manager came, said he was sorry and just left, without offering any other consolation. i will not set foot in that place ever again. i will say that it is a great "date" atmosphere.

Pros: good atmosphere

Cons: bad customer service

Posted 07/19/08

The food is good...EXCEPT this gross gritz/rice pudding/baby food this that comes on the salmon plate. It's grossssssss. But other then the gross gritz/rice pudding/baby food, everything else is good to eat. I would have to say that the food is just ok, but it's a great date spot. The music made me and my friend very sleepy~ soothing,..I guess good music for those on a date...i dunno but the music was like...101 lullaby's or something.

Posted 05/09/08

I have visited this place a few times in the past and sat at the bar with girlfriends. We usually ordered apps, but I had never eaten dinner here until recently. I made a reservation (since the reviews said I ought to) and when I got there we were told our table would be ready in ten more minutes. We were fine with the wait but even so the manager, bought us a drink as apology, which was appreciated. Our server's name was Melaina and although she appeared to be busy she made it to our table just enough and not too much, if that makes sense...the group of girls I was with are EXTREMELY picky, but Melaina seemed non-plussed by the demands. I ordered the BBQ shrimp, since it is my favorite app. It was great, as usual, but I must add that the name does not warn you how spicy it is. For dinner I ordered filet mignon and substituted the smashed peas with esparagus. I am a steak girl, to be honest, so I tend to order the same thing where ever I go. You would be amazed how easy it is to screw up steak. I was pleasantly surprised because I had read reviews that the steak was average at best, it was perfectly cooked. Medium rare to perfection! I only asked my friends to my right and left ,because I really was with a big group of girls, how their food was. My friend to my right loved her chicken and waffles, which I thought was a funny combination. My friend to my left ordered the summer salad (it might be called spring..can't remember) and she loved this salad a great deal. For desert we ordered one of everything, since it was someone's birthday. I only tried the chocolate cake and the sorbet. The sorbet was sorbet...can't really screw with that. The cake was really good and I am not a chocolate fan. It was not heavy at all... I was told it is flourless. Overall, I would definitely recommend this restaurant for dinner or for a fun place to hang out with friends for drinks! Last but not least, the decor is really lavish!!! Exposed brick, mirrors, candles..gorgeous!!!

Pros: Beautful place, great food, good service

Cons: does get a bit too loud after dinner...

Posted 04/10/08

so i picked this restaurant for a business diner... we had to wait 15 - 20 minutes to get a waiter.
My business partner orders fish... and he gets a filet mignon (i have to say they offered desert on the house for the wait).

if this is what you get on week day, i cannot imagine what it's like Friday/Saturday.

BTW the food was good. The service could be better

Posted 04/02/08

This place is SO cool!! I loved the music and the vibe, but I was even more impressed when the food came... We ordered a table full of appetizers and everything was so good!! We got the Nachos, which is more like a big flat mexican crispy pizza, Onion Ring Tower, Chicken Strips, Sliders Hamburgers, and last but certainly not least, the tastiest Macaroni and Cheese I have ever had... I will definitely be back!!

Pros: GREAT FOOD

Cons: NONE

Posted 02/21/08

The BEST food, atmosphere, music and ambience EVER!!! Very friendly staff, melt in your mouth filet, awesome Citrus Shrimop, and the best Mac'n'cheeze I have ever eaten (I add bacon, it is to DIE for!!)!! Great DJ's, playing rock'n'roll music, but quiet enough that you can actually have a conversation... I have celebrated my birthday at Citizen Smith for the last 2 years... My absolute favorite restaurant!! Great bar and hang out spot as well... 10 stars

Pros: Food, Service, Decor, Ambience, Music, Great bartenders and drinks!!!

Cons: That my waistline cant afford to eat the mac'n'cheese everyday!!

