Silversmiths Restaurant & Bar Reviews

  See also: the Silversmiths Restaurant & Bar profile page.

Chris Markham - 18th March 2012

Rating:

Just endured a Mother's Day meal at Silversmiths. The table was booked for 4PM and although a free cocktail was advertised as being offered to "Mothers" we had to ask three time before this was provided.

My starter was pork belly, which was very dry and the accompanying crackling was very tough and rather tasteless.

For the main I had the beef sirloin with Yorkshire puddings and roast potatoes. I can honestly say that this was amongst the worst meals I have ever endured. The beef was tough and fatty, the Yorkshire pudding was old, flat and bland and the roast potatoes would have made "Aunt Bessie" ashamed.

Following the amazingly poor starter and main I plumped for the cheese board for the third course. Amongst the cheeses advertised was Yorkshire Blue, which is a particular favourite. On arrival the cheese board consisted of three 3mm slices of three cheeses with 4 plain water biscuits and a very small piece of fruit loaf, a few onions and a tablespoon of dry sultanas masquerading as chutney. The cheese board was dry, bland and tasteless made worse by the fact that no butter was offered or present on the board.

Following the great reviews that Silversmiths has received in the past I was extremely disappointed by the worse than mediocre offering at Silversmiths. This, coupled with the poor service, excused by the fact that "we've been extremely busy" made my visit to Silversmiths a non event.

Lyndsey Stokes - 17th November 2011

Rating:

They wouldn't let us eat our celebration cake that we took down, as we presumed it wouldn't be a problem and was promptly told (before we had even sat down) they don't allow cakes, as they want you to buy a pudding from them.

Then when we had several conversations with the assistant manager, manager and then owner who was summoned down (I think he was at home) a little drastic. He proceeded to tell us it was because his insurance didn't cover us to eat brought in cake and if we ate it and got food poisoning we could sue him, which I have to say is very, very extreme.

They also need to make sure all the staff know the same reasons as the different excuses just made us even more suspicious of them. We suggested they put this on their website.

Didn't spoil the evening but our party of 10 definitely won't go again.

Craig Chisell - 19th February 2011

Rating:

Dined on the 11th February. Myself & the wife both had the Valentine's three course menu. Service & food were spot on.

Nick Lilley - 28th November 2010

Rating:

Visited with a party of ten from Louth, Lincolnshire, on Saturday 27th November 2010.

Lovely ambience, welcoming and attentive staff, nothing too much trouble. Several large parties in & place full (good sign). Could see empty plates being cleared whilst we had a drink at the bar (another good sign).

Food and service 1st class; menu made up with local Yorkshire produce, all 3 courses very tasty & moreish. Better than many so called "top-end" & starred UK establishments.

Excellent value, highly recommended, already looking forward to next visit.

Michael Seeram - 20th November 2010

Rating:

Silversmiths in Sheffield have got it in one - style, attentive staff, varied menu with surprise, local produce, and great value.

John Daniels - 12th November 2010

Rating:

This place is great. The quality of food and the price that it is for is excellent. Attention to detail is looked at on every aspect.

Booking was a little strange as they don't open until after 5PM, so I would recommend either booking well in advance or calling them when open to speak to someone.

I think that the reason they are busy is due to the quality of service and the food provided.

Will absolutely be visiting this restaurant to sample the other choices on the menu, and soon!

J Sherwin - 5th August 2010

Rating: (Not rated - review added before star ratings introduced.)

It has been some time since I last visited Silversmiths but the food is every bit as good as on previous occasions

I had loin of venison as a main course, which was possibly the best I have ever had. It was so tender you could have fed it to a baby. My wife had the sea bass linguine - a first for her- but equally enjoyable.

The service and ambiance helped to make it a very special evening.

K Wragg - 26th October 2009

Rating: (Not rated - review added before star ratings introduced.)

We called Saturday morning to book a table for that evening and left a message. We were politely called back to say that unfortunately they were full, but would keep our number in case of a cancellation (great customer service).

We arrived in Sheffield and, as the restaurant is close to the train station, we called in on the off chance. They accommodated us very well, as we said that we wouldn't stay long as we were going on to a concert.

