SMITH & COHEN
SERVING OVERSIZED COMFORT FOOD IN CENTURY CITY

The concept behind Smith & Cohen in Century City is a simple one—serve quality comfort food, combining classic New York deli with all the fun and energy of a modern L.A. bar and grill. The eclectic menu aims to satisfy all taste buds with its offerings of pastrami on double baked rye bread, to burgers, salads, tacos, homemade cheesecake, and breakfast all day.

The setting is energetic inside and with 13 large flat screens throughout, along with an extensive list of tap beers, 55 to be exact, Smith & Cohen is a great spot for any sports lover to catch the big game. Every day there’s a special promotion, including all day happy hour on Saturday, and the popular Sunday Funday special of bottomless mimosas and Bloody Mary's with purchase of any menu item, excluding appetizers.

During our recent visit, we started with the highly-recommended Brisket Rolls—crispy rolls filled with beef brisket, Jack cheese and grilled onions served with fresh greens and Chipotle BBQ ranch. This is a very nice, hearty and solid starter.

A favorite signature dish is the Corned Beef Hash—a favorite of mine. They took the classic corned beef hash dish and deconstructed it by combining steamed potatoes with crispy corned beef and onions, topped with two poached extra-large eggs. It’s a house specialty for good reason. Now this is comfort food done right.

Because breakfast is served all day, the Breakfast Tacos are always a solid menu choice. The combination of eggs scrambled with crispy tortilla chips, onions, Jack and cheddar cheese, topped with pico de gallo, avocado and chipotle crema, served with steamed rice and black beans, this is a tasty non-diet-buster option.

Since a big part of the Smith & Cohen menu concept is the New York deli offerings, consider the Reuben a must-have. Choose from pastrami, corned beef, pulled pork or skirt steak. Ingredients include Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, thousand island dressing on double baked rye and the result is a very pleasing sandwich.

The cocktails are hardly newsworthy but the Old Fashioned is good, not great. The Cucumber Mint Margarita is refreshing and the Tito Mojito is actually very good (and I don’t like mint). Stick to simple cocktails or opt for beer or wine.

The burgers are filling and first rate, especially the Bacon Blue with house-cured Applewood smoked bacon, caramelized onions, gorgonzola cheese and house aioli. The burgers are a blend of chuck, brisket and short rib and really hit the spot and come with your choice of fries, side salad or cole slaw.

The BBQ is very popular at Smith & Cohen. Options include Baby Back Ribs, Texas brisket or pulled pork. All solid choices but I’d stick to the deli or breakfast items, or the burger. I say stick to what someone really excels at. If you save room for dessert, there’s cheesecake, bread pudding, and my recommendation, the Home-made Cookie A La Mode served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The space at Smith & Cohen has been through many incarnations over the years but it seems to really have hit its stride now. See the list of weekly specials below.

MONDAY
ALL-AMERICAN BREAKFAST
2 EGGS, SAUSAGE OR BACON, & TOAST 5.95 (NO SUBSTITUTIONS)
TUESDAY
TACO OF THE WEEK (WHILE SUPPLIES LAST) 3.00 WELL MARGARITAS 6.00
WEDNESDAY
VINTAGE BURGER & BEER 15.00
(PBR, COORS LIGHT, DOS XX, BLUE MOON, WOODCHUCK PEAR)
THURSDAY
20% OFF ALL WINES BY THE GLASS & BOTTLE
(NOT VALID BETWEEN 3PM - 7PM)
FRIDAY
FRIENDS OF SMITH&COHEN
CHECK OUT OUR FACEBOOK FOR SECRET SPECIALS
SATURDAY
HAPPY HOUR ALL DAY
SUNDAY
BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS AND BLOODY MARY’S 12.00
(WITH PURCHASE OF ANY MENU ITEM – EXCLUDING APPS) 

Smith & Cohen is located at 10351 Santa Monica Blvd in Century City. Call 310-432-4361.

Story and some photography by Jose Martinez

Some Photography courtesy Of: Smith & Cohen