Blue SmokeFun Times @ Blue Smoke!Reservation was at 6:15 and they were ready for us immediately even though the restaurant was packed. Servers were phenomenal, and the food was great. The restaurant has a pretty loud buzz, so this is a great place for a party or friends. The only flaw in the experience was that my husband was looking forward to the chicken fried steak and they were out of steak at 6:15.6/15/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent BarbequeThe hush puppies are excellent as an appetizer. The pulled pork platter and Rhapsody in Cue are outstanding. The service is outstanding as well.6/12/2013 12:00:00 AMnever fails to be a greatnever fails to be a great group dinner experience. fabulous service and fabulous fried chicken!6/11/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat experience.I've had two dinner dates here and both times have been great. Food was excellent and the server was great and attentive. Definitely will be back next time I'm in New York.6/9/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of our favoritesWe go here often and always have a great experience. Terrific food, friendly staff, cold beer. How can you miss. You can't. Try this place if you haven't been here before.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMConsistently good food - especiallyConsistently good food - especially the ribs, of course. Can recommend the fried bread and the Devilled Eggs - delicious. Friendly service. Relaxed atmosphere.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMLively & Casual BarbecueIt's a fun dining experience. Good food, lively, but not so noisy that you can't carry on a conversation. Extensive beer list, exotic mixed drinks. Lots of barbecued meat, though a vegetarian could get by on a number of side dishes. Easily the friendliest and most helpful restaurant staff I've ever encountered -- they must like their jobs -- and that includes the waitress, busboy, hostess, women working downstairs in the jazz club. I would go back, definitely.6/5/2013 12:00:00 AMUnbeatable ribsThis is the second time we have been and were again not disappointed. We've recommended it to many friends and all have enjoyed it! Delicious food, just wish I had a bigger stomach to fit more in as I'm still gutted to have had leftovers!!!6/5/2013 12:00:00 AMvery good placevery good food, very good service, everything was perfect :)5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMReally great ribs! We lookedReally great ribs! We looked forward to it for weeks!5/28/2013 12:00:00 AMWent to Blue Smoke with myWent to Blue Smoke with my family for a celebratory dinner. The staff was friendly and made suggestions about their favorite dishes.
We were a group of 5 and were a little crammed into a booth with 3 people on one side.. but other than that, it was a great night! I highly recomment the fluffernutter pie - it was their specialty pie that night and it was amazing!5/28/2013 12:00:00 AMA Texans' Seal of Approval!We go to Blue Smoke about 5-6 times per year. We are from Texas and have lived in NY for 8 years. The ribs at this restaurant remind us of home. It’s the best kid-friendly restaurant we have been too; from the pig cookie they decorate themselves, to the colorful bendiie strings to a tour of the kitchen by the chef that they took a few years ago. When the kid jazz series brunch on Sundays starts up again, my kids will be front and center. My son just turned 10 and when asked where he wanted to go for dinner to celebrrate his special "double digit" day, without hesitation he yelled, "Blue Smoke!"5/26/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat BBQ in NYCTook the family there for lunch the other day. Very nice ambience; we sat in the atrium area in the back. Delicious food and attentive service.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMgreat workService was fair but attentive; they probably could have used one more person on the shift. That said, the food was PHENOMENAL. The fry bread and hushpuppies were great starters, and each of us enjoyed our main course. We were too stuffed for dessert!5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMYou had me at ribs!Tried this branch of BS with my cousin last night. We each ordered the 1/2 order of beef ribs which was a good size portion of 3 large ribs. They were nicely charred and meaty just as I like. Side of fries was delish too. BS carries my favorite NZ Sauvignon Blanc as well. Next time I bring the hubby and go downstairs to Jazz Standard -- now that's a perfect combo! I consider myself the ribs maven and this is the best one in Manhattan!5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat ribs!I'm not even a big fan of bbq ribs but I really enjoyed them at Blue Smoke. Try the assorted rib dish. It was delicious. Also, you can never go wrong with the wine selection so long as it's one of Danny Meyer's restaurants. Not the cheapest meal but hey, it is NYC after all.5/16/2013 12:00:00 AMLoved it!We made reservations for Mother's Day and the food did not disappoint. The ribs were tender and flavorful, and the side dishes of corn bread and sweet potato wedges were delicious! I would recommend a thousand times over....can't wait to go back. :-)5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMMay Need a RefreshWe've been enjoying some of New York's best barbecue at Blue Smoke for years, but we're wondering if the restaurant needs a review and a refresh from senior management. The last couple visits have seemed a little auto-pilot and rushed, which is not what we expect from Danny Meyer and his teams. Granted this visit was Mother's Day and the clientele was a little too Chucky Cheese. But the service has been just as rushed and disconnected on other occasions, and the menu has grown a little sleepy. Everything needs a quick examination before it gets too franchise-like and loses its soul.