Posted 02/19/08

Citizen Smith is a rather trendy restaurant with a classy, gothic vibe. The interior is filled with dark woods, wrought iron details, leather booths accented with pony-hair wall coverings, chandeliers, mirrors- it's quite a visual extravaganza, yet somehow seems to work all together. The two main focal points appear to be the impressive and well-stocked bar and the glass back wall which opens into a lovely patio. I had been here when it first opened, and liked the general vibe but was a bit turned off by the crazy trendy crowds and the "too cool for school" attitude conveyed by the servers. They specialized in comfort food, and that hasn't changed. It's been a few years and I decided to give it another try for lunch. We were immediately greeted when we entered - it had just opened for lunch so there were no other patrons. They seem to be reorganizing their menu/wine list/staff so there were some hiccups in service (but no attitude). The sommelier was lovely and I settled on his recommendation (Conumdrum), a pleasant white table wine with a lovely floral bouquet. Our group had the following: house salad - simple, fresh, mesculun greens with plump sweet tomatoes and balsamic vinaigrette; fried chicken skewers - 4 large chicken tenders - very juicy, but a bit large - good for sharing; jalapeno mac & cheese - good; nice baked bread crumb topping. perhaps i like things too spicy, but i wished it were a little spicier; chinese chicken salad - my friend liked it; chopped cobb salad - again my friend liked it, but i wasn't that tempted. Overall we enjoyed it and would definitely come back to try for dinner. They have very interesting cocktails on the menu so i'm sure it'll be a fun experiment. Service does need to get more polished (not sure why, but our server seemed really nervous ... maybe he was new on the job...)

Pros: Great Interior; Good wine recommendations

Cons: Nervous, choppy service

Posted 02/04/08

I agree with the reviewer below, the place gets a tottally undeserved bad rap. WTF? It is without a doubt, the most gorgeous space PERIOD in the entire hollywood area, the staff is sultry and polite, the food is great and they throw a great party. Thank god the management understands how to create a good vibe, because it would be easy to ruin it with top 40 nonsense. there is no where else i know of in LA that is like it. You can chill in a uber romantic atmosphere, listen to timeless music, eat and drink yourself silly, and all without the pretense of the other unjustifiably snooty, characterless shitholes in the area. They have gone through some ups and downs since opening i hear, but the basic package is unbeatable and seems to be getting better every time i go there.

Posted 02/03/08

I don't know why this place gets bad reviews! I haven't tried the whole menu but their burgers and steak are alone worth the visit! Then there's the music. It's always perfect! Chill on Sunday nights, rocking on Thurs-Sat night -- perfect.

This is my favorite spot in Hollywood for a Burger and great ambiance. I also love chilling there Sunday nights when there's few people, the music is mellow and the atmosphere is very cozy. The staff is generally pretty good. I've taken all my friends there, even celebrated my birthday there and have never heard a complaint from anyone I've gone with.

Get a reservation, a group and cozy up in one of their great booths. It's probably not the place for a nice quiet romantic evening but for rocking it with your significant other or friends, I think it can't be beat in Hollywood.

Pros: Great music and ambiance. Their burgers are excellent.

Cons: It does get a little loud so it's not the place to whisper sweet nothings to your significant other

Posted 02/03/08

I was at Citizen for a closed event and liked the space and the tray service so I opted to take some friends there for dinner and drinks. Although the music was a bit loud at times, I found the dim lighting to be mood setting and the food was as good as I remember. I had a great female server that was really sweet and attentive and had no problems with the bar. Really, aside from the fact that the booth we sat in was hard to get in and out of, we had a great time and although I have read mixed reviews on the place I have to say that I really enjoyed myself and would highly recommend this restaurant to my friends. I would, however, deter older guests from going too late unless you request being seated on the patio, which was well heated and charming. One of my friends is a smoker and we loved all the candles and the fact that we were in a tent. VERY ROMANTIC and the music is not really heard as much here. Also, really recommend the shrimp. It was glazed in a sweet sauce and I think it was an appetizer, but I ordered as a meal with a salad! Really great! Will visit again soon!

Pros: Ambience, food, music

Cons: the music was a bit loud, booths a little hard to get in and out of

Posted 01/08/08

Ever since this place opened, I've been reading glowing reviews about it. I finally decided to try it out this past weekend and it was DISAPPOINTING. We were seated in a corner by the kitchen when there was room all around the main dining area, our server took a good 20 minutes before coming to greet us, the ENTIRE staff (I'm talking hostess, servers, DJ, bartender, and MANAGERS) were gathered near our table talking about some personal drama. I ordered the Mahi Mahi (and was not asked how I would like it cooked), needless to say, it came out dry and the spinach and fingerling potatoes came out on the bitter side. I should also mention that their steak was not anything to cheer about either. I can't say too much about the decor as the restaurant was so dark, it was hard enough to see the food in front of me! We really couldn't get out of the place fast enough. Again... totally disappointed...

