Citizen Smith
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Phone: (323) 461-5001
- Price:
- $$$$
- Cross Street:
- Selma Avenue
- Hours:
- Mon-Sun 11am-2am
Editorial Review for Citizen Smith – by Martha Burr
The Scene
Designed by Thomas Schoos (Koi, Wilshire), this sensuously glam space is one of the shining stars of the once-rundown Cahuenga Corridor. It casts a decadent spell through three stunning areas: A grand front dining room, sultry back lounge, and starry alley patio ideal for smokers. Tall mirrors, votive candles and flickering chandeliers cast eerie shadows over celebs and scenesters chilling at cowhide-clad alcoves, the luxe mahogany bar and packed tables.
The Food
Southern-tinged comfort food is deftly and generously turned out and attractively presented. The half-pound of tender, piquant Cajun barbecued shrimp is a surefire starter. Green peppercorns nicely offset a hunk of flavorful filet mignon, while Southern fried chicken is perfectly moist inside with a light, crispy buttermilk-cayenne batter outside. The true standout, however, is the braised short ribs, fall-apart tender, richly unctuous and bathed in a red wine reduction nestled in creamy polenta.
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Insider Tips
Look GoodMake reservations to avoid a long wait behind the velvet rope. There's often a two-hour time limit on dinner tables.
Save MoneyThe lounge menu offers scaled-down options like sliders, chicken skewers and jalapeno mac and cheese.
What to DrinkThose on a budget need not fear the wine list, with several good choices under $40 and a handful of new and old world labels by the glass. Corkage is $25. If cocktails are your poison, check out the peach Schnapps martini.
User Reviews for Citizen Smith
07/26/2008 Posted by LynneYoung
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.
07/25/2008 Posted by CSquelch
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.
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