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMcarnivores rejoiceI took my college son and three of his friends here for dinner: excellent decision, but at the same time I will definitely return with (only) my husband. If you're in the mood for southern barbecue in a very pleasant setting, served competently and with a smile, this is the place for you. I don't eat a lot of meat simply because I usually find ethnic vegetarian food more interesting, but I had the pulled pork. The beef ribs were also delicious (nabbed one from my son's plate). I will return just to make a meal out of the side dishes and corn bread: lots of delicious choices.5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMBlue Smoke is FunExcellent ribs, friendly service. Sometimes it gets too loud, but even then, it's not too hard to conduct a conversation.5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways greatSo good, so consistent. Friendly, attentive service, absolutely delicious food, and they acknowledged our special occasion (anniversary) in a thoughtful way. Love this lace!5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMMmmmm BBQGreat BBQ and terrific sides. One of my NY favorites when I visit. I definitely recommend reservations with Open Table since the wait can be 45 mins or more at busier times.5/6/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful TimeWe were seated immediately even though our entire part was not there. The service was great and the food was wonderful. I will definitely be back!5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMNothing Else Compares!Best barbecue in the city hands down! Nothing else compares to the baby back ribs...and the servce is excellent and accommodating as well!4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMBlue Smoke is the high-endBlue Smoke is the high-end version of a real barbecue joint, in the midst of Manhattan.I would definitely return to try other dishes on the menu.I had a cocktail called the porch swing, which was worth its price and refreshing.The St.Louis toasted ravioli was great and its smoked tomato sauce was divine.The Texas Salt and Pepper Beef Ribs were superbly seasoned and magnificently marbled, as always.For dessert,I had the rhubarb crisp, which was tasty and as toasty as your favorite down comforter.It was topped off by an ambrosia-like orange buttermilk ice cream.A good time will be had by all and good food will be eaten, when you go to Blue Smoke.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing, delicious, wouldAmazing, delicious, would definitely go back again!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food as was theExcellent food as was the case on the occasion of previous visits. Friendly waiters. However, the young staff at reception desk/maitre d' is not up to it and seems to like to have guests waiting. Although I had a confirmed table for 8.45 p.m. on 18th April, I had to wait 15 minutes despite the fact that three tables were free. This is not the first time that this happened when visiting this restaurant. But the menu and the quality of the food make you go back again.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food is amazing! We hadThe food is amazing! We had a wonderful time. It did get noisy and difficult to hear they need some kind of sound deadening material to absorb the sound.4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMWe left a hand-written commentWe left a hand-written comment card with the restaurant, singing their praises. The waitress was attentive, but never once "interrupted" us. This was my mom's 63rd birthday, and they presented her with a beautiful "Happy Birthday" on her dessert plate (written in chocolate frosting), and candle on top of a chocolate layer cake slice. Wonderful touch! The food was great, the Bloody Mary's were VERY good--spicy and a nice kick, not watered down. My brother is a foodie and a bit of a big-shot in the food circles--and he was very satisfied as well. The music was excellent, not too loud and the genre (Jazz, Blues, Rock-Blues) was very well balanced. The rib sampler was my favorite! A great experience overall.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMUsually with an Open TableUsually with an Open Table reservation we get a terrific table. However, this time I had to ask to be switched (one of those long benches with chairs on the other side and you are actually in the people's conversation next to you) They did accommodate us but it was the first time an OT res. did not have a good seating set up. Blue Smoke is a great bbq place and the food is really good..hopefully next time our seating will be better.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMConsistently GoodSeated on the mezzanine- I prefer the main floor, but it turned out to be fine. The appetizer arrived cold, it was sent back, but after receiving a new appetizer which was hot, everything else was fine. I have been eating at Blue Smoke, perhaps once a year since it opened and the restaurant has been consistently good.