Pros: None

Cons: Service

Posted 12/15/07

Been here a few times and it's usually pretty busy. Yes, the mac-and-cheese is good (you can get it w/ or w/o jalapeno) and the entrees are what i call upscale comfort classics. The loungey music is courtesy of the iBook DJ near the bar and you can usually spot a few cougars in the crowd. The lighting is VERY dim, but you can tell the decor is really cool -- vaulted ceilings, cool wall treatments and lots of mirrors and chandeliers. Worth checking out at least once.

Pros: most of the food

Cons: crowded, need a rez usually

Posted 11/28/07

We went last Sat. night before going to the theater, we had 6:00 pm reservations. We arrived at 6:05 and the hostess was chatting with a lady, and after a few minutes, sat her at a table. She then disapeared for a full 5 minutes leaving me standing there. The place was virtually empty with only one booth and several bar seats occupied.

She proceeded to seat us at a banquette which was litterally 2" away from the next table! We asked if we could sit in a booth, but she said they were all reserved!!! It was very windy so the patio was out, so she asked if we wanted to sit in the lounge, and we said okay. It was a 2 top by the door to the patio, and several people were having a good old time at the bar and the football game on the TV. Even with this noise and wind coming in from outside, we decided to stick it out.

Well, after about 8 more minutes, now almost 6:20pm, the waitress kinda ran by and said she' be with us in a minute. NOT!!! After a few more minutes a guy came by and asked if everything was allright, we said no, no service! He said he'd take care of it, and left. At that time the rock music came on, nice and loud on top of all the other noise!! Well a few minutes passed and still no server.

That was it, we left at 6 :30 tired of sitting in the wind, with all the noise, and no service. We'll never go back!

Posted 10/29/07

My husband and I recently celebrated our anniversary and we chose to start the evening with dinner at Citizen Smith based on a review a friend had given us. We did not make a reservation and were able to walk right in, which was nice. Also, when asked if we had been there before we told the hostess we had not and that we were there for our anniversary. Perhaps, because we told her why we were there or perhaps because we just had good timing, we were given a booth in a quiet corner. The ambience was very romantic with lots of candles and dark furniture. Actually, when my husband and I walked in we were incredibly impressed by the decor! It really is very beautiful.
Our watiress was kind and attentive but not too much and the food was fantastic! I personally ordered the fish and my husband the steak and both were incredible! We had desert and the chef brought it out to us to congratulate us! Really surprising and pleasant! We ended up staying and ordering a bottle of wine and there was a large range of selection! If you are on a budget you don't need to worry, they really do cater to everyone! We really did have a fantastic time and have encouraged friends to visit! My birthday is coming up and I am planning my birthday party at Citizen! I look forward to visiting again!

Pros: ambience is fantastic and the food is delicious!

Cons: the valet took a little too long, but there is a parking lot across the street that is less expensive and very close.

Posted 10/17/07

Went to Citizen Smith for dinner with my girls last Saturday night. First of all, the inside of the restaurant was sultry! I would use another 's' word, but this site won't let me! The food was perfect and the waiter was HOT! Which is always a plus! We had such a brilliant time that we ended up heading to the bar after dinner to hang out. A DJ, don't know his name, was rocking out and the bartender, also very hot, recommended a martini I had never had called a lychee martini, I think that's how its spelled, it was perfect! Everyone there, patron wise, was cool. Did not feel pretentious at all. Ended up staying almost the whole night singing and laughing. The door guy....I think his name was Austin, was so nice. He remembered our names and invited us back! Very rad. I highly recommend this place for dinner and for atmosphere. The place is a little dark, using primarily candle light for lighting, but it only added to the mood and atmosphere and the music was rockin'! Had a great time and will definitely frequent Citizen!

Pros: Ambience, great food, great cocktails!

Cons: valet is expensive and a little slow.