The food very nice, the ambience spot on, hosts great, food prices reasonable. All in all a very enjoyable experience

Tom & Petra - 5th September 2009

Rating: (Not rated - review added before star ratings introduced.)

We ended up at Silversmith's after finding out that Kumquat Mae had closed (all reviews had sounded spot on for what we'd had in mind). Silversmith's didn't sound too bad, liked the idea of local sourcing, and so we gave it a whirl for a celebration meal.

Initial impressions from approaching the restaurant were encouraging; the simple, white, unassuming building seemed quiet and welcoming. To be honest, the interior decor was a shock with its harsh black, white and red colour scheme, flooring spot lights, plastic flowers and something not quite right about the tables and chairs.

The food more than compensated for the surroundings: tasty combinations of flavours, clearly skilled cooking and presentation, just the right size portions and all tied up in a very reasonable bill. Excellent wine and prompt, polite service.

Overall: 8.5/10 (mainly limited by the decor).

We will definitely return, and recommend to others.

Katie Walsh - 27th July 2009

Rating: (Not rated - review added before star ratings introduced.)

The Pie Night is a must and offers the best veggie pie in the Sheffield area. The food is of good standard and is fresh. The food tastes clean and is not clogged up with oil or cream unlike most veggie options.

The atmosphere is pleasant and relaxed and it's ideal for the lone business traveller (including females) or larger groups. It offers an excellent choice of drinks and has drinks that not even the likes of the St Paul's carries... which is staying something.

I would recommend a visit whether for Pie Night or otherwise, the food is good and varied.

Gof Thompson - 28th June 2009

Rating: (Not rated - review added before star ratings introduced.)

We have dined twice recently at Silversmiths, sampling their fixed price (£15/3 courses) and a la carte menus. In both cases the bill came to about £30 per head, which included pre-dinner drinks, wine, and coffee. Very good for fine dining.

Food ingredients and cooking are of high quality, as is the attentiveness, good humour and helpfulness of the staff. The restaurant is well patronised, stylishly decorated and comfortable.

Jenny Quayle - 23rd June 2009

Rating: (Not rated - review added before star ratings introduced.)

Having used Silversmiths for business clients, my daughter and I decided to book for a birthday celebration for ourselves.

Even though there were two larger parties in that night, the excellent service was not hindered in any way. Attention to detail, both by the owners/managers, and by the chef, was most evident.

The menu was selective and eclectic, and I could have chosen any of the dishes for the evening and been well-satisfied. The creative presentation of the food was a delight, and the food itself was carefully spiced and flavoured, served promptly and hot. I have not had such a good dining experience at this standard for a very long time.

We most certainly will be booking again.

G & G Buckthorpe - 20th June 2009

Rating: (Not rated - review added before star ratings introduced.)

After seeing this restaurant on 'Kitchen Nightmares' we decided to visit... (like probably most 'foodies' in Sheffield!) And it was a great experience - their food fairly simple yet expertly cooked (and with a combination like that the chef knows not to overdo it with 'trendy sauces' or call the dish something stupid) and with good produce (their plum tart tatin was the best I'd ever tasted - and I'm not a dessert kind of person). So we decided to go again, this time for our anniversary...

Unfortunately the tart tatin had been removed from the menu... but because I'd loved it so much the first time, their chef said he'd make one especially for me... which again was amazing. Unfortunately I think other customers saw our special dessert and subsequently wanted one too!

I suppose some people might think the restaurant is quite pricey and the portions aren't massive - but it's quality you are paying for and as for the portions - to me they were just right... after all the meal does leave you wanting more...which is what good food is supposed to do... not leaving you feeling as though you've just eaten a whole whale.

For special occasions - this is the place.

We are yet to try the restaurant's other special evenings (pie night etc...) but it won't be long before we do.

Nigel Fenwick - 17th June 2009

Rating: (Not rated - review added before star ratings introduced.)

My partner and I recently booked a table at Silversmiths (Saturday 16th May 2009) to find out for ourselves if it was as good as some of our friends had told us.

