SMITH & WOLLENSKY CELEBRATES ITS 45 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
America’s Steakhouse celebrates 45 years of hospitality, announcing an exclusive collaboration with Maker’s Mark and plans for future expansion
BOSTON, MASS. – (2022) – This past fall, Smith & Wollensky, the iconic dining brand, celebrated 45 years as America’s Steakhouse. Famously described by The New York Times as “a steakhouse to end all arguments”, Smith & Wollensky is celebrating its anniversary with a variety of commemorative activations including an exclusive collaboration with legendary bourbon distillers, Maker’s Mark, in addition to custom steak knives created by master craftsman Adam Simha from MKS Designs. The time-honored brand also has plans for new locations slated to debut within the next year including expanding its presence in Boston and new locations in Washington D.C. and internationally.
Burlington is the first location that will be home to the newest Smith & Wollensky, expanding the brand’s presence in its hometown of Boston, Massachusetts. The restaurant will have dining rooms on two levels, a large horseshoe bar, an upper-level indoor-outdoor bar, expansive private event spaces and outdoor patio dining. More details about the design and grand opening will be announced in the new year, along with plans for Smith & Wollenksy’s long-awaited return to the nation’s capital, Washington, DC. and across the globe.
“It’s an incredible achievement to be celebrating 45 amazing years as “America’s Steakhouse.” said Kim Lapine, CMO of PPX Hospitality Brands. “Despite recent challenges for our industry, our brand has consistently provided guests with the highest quality steak and hospitality our guests have come to expect. Our continued growth and perseverance is a clear indication of that. We’re proud of our team and their commitment to delivering the best steakhouse dining experience possible, and we’re excited to introduce these new brand evolutions and announce new location developments as we enter the next chapter in our story.”
With a heavy pour of excitement, Smith & Wollenskhy has partnered with Maker’s Mark for the restaurant’s 45th anniversary, debuting Maker’s Mark Private Select Barrel. Earlier this year, members of the Smith & Wollensky team including Chief Culinary Officer, Chef Matt King and National Beverage Director, Christian Gianaris traveled to Maker’s Mark distillery in Loretto Kentucky to work directly with master distillers, creating a custom, unique expression of the wood-finished bourbon. The team worked collaboratively to develop a flavor profile that compliments the restaurant’s menu of premium steaks and chops, in addition to shellfish and seafood.
“We are thrilled to be able to partner with such a legendary brand like Maker’s Mark at such an exciting time for our brand. Their American story, anchored by family and character, align perfectly with our brand values. Maker’s commitment to the painstaking process necessary for quality bourbon reminds me of the similar steps we take with our premium steaks. This partnership was a natural collaboration as Maker’s Mark is year-after-year one of our most popular spirits, in addition to being the perfect bourbon to pair with our USDA Prime and American Wagyu beef,” said Gianaris. “Whether neat, on the rocks or in a cocktail, we are passionate about this Private Selection and can’t wait for our guests to taste and experience it.”
Beginning as fully matured Maker’s Mark® at cask strength, the Private Selection is created by adding 10 custom wood finishing staves, hand-selected by the Smith & Wollensky team, to each barrel. It’s then aged in a limestone cellar to extract a unique, flavorful taste profile. The finishing staves were a unique combination of various profiles chosen with S&W’s cuisine and experience in-mind. Smith & Wollensky’s private selection of Maker’s Mark can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks or as part of a unique tasting flight experience; Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Maker’s Mark 46, and Private Selection – Smith & Wollensky 45th Anniversary Edition.
Smith & Wollensky will also debut a custom steak knife in collaboration with Boston-based knifemaker Adam Simha of MKS Designs. Created to compliment the steak-eating experience, the knife features high quality steel and handle materials and a bespoke shape and design. The designer worked alongside the restaurant’s Chief Culinary Officer, Chef Matt King to create a specialized steak knife like no other. These heirloom-quality knives will also soon be available in gift sets for the steak lover on your holiday list.
The original Smith & Wollensky location opened in 1977 in New York City and has since become an institution known for its American hospitality and high-quality USDA Prime steaks, butchered and dry-aged on premise. The restaurant brand is proud to be the only national steakhouse brand devoted to dry-aging and hand-carving USDA Prime steaks in house. Together with the brand’s committed partners, America’s Steakhouse has sourced a selection of American Wagyu cuts to complement their USDA Prime steaks this year, elevating the classic steakhouse experience to new luxurious heights.
To learn more about Smith & Wollensky’s 45th anniversary celebrations, visit https://www.smithandwollensky.com, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
About Smith and Wollensky
Since its establishment in 1977 as America’s classic steakhouse, Smith & Wollensky has been committed to delivering unparalleled hospitality and the best USDA Prime steaks, dry-aged for tenderness and flavor and hand butchered on site daily. Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group is headquartered in Boston, and owns and operates seven iconic Smith & Wollensky locations in the U.S.: Miami Beach; Chicago; Las Vegas; New York; and two restaurants in Boston. International locations include London and Taipei. The acclaimed wine list, rich ambiance and exceptional service are designed to provide guests with a truly memorable steakhouse experience. Smith & Wollensky has received numerous local and national awards, including the “Grand Award of Excellence” from WINE SPECTATOR and the “Award of Excellence” from Distinguished Restaurants of North America. Follow Smith & Wollensky on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
About PPX Hospitality Brands
PPX Hospitality Brands is a Boston-based hospitality group that includes The Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group, The Strega Group and Legal Sea Foods Restaurant Group. To learn more, visit https://www.ppxhospitalitybrands.com/.
PPX Hospitality Brands – Quality Control Center (QCC): Since the acquisition of Legal Sea Foods in December 2020, PPX Hospitality Brands continues its investment in the company’s Boston headquarters which houses a central commissary and processing facility located in Boston Harbor’s thriving Seaport at 1 Seafood Way. With a steadfast commitment to food safety, quality, and consistency the company is dedicated to upholding best practices in sustainable sourcing and the highest standards possible for all of the company’s restaurant brands: Smith & Wollensky, Legal Sea Foods and Strega Italiano.
Seafood processing, laboratory testing, fish-cutting, butchering, and homemade pasta-making are just some of the production processes taking place daily. In addition, proprietary sauces, dressings, marinades, and Legal Sea Foods famous New England Clam Chowder are prepared and distributed nationwide daily. The facility also serves as the company’s support center for all restaurants across the company, housing finance and accounting personnel, human resources, marketing, IT, beverage, purchasing and more. Training and continued development programs are hosted in the company’s training center while the Culinary Team focuses on menu development in the state-of-the-art Test Kitchen. This hospitality hub is central to the company’s growth and expansion in the years ahead.