Posted 09/20/07

We went to Citizen Smith for a friend's birthday. We were seated on the outside patio, but in the corner next to either the dumpster or storage section. It smelled very bad - like bleach, but the staff brought out some incense to cover the smell.
Food: I got the panko crusted tuna w/ mashed potatoes. I liked it a lot as the sauce was very tasty. I also tasted the ham pizza (pretty good, thin crust). The cobb salad w/ steak had specks of steak on the top. The major drawback was that the patio was SO dark, that I couldn't see anything. My friend took out her cell phone so she could read the menu. They had 3 candle things illuminating the whole area. The other problem was that the music was so loud. We were basically yelling at each other across the table which just got very tiresome.
Service: no complaints

Posted 09/15/07

After several failed attempts to B&T it, and my open table account under probation.... for cancellations.. this is how it went... I changed my reservation twice during prime time on a saturday night, they were very accomodating and did so with out hoop lah, the door man was charming and funny, the hostess was quick on her feet and with her smile we were seating right away and our server was there when we needed him.... changed my drink because a rob roy in their system is really a roy rogers..., the rice and peas (risotto), and jalepeno mac and cheese, both were delicious as was my friend's mahi mahi, a rec from the server.... the drink was pretty stiff...., great decor, industrial/vintage feel high ceilings... cow hide wall paper once you see it you'll understand..... not crowded at all... two entrees two appettizers, two drinks, all under a 100 bucks on cahuenga in LA/Hollywood..... not too shabby....Like it, I may see it once a month.... Gotta to go at least once....

Posted 08/11/07

I made a reservation for a Saturday night for my 6 girlfriends and I and the minute we walked into the restaurant we were impressed with the decor. Very lush. We were seated in a booth that put us right in the mix of the restaurant, yet we could still hear eachother and did not feel drowned out by the crowd or music. I hear the restaurant is under new ownership and it shows. Very attentive service, great food and the GM came by our table several times to tell us about the new menu and drinks! We ended up spending two hours just eating our way through the menu. After dinner the place had picked up so much that we paid our tab and went over to the bar instead of going elsewhere as we had planned! Overall, highly recommend for anyone who is looking for a fun night out.

Pros: Ambience, food and music.

Cons: Valet parking almost a must

Posted 08/01/07

For my boyfriend's birthday we decided to dine @ Citizen Smith. Our group consisted of 8 of us. The server was kind and attentive. Patient to explain our queries about the menu ( as a server should but he was just nice) One of our friends brought 2 bottles of a Syrah blend and a fabulous Pinot Noir. Normally the corkage fee is $25....the sweetie pie server waived the fee because we explained we were all servers now or at another time and would hook him up. He DID and WE did. I believe everyone enjoyed their meals.... cocktails were good, appetizers as well. Mac and cheese was definitely cheesy (in a good way) We sat outside and they had heat lamps made available as it was a chilly night in april. Overall great experience and I would suggest for a date night if not a large group which they accommodated for us. Make a reservation though.

Posted 07/20/07

The first time my girlfriend and I went the service was nice and we thought it was fine so we figued we would return with some friends. Things were different and strange. We are not quibblers about price but the wine list was minimal and expensive. The food was also minimal and expensive. Bread usually a free treat was not and we later found out the bottled water was ten bucks a pop...needless to say I got even by keeping the bottle. The waitess was nice and was trying-she worked to get the broken speakers to not sound like the boom box junk they were-funny how in a town that is about sight and sound music is usually just LOUD.

The funny thing was the manager made it point to come out and meet us and ask how things were, we did not note him do this with anyone else but he was nice and he even addressed the B rating on the door. While every review here is bad it just seemed weird that they SEEMED to be trying but maybe didn't have a clue or maybe they don't want to be seen as a eatery rather just a hot bar, really I don't know.

Seems to me if the food aspect is not what they want they are risking alot by allowing themselves to be seen as such a icky place to go-word of mouth is everything and hey just read the reviews here.

Bottomline would I advise anyone to go there? Sadly no If the manager would have given me his card when he spoke with us I would have contacted and addressed all this to him...perhaps he should do some damage control and say something here

Pros: Nice place with promise

Cons: Nice place but no direction, pricey.