There was a lot of choice on the main menu (even the 3 for £15 menu looked good), the food was excellent and the service was very, very good indeed. Everyone who worked there had a smile on their face and this certainly helps to turn an evening out into a special occasion. We are definitely going back.

One final point, one which is often overlooked, the toilets are very clean and hygienic.

David Oldershaw - 30th April 2009

Rating: (Not rated - review added before star ratings introduced.)

Very impressed by the light touch of the chefs in the kitchen.

Our meal for 2 on 29/4/2009 started with prawns and a pear salad. It's so easy to serve undercooked (for fear of over cooking them) or overcooked prawns that are like elastic bands. Thankfully ours were cooked to perfection. Whilst the slices of pears were on the 'crunchy' side, the dressing on the salad and prawns was light, fruity and perfectly balanced for the 2 main ingredients.

I didn't taste my companion's main course although she said it was a very good flaky tart of some description (the food not her), as I didn't want to have to share any of my pigeon with new potatoes. Again, a meat that is difficult to get right, I was served 2 perfectly cooked breasts along with some slices of new potatoes and salad leaves. Again, the accompanying dressing and some intense jammy/confit of whatever was superb.

We both had a large glass of wine and although my Malbec was pricey it was a great glass of velvety fruityness.

Not a big one for deserts I opted for the cheese (3 types), which came with plenty of crackers. My friend had a weird concoction of brioche with minted bananas - yes, minted bananas. The mint was very subtle (I did get a taste of this in exchange for some smoked cheese I wasn't keen on), so subtle it was hardly worth it. We found out after that this was its first outing on the menu and probably its last as it was a damp squib compared to the rest of the meal.

Overall, excellent value at £45 for the 2 of us, bearing in mind my expensive glass of red and somewhere I would go back to quite soon.

Caroline Hart - 19th February 2009

Rating: (Not rated - review added before star ratings introduced.)

This is a great independent restaurant and the Tuesday night special pie night (superb!) has become a sell-out. I was there last week and saw people turned away because the restaurant was fully booked, the advice being to reserve a table at least a week in advance.

They also do chefs special menus on Wednesdays and Thursdays with a more limited menu but again excellent food. It's literally on the doorstep of Sheffield Hallam University (city campus) and well worth checking out.

Tim Fleck - 13th February 2009

Rating: (Not rated - review added before star ratings introduced.)

We tried to book a party of 20 well in advance and they told us that they had a policy only to book parties of no more than 10. So when we asked if we could split our party into 2 tables of 10 they refused still! We were ready to pay up front and give our menu choices in advance, but apparently in a recession they can afford to turn away parties of 20. Unbelievable, I'm sure there are many other restaurants in Sheffield will be happy to take our money. Very poor indeed.

Chloe - 15th January 2009

Rating: (Not rated - review added before star ratings introduced.)

We went here on a Saturday night after seeing a review in Exposed magazine. Initially recognised as "Runaway Girl" the decor has changed (but for the better) and the welcome and service was exceptional. The staff were knowledgeable of the food and wine, very polite and attentive.

I had the smoked fish risotto for starters and it was amazing! My other half had the salt beef and that was also great (portions were huge, too). I had the venison sausage (as brought to the restaurant by Gordon Ramsay), which was good and the cod that Ki had was excellent. We shared a bottle of red, which was deep and rich and then the chocolate and marshmallow fondue for desert.

We were told that Ramsay made the changes last year as Runaway Girl was "confused!". Silversmiths isn't. It's honest, Yorkshire-grown food, served in an unpretentious relaxed environment with great service. Will definitely go again.

Peter and Sheila - 7th November 2008

Rating: (Not rated - review added before star ratings introduced.)

We had an enjoyable evening and lovely meal at this restaurant last weekend. The service was friendly and efficient and the food was delicious. We had been to this venue when it was Runaway Girl and we were surprised but delighted with the recent changes. Shall definitely go back in the near future.

Craig - 19th October 2008

Rating: (Not rated - review added before star ratings introduced.)

Went to Silversmiths for the first time Saturday night (18/10/08). I was a bit apprehensive at first, but the food & service were excellent, along with value. I will definitely be going back. Highly recommended.