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious! The sweet potatoDelicious! The sweet potato fries were the best ones I have ever had and the sauce made with mayo, maple syrup and sour cream was super delish! The ribs were also very tasty. Can't wait to go back and that time enjoy some jazz with dinner.4/11/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food is good, if a littleThe food is good, if a little expensive for what it is.4/11/2013 12:00:00 AMWas recommended to try andWas recommended to try and not disappointed, great food ambience and service. Was pleasantly surprised to see so many families enjoying a Sunday brunch. Would definitely recommend4/7/2013 12:00:00 AMWe made reservations and weWe made reservations and we arrived 15 minutes earlier and we had to wait. However, the food was incredible AWESOME! We tried the ribs sampler for two and ordered the spicy cheese fries (super yumm!) and the mac and cheese. The beer sampler (four, 5oz each) is a good choice if you are not sure what to drink.4/7/2013 12:00:00 AMgreat beer selection and yougreat beer selection and you can get a 5 beer sampler, ribs were awesome - recommend the rib sampler to try them all.4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent barbecue. The appetiziersExcellent barbecue. The appetiziers and sides distinguish Blue Smoke as one of the best places to go for your barbecue fix. Service is great and attentive. Always one of my favorites4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food with great serviceGreat food with great service made for a wonderful Easter dinner. We will be back.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a reservation for aWe had a reservation for a group of 6 for Easter dinner and all agreed the food was delicious and the atmosphere relaxed and comfortable without demanding attention. Our server was professional and courteous keeping up with our needs yet not being pushy by interrupting conversations to see how we were doing. The wait at the bar while members of our party arrived and the table was being prepared was an equally nice part of the evening. The bartender was welcoming and knowledgable and the size of the bar itself is nice and large, not crammed and tiny. We definitely will return to the Blue Smoke to enjoy another satisfying dinner experience.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMI used to live in North Carolina,I used to live in North Carolina, so I tried the NC Barbecue (with sauce from the table). I loved it! We split a chopped salad and it was excellent.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMI always enjoy dining at BlueI always enjoy dining at Blue Smoke. The food is delicious, especially the pulled pork platter, and the service attentive and friendly. The lager and ale menu is varied and full of surprises and there's always a new addition or two.3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMFrom the moment I walked throughFrom the moment I walked through the door I was greeted with such kindness and happiness. The people working there seemed genuinely happy to be there. To me that makes a huge difference in my dining experience.3/25/2013 12:00:00 AMTwo couples from NorwayBlue smoke is one of the best barbequerestaurant I've been to. Great atmosphere, nice ribs, good coctails and lot of different beers. Will come back next time in NYC!3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMAlthough a bit pricy as allAlthough a bit pricy as all items are a la carte, the food was tasty.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMBlue Smoke never disappoints.Blue Smoke never disappoints. The food is consistently good and satisfying. Friends in from out of town had the rib sampler and were wowed. They also loved the mac & cheese (which is sinful), the collard greens and sweet potato fries. We also had the dessert sampler, which was perfect and a bit sinful. There are a great selection of beers to choose from and the service is always great.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMSuch a gem! ConsistentlySuch a gem! Consistently delicious from appetizer, to entree and dessert. Rib sampler & dessert samplers are great for sharing, and be sure to try all of the sauces to see which you like best - you may be surprised! Service is attentive and friendly. Only minor comment is that there is a huge waiting list (most people hang out at the bar), so there is no lingering over dessert. Go for lunch/brunch which is much more relaxing.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMA nice change from the usualFun place to go. A little bit different and not your typical New York food. Wonderful ribs and tasteful side dishes which you pay for. I would go back. Have been to Kansas City for their ribs and this is a close second. Wait staff is attentive. Try the "Flights" of beer. A nice sampling.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat staff and busy for aGreat staff and busy for a reason.
Loved the food and can't wait for the rock shrimp to return!3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMArrived 30 mins early forArrived 30 mins early for our 7:15 reservation and the hostess told us she would try to get us in a bit early. Turned out to be 15 mins late getting in. I really wish they would hire someone other than inexperienced staff with no ability to think on their feet and no concept of excellent customer service. Once we got past that, the food and service were what they always are - very good.3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMBlue Smoke's lively vibesBlue Smoke's lively vibes and happy generational mix make the restaurant a winner. The food is very good -- short of great, perhaps, but tasty enough to keep crowds returning. This place is fun.3/11/2013 12:00:00 AM