Posted 07/11/07

I work in the neighborhood and had never even realized Citizen Smith was practically next door--it's all curtained, no signs (guess that's Hollywood for ya), never saw anyone go in or out during the day. Anyway, my friend from work suggested we try it out one evening and--to my surprise--not what I expected at all! I'd heard of a crazy club vibe, hollywood types sliming up every corner (and, to be fair, there was one table that looked a little "Entourage-y"), rude service staff, etc. What I found, in fact, was a *Restaurant*. Neat! We got real entrees (my blackened catfish special was divine), a nice Malbec for the table, and a bright unpretentious server who managed to make it happen without passing out headshots (I know...weird). There were some model-esque bartenders doing their thing, of course. Can't believe a place like this is tucked away right under my nose. All in all I had a pretty good time. My only wish is that the DJ would calm down a little--he was all over the place.

Pros: comfortable, good service, food

Cons: dj random, parking

Posted 05/24/07

I use to go to Citizen Smith when it was popular and liked that it was buzzy and found fun in the mac and cheese. Seemed to be a thing at the time--all this fun comfort food.

Well Citizen Smith has changed. I went there with my boyfriend on Thursday night. You would expect it to be busy but it was really dead. I can't belive we actually called to tell them we were running late. My boyfriend ordered the cobb salad with steak which he always enjoyed. Well now the steak was like little minced bits on top of a salad. I would practically call it unacceptable.

We told the waiter that the cobb salad with steak looked different and he asked how long it had been since we dined there. Apparently they have switched chefs.

I had the hamburger and it was really big and pretty good. For a $16 hamburger--they do it justice

I forgot how pricey the menu is--the mains being $22-$48.

My boyfriend was really bummed about his $18 salad totally being bad but really it was the "new atmosphere that really was the stinker

There are lots of places in this price range and it can be really pricey if you order the main entrees. So I think with all the choices of places to eat--the foods not that good to come back to and the place has lost it pizazz

Only good thing is they mysteriously lowered the valet price to $10. I remember it use to be $13

Citizen Smith is out. There are better places to move on to for the price

Posted 05/10/07

Born and raised in the Midwest I know a great steak when I taste one, and the filet mignon I had at Citizen Smith was thick, juicy, flavorful, and without doubt, a supurb cut of prime (properly aged) beef. Prepared exactly the way I ordered, along with the chef's marvelous wine reduction, it was a dinner I talked about for weeks. Our server helped me pair it with a wonderful cabernet and I was set. Our rather large party was seated outdoors in a booth configuration that allowed conversation to flow easily throughout the evening. Service was attentive throughout our stay; appetizers, cocktails and the main courses arrived with little wait as the restaurant was filled to capacity that evening. If visiting the LA area again, I'd definitely stop in again.

Pros: Tender, aged, prime beef

Cons: Perhaps a little too dark

Posted 04/16/07

For such a controversial place I absolutely adored this restaurant!!!!! What a beautiful interior, attractive , friendly and courteous staff, and the food was incredible. No flavor?? You guys must be joking. My husband and I brought 2 very close friends from back east, we all loved the BBQ shrimp , the cedar plank salmon was cooked to perfectionj. My husband had the filet and remarked it was one of the best he'd had in LA. There was a pork chop special stuffed with smoked cheese and herbs that my best friend insisted we all try......fabulous. I'm so glad that we didn't pay any attention to some of these reviews (they seem almost vindictive) Do yourselves a favor and go to Citizen Smith you'll be glad you did.

Pros: FOOD SERVICE AMBIENCE

Cons: A LITTLE LOUD

Posted 04/15/07

My friends were visiting here from Chicago and I'm from Arizona. We went to LA for a few days and wanted to eat at a great place. Citizen Smith was recommended to us. What a great place!!! The food was excellent and the atmosphere was so beautiful. I had the filet mignon and it was so good...it melted in my mouth. My friends all loved their meals. I can't wait to go back.
I highly recommend this wonderful restaurant. Even if it's for appetizers and drinks...you will enjoy every thing about Citizen Smith. The service was very friendly and helpful.

Posted 04/15/07

My finace and I ate at Citizen Smith for the first time Sat night and had the MOST TASTY dinner that I can remember in years!!! I had the lobster linguine; smothered in a flavorful fresh buttery sauce. It was heaven in my mouth. I was sad I couldn't finish the whole thing and lobster doesn't go home in a doggy bag well. So my boyfriend finished it for me, after licking his plate from his steak he had. Both of us were so funny, practically making love to our food at the table. People must have thought we were nuts but I don't think anyone noticed, it was so dark in there. Which made it that much cooler! A candlelit dinner was just what the doctor ordered. Citizen Smith was recommended by a friend and we are so glad we've found this gem. I highly recommend it to everyone!

