From Food Truck to Fine Dining: How Smith & Webster Won Us Over

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Smith & Webster located in Coral Springs. {Photos by Han Okcuoglu}

Smith & Webster just became one of our favorite restaurants in Coral Springs. I walked in knowing next to nothing, and came out enamored with their story and food.

Our waitress was very helpful and took the time to fill us in. Starex Smith of Smith & Webster is a food critic with a popular food blog, “The Hungry Black Man”. Kayvon Webster is a former NFL Super Bowl-winning player for the Denver Broncos. Webster launched his own very successful food truck, called “Vibes 305,” years ago (whose name is displayed on a neon fluorescent sign inside). Smith ate at Webster’s food truck and loved it. They teamed up and opened their first location in Miami.

The cuisine is a high-end fusion of African and French influences. The prices are not cheap, so I would categorize this as a nicer steakhouse.

We came on a Friday night, and apparently, they hire a musician every week who walks around with an electric violin, playing soothing remixes of classic R&B songs. I’m not usually a huge fan of music as I try to converse, but that part was such a treat; we loved it.

The menus were digital with a barcode (regular menus were available, but very few were in circulation). Interestingly, before you can view them online, there is an agreement and disclosure you must acknowledge regarding the food being made from scratch and the time it may take. Some people might not like that. I love that. It tells me they value quality above all else, and when you taste the food, you’ll see why.

Before we began eating, we indulged in some incredible drinks, such as the Lemongrass Iced Tea mocktail ($11). It reminded me of Turkish lemonade, but less sweet. Another standout was the alcoholic The Butterfly Effect ($15). McQueen Violet Gin Lime, Juice Butterfly Peaflower Lemon & Ginger Zest with a hint of Lavender. As good as it sounds.

Spinach dip.

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The Spinach Dip ($15) was one of the better ones we’ve ever had. It came with a thick crust of mildly bitter cheese topped with some mild salsa. Be prepared, it’s one of the most spinach-forward dips I’ve ever tried.

Brined Grilled Wings

The Brined Grilled Wings ($19) were texturally amazing. It was both crisp from grilling and plump from brining, so the combination of both processes locked in the juices. It had a light citrus butter on it. The accompanying ranch was beautifully layered and had a subtle lemon yogurt taste.

Lamb chops.

Our waitress said the Lamb Chops ($46) were the most ordered item on the menu. It was definitely good, but it didn’t quite live up to the hype. What is unique is that it’s seasoned and marinated to the bone like the wings, but the excited pop you expect on the first bite just wasn’t there. I asked for medium rare, and it was definitely overcooked. Albeit they had a very interesting chimichurri with garlic and what tasted like pickled pear bits.

Oxtail pasta.

Now the Braised Oxtail Pasta ($55) was something else. It was spicy and peppery in a great way, with a hint of sweetness. An obscene amount of butter gave the pasta a creamy, umami taste. The meat had the same texture as the softer fat; it all fell off the bone and melted in your mouth. 10/10.

Coconut Date Cake.

For dessert, we tried Chocolate Date Cake ($12). We barely tasted the coconut, but there was a crispy ring of dates with a gooey center. It was phenomenal.

Please be aware that they also automatically add a 10% gratuity.

Overall, in terms of dinner, there were other, more moderately priced options available for under $30, but we were celebrating and didn’t mind splurging. The menu is not extensive, so people usually have a good idea of what they want before they go and can return for their favorites. We already figured out ours.

Smith & Webster Restaurant

4372 N State Rd 7,
Coral Springs, FL 33073

Wed – Thurs 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Friday. 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Saturday. 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Reopens 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Sunday. 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Reopens 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Mon – Closed

Tues – Closed

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Author Profile

Han Okcuoglu

Han Okcuoglu is a curious foodie, Turkish-American and resident of South Florida for over 35 years. He graduated from FAU with a degree in Information Systems Management. He also writes food reviews on various websites and social media groups. He loves to see new restaurants and mom and pop shops get the attention they deserve and flourish.