Smith Commons Artfully Elevates The Taste of Washington's Diverse Food Scene
Grilled Gochujang Chicken garnished with chopped kimchi and julienned Granny Smith apples.
Smith Commons’ main entrance is just the first thing you notice that makes it stand out amidst the other H Street restaurants.
The Atlas Arts District is home to one of Washington D.C.’s best dining experiences--Smith Commons. Opening its doors in December 2010, this restaurant with a public house feel has become the mainstay in this neighborhood of renovated Queen Anne homes and new condominiums lining the H Street Corridor. Smith Commons’ menu is a Contemporary American take on the classics prepared by Executive Chef Kamal Chanaka. The Sri Lankan-born visionary with over 18 years of experience in the kitchen displays the skills he learned cooking alongside his mother as a child at home--then professionally at sixteen in his uncle’s restaurant--by the order. One person who has seen this mastery up close since Chef Chanaka’s arrival to the restaurant is Smith Commons’ Operating Partner for eight years, Ron McNeill. His description of the Chef’s method of preparing one of the house’s signature items is a reflection of how his work is a stylish departure from the ordinary.
Shrimp & Grits with avocado, sun-dried tomatoes and shaved pomegranate.
“To complete the Smith Burger, for example...,” McNeill starts about the grass-fed, half-pound-cut-of-beef. “...our Chef will prepare it on a jalapeno-infused cheese bun with chipotle mayonnaise, caramelized onions and bacon--not just your usual lettuce, tomato and pickle. And then he goes regional with the French fries. He seasons them with Old Bay and sea salt. Small details like this go a long way. We’re vegan and vegetarian-friendly, too. With Washington, D.C. becoming a big ‘food city’ now, you have to keep up with the trends and our menu caters to that.”
This international reimagining of the American staples many hold near and dear was one of the reasons Smith Commons benefitted from an influx of first-time guests during DMV Black Restaurant Week 2019. The restaurant participated for the second time in the annual campaign that promotes business in our community throughout the region. Many first-time guests were introduced to a specialty menu that featured an all-star lineup from Smith Commons’ everyday list of heavy hitters. This was a great opportunity to let people know that this was offered year-round. McNeill, as he admits, was ‘shocked’ at the turnout.
“Last year, I was totally caught off guard at the response and variety of people the campaign helped to attract. People of all walks of life came,” he says. “This year was more of the same and reservations were still coming in by the weekend. Some of these people live in Washington and have never been here before—and that was good to see.”
Choices on the dinner menu were one of the many reasons why guests made Smith Commons their place to dine during Black Restaurant Week DC. Take the Moulard Duck Breast. This tender serving is braised and topped with crispy bacon, sauteed Brussel sprouts and rutabaga puree is where the Chef shows and proves. The additions of the arancini di riso, a Sicilian rice ball filled with vegetables, and ponzu jus, a brown citrus-based Japanese sauce, to garnish that bridges the distance between contrasting hemispheres of taste. The Spice-Rubbed Lamb Chops speaks to the restaurant’s originality in flavor. This dish of three perfectly-sliced bone cuts house a fresh medley of fingerling potatoes, asparagus and bok choy covered in a tangy mojito sauce. Fare uncommon to the other H street restaurants and those throughout the city.
The chill ambiance of Smith Commons redefines what’s expected of a neighborhood bistro. All three levels invite guests to a unique twist on the same modernly sleek decor that welcomes the day and accents the night. Each acting as perfect settings for social gatherings and private events. Balconies on the second and third floors keep the vibe set by a diverse music playlist going as guests step outside. With its close proximity to the Atlas Theater, Smith Commons’ three floors of bars serve as an impromptu nexus for cast parties after the curtain calls and for patrons enjoying nightcaps after performances. This nightly banter of creatives and patrons gives the guests of Smith Commons a piece of Midtown Manhattan as they sit only a few streetcar stops away from Union Station. Another dimension to what also makes this restaurant one of the best bars in Washington DC.
“That’s what we strive for,” McNeill insists regarding the aesthetics of Smith Commons. “Whether it's the food, the music or our space--we’re welcoming to everyone and we try to create an atmosphere where everyone can feel comfortable.”
(Update: Milk & Honey has added Smith Commons to partner with its restaurant in Atlanta. The menu has changed from the dishes and drinks you read above, but the food is still amazing. Due to COVID-19 safety protocols, all dining is currently being done via take-out or delivery.)