Posted 04/15/07

I love the interior and think this is a great place to have drinks, but not so much to eat. I have eaten here a bunch because it is close to where I live. I have to say the only good things I have had were the sliders and the jalapeno mac n' cheese. All of the entrees were flavorless. I think I have had a better steak at Outback Steakhouse. It is suprising, actually. Please add some more variety to your menu and make the entrees you do have more flavorful! I really like going here and want to come back!!!

Pros: Atmosphere

Cons: Food and Service

Posted 04/15/07

I should have read the reviews first. What a joke. The interior is super cool but the food was the worst. Flavorless ahi that was cold ( not sushi) potatoes that were watery and service that was slow and poor she barley came over to check on us. We should have walked out right when we came in and had to beg to be moved from being seated right next to the door and when we asked for a booth, the response was "they are for larger parties than four". While we were there two booths were empty, one had two people in it and the other had four. It was no surprise that when we left, the place was half empty on a Saturday night. If you want to cruise the Cahuenga scene - go for Popeye's first and then slink into the Burgundy Room, You won't be sorry - save the 350.00 for a spa treatment the next day.

Pros: valet parking - cool interior

Cons: bad food - bad service - weak wine list

Posted 04/14/07

Out of the many places in the Hollywood/Los Angeles area to go out for dinner and cocktails, Citizen Smith has become my top restaurant of choice. This is my first review on citysearch. I starting using this service a while ago and am just now getting around to sharing my experiences of my favorite places in LA and wanted to start with Citizen Smith because it's my absolute favorite. I've had my last two birthday parties there and go at least once a month, which is a lot of me. The atmosphere has a romance of class and charm adorned with candles and gothic chandeliers and the staff is friendly and accommodating. Best of all and most important, the food is always excellent. Overall Citizen Smith has set a new standard in dining for me. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys an upbeat night out whether its shared with friends and family, clients, or a destination to wine and dine your significant other. It's layout can set a mood for any variety of motivation I might have for going out. My favorite is a comfy booth on the smoking patio. Thank you Citizen Smith for offering such a happy destination for me.

Pros: Prompt service, Great food, Friendly staff, Cool doorguy

Cons: Valet parking

Posted 04/13/07

I had a reservation for 6 people this week and I decided to cancel based on the latest reviews on citysearch. In this day in age where there is so much competition in eateries you would think that the owners would step it up and make changes , especially if there is poor mangement and staff issues.
I was dining with partners from overseas and I want to make sure that they have an enjoyable experience. Sounds to me like I have made the right decision to cancel.

Thank you for your input we will be dining elsewhere and I will be sure to tell my associates about these comments on this site.

Posted 04/11/07

The staff was not great. The food was average to below average.
I thought that I would try this place out because it looks fun from the outside, honestly that is all it has is decor. The decor is brilliant but the food, staff and management is HORRIBLE!!!

I have to agree with the other reviewer about the management, specifically Mitch.
If you are in the service/ hospitality industry the first and foremost responsibilty is
the client and customers needs. Mitch seemed to be friendly at first but he was very rude to
his staff and it made my friends and I uncomfortable. He never greeted our table once, so for a GM , I would give him a ZERO on personalty and appearance.

I will never go back. I would much rather go to Mc Donalds then ever go back to citizen smith ever again.

Pros: Decor

Cons: Management, Staff & Food

Posted 04/08/07

I made a reservation 2 weeks in advance and specifically requested a booth inside. When we got there (admittedly a little late) they took us to the outdoor patio and tried to seat is in the far corner basically next to the street. It was a cold night, and hardly any heat lamps...not to mention the patio is not attractive in any way. It's a gated in area in between two buildings and has no ambiance whatsoever. Just a space to squeeze in more business.

We spoke to the manager, MITCH, and he would not accommodate us in any way. He even went as far as to say we are even lucky to get a table since we were late. There were 2 empty booths inside and he refused to seat us there b/c they were expecting other guests.

