The Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group, Inc, a collection of iconic American steakhouses headquartered in Boston, is celebrating 40 years as America’s classic steakhouse this October. The original Smith & Wollensky location opened in 1977 in New York City, and has since become an institution known for its American hospitality and New-York style swagger. Famously described by the New York Times as “a steakhouse to end all arguments” and widely known as “America’s Steakhouse,” the time-honored steakhouse brand has expanded to nine locations across the top cities in America, including Boston, Chicago, Columbus, Houston, and Miami Beach, as well as their first international location in London.
“We are proud to celebrate 40 incredible years as “America’s Steakhouse,” said Michael Feighery, CEO and president of Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group. “From the beginning, Smith & Wollensky has exemplified an unwavering commitment to quality, integrity and hospitality. Our team is dedicated to delivering the best steakhouse experience in the country and abroad—and we are proud of the esteemed relationships we have created over the years to honor our charm, iconic reputation and thriving growth.”
To commemorate four decades, the team at Smith & Wollensky will take guests on a journey with a special “Then & Now” presentation of a dry-aged USDA Prime New York Strip, offered in classic and contemporary preparations throughout October. 40 years ago, the New York Sirloin was the cornerstone of the classic Smith & Wollensky experience, and to rejoice in four decades of serving high quality steaks, the team will bring back a nostalgic version of this cut from the original menu with a twist: 18oz. with a unique 40-day dry-aged preparation, presented larger in size than the traditional. The classic steak will be simply broiled, served with creamed spinach, roasted mushrooms and buttermilk onion rings – three classic sides still adorning the menu today.
Corporate Executive Chef Matt King has also created an elevated “now” take of this popular steak that highlights the evolution of Smith & Wollensky, with a more composed, seasonal presentation of this same 18oz. 40-day dry-aged USDA Prime New York Strip, featuring mountain bleu cheese and foie gras spinach fondue, king trumpet mushrooms tossed in truffle honey, and sweet potato fingerlings. Each steak presentation is offered at $77, in honor of the year 1977 when the first Smith & Wollensky location opened, a fantastic value for any steak enthusiast.
Proud to be the only national steakhouse brand devoted to dry-aging and hand-carving USDA Prime steaks in-house, Smith & Wollensky continues to honor this tried and true tradition that traces back to their first restaurant opening. The steakhouses enhance their beef with in-house dry-aging for 28 days, and are raising the steaks throughout October with this supreme 40-day dry-aged anniversary preparation that will deliver a further enriched, intense beef flavor.
To complement the 40-year festivities, Smith & Wollensky has collaborated with esteemed knife manufacturer, ZWILLING J.A. Henckels, to design custom steak knives that will ensure the best steak eating experience possible. The exclusive steak knives adorning each place setting at Smith & Wollensky will also be available in a branded bamboo gift box for purchase in restaurant and online starting in October, making for the perfect gift-set for any culinary enthusiast: https://www.smithandwollensky.com/our-shop. As the restaurant group celebrates their 40th anniversary, this special commemorative gift set of four knives with 40th anniversary messaging will be available for a special price of $77, for a limited time.
As part of the anniversary celebration, the steakhouses will also feature premium wine and whiskey offerings that are well aligned in their own history, heritage and longtime presence as part of the “America’s Steakhouse” dining experience, including Robert Mondavi Winery and Woodford Reserve. Celebrated as a pioneer in the world of California wine, Robert Mondavi’s signature cabernet wines have been a longtime favorite among Smith & Wollensky guests as a superior steak-pairing wine. The Oakville Cabernet, from Mondavi’s To Kalon Vineyard, will be featured by the glass and bottle at special prices, for a limited time. The steakhouses will also feature Smith & Wollensky 40th Anniversary branded Woodford Reserve Bourbon bottles and specials, including an anniversary Woodford Reserve Rye crafted Manhattan cocktail, barrel-aged in-house for over 30 days.
To learn more about the history of Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group and their 40th anniversary celebrations, a dedicated anniversary website will go live in October: www.smithandwollensky.com/40thAnniversary. Anniversary specials will take place at all Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group locations, excluding New York City. The London location will also celebrate with similar activity, visit http://www.smithandwollensky.co.uk/ for details.