He gave us a different table, but still out on the cold patio. There was 1 heat lamp for a table of 7 girls, and the lamp kept turning off every couple of minutes which made for a very unpleasant experience.

The manager MITCH never came out to see if everything was ok. He knew we were all very unhappy with the situation but he could care less. He should not be the general manager of a restaurant with this attitude. He didn't do or say anything to try and make up for our inconvenience. And at 9pm on Saturday night we really had no choice but to stay unless we wanted fast food.

The food was just average, with little for the health conscious. There are plenty of other restaurants with great food so don't waste your time here.

Pros: none

Cons: awful service by GM, patio seating poor, not enough heat lamps, no ambience

Posted 04/08/07

Even though my reservation was confirmed for a booth over the phone earlier, once we arrived and were seated and settled in, the hostess came and said we had been seated in the wrong spot. We told her we were quite settled in already, but felt obligated to move when she said the seat was meant for someone with a diability. Of course we wouldn't argue with this, we were moved into the noisy lounge area seating next to a giant, loud, wooden sliding door. Now, with horrible new seating arrangements we spent the next 15 minutes without a server. When I went out to meet a friend, I saw two girls just casually drinking drinks in our former booth. On our way out there was a party where no one in a wheelchair, like stated to us. Clearly they wanted to move us to accomadate someone else. Poor service and inconsiderate hosts ensure that no one in my party or business will be visiting again.

Posted 03/25/07

I have been reading all the crazy reviews on this place since they opened and finally decided to check it out for myself. To my surprise, everything was almost perfect. From the ambience to the food, this is one restaurant that will not disapoint even the most picky restaurant-goer.

I went there on a blind date last Thrusday night. When we got there, we were promptly seated (I had a reservation- highly recommended because this place gets packed). We sat in a gorgeous booth with beautiful cow-hide trim and cool lighting. It took a few minutes for our waitress to greet us but once she did it was on! The entire staff there is quite pleasant and easy on the eyes (as all Hollywood places are). We ordered 2 mixed green salads and the Citrus Glazed Shrimp as appetizers. Both came out within 15 minutes and were very tasty. For our dinner, we ate the Lemon Pepper Chicken and Salmon. Both were presented well and were flavorful. For desert, we shared the gargantuan Strawberry Shortcake that was unreal.

I am not sure why there are so many bad reviews on this place. Maybe it's jealousy from neighboring restaurants, but come one people this place is one of a kind with killer ambience. I have seen nothing like this in LA since I moved here 7 years ago. The place certainly beats going to one of the more "trendy" eateries aorund this city. Very cool vibe and great food- what more do you want people??

Pros: Decor and Service

Cons: Valets are idiots

Posted 03/24/07

I went to Citizen Smith last night with a group of friends. This was my third time there. I was last there 6 months ago and was not that impressed. The service and food stunk, however this time was incredible- boy what a difference! We got there around 9:45 and the place was packed. We waited about 15 minutes for table and had a round of martini's at the bar. The bartenders and the hostess were very hospitiable and nice. We were led to our table around 10:00 and on the way we bumped into none other than MB20 singer- Rob Thomas and his wife Marisol- very cool! We were seated on the outdoor patio and the vibe was killer. Our waiter was very nice and on top of his game. He immediately told us the specials and got us a round of drinks.

We ordered a wide variety of appetizers (they seem to have listened to everybody's complaints and doubled their menu size) including the mac n cheese, quesedilia, BBQ shrimp (delicious) and some bacon-wrapped shrimp dish that made our mouths water. For our entree's I ordered the Filet Mignon and my wife ordered their special -scallops- both were presented beautifully and tasted amazing. Two of our friends ordered the Ahi Tuna and one ordered the Salmon. They concur with us that something has happened at good old Smith and the food is absolutely to die for. I am not sure if there is new management or a new chef but the place is unbelievable now. I agree with all the reviews written in the past about the place. It was always noting more than a hyped-up Hollywood hypster hangout with 8,000 candles, but it actually now is a great restaurant with amazing people working there.

I would highly recommend this place to people. Even if you ate there before and did not have a great experience, the place recently did a 180 and everything is top notch. You won't be disapointed-trust me!

Pros: Ambience, food and service

Cons: parking is too expensive, the place can get crowded

Posted 03/24/07