Blue Smoke

»Blue Smoke Bakeshop

I really like the cupcakes at this bakeshop located at the front of Blue Smoke. The vanilla and chocolate ones it sells everyday are light, not overly sweet, and perfectly sized (not too large like the cupcakes at Crumbs which I think taste terrible). The bakeshop also offers a cupcake of the month that is usually very good...in particular, I've enjoyed the red velvet, a blueberry one from this...+READ I really like the cupcakes at this bakeshop located at the front of Blue Smoke. The vanilla and chocolate ones it sells everyday are light, not overly sweet, and perfectly sized (not too large like the cupcakes at Crumbs which I think taste terrible). The bakeshop also offers a cupcake of the month that is usually very good...in particular, I've enjoyed the red velvet, a blueberry one from this past summer (I think), and the banana one it's selling currently.

I also love the banana cream pie and while I'm not a key lime pie fan, I have brought it to dinner parties and others seem to really like it. The mini whoopie pie and the mini pecan pie are also very good. One thing I did not enjoy was the praline.

I don't recall seeing this place mentioned on this board and would be interested to see others' opinions and if anyone has recommendations on what else to get here? Thanks!-COLLAPSE / REPLY (2 Replies) (by churros, created January 21, 2012)

Was at Blue Smoke yesyerday, put me on the 'worst' list. Started with the homemade BBQ potato chips with blue cheese and bacon dip. Were drinking Fitz's sodas. Going great at this point. Then the real food came. The fatty brisket was luke warm ,very fatty, not like Fette Sau or Hill Country fatty, and had the texture as though it had been steamed for hours, like a washcloth, also the beef ribs...+READ Was at Blue Smoke yesyerday, put me on the 'worst' list. Started with the homemade BBQ potato chips with blue cheese and bacon dip. Were drinking Fitz's sodas. Going great at this point. Then the real food came. The fatty brisket was luke warm ,very fatty, not like Fette Sau or Hill Country fatty, and had the texture as though it had been steamed for hours, like a washcloth, also the beef ribs swhich were very cold and appeared to have been cooked to death weeks ago. They were impossible to chew and what meat was on them was so overcooked, l was fortunate that they were impossible to chew. The sides were as follows. Mac/cheese was gluey, the baked beans were so undercooked they crunched and were in a watery sauce. The hush puppies were raw in the center and l finally found a cole slaw l could not eat. Place was busy and service was adequate. Bill for two was @ $ 100 and other than the blue cheese dip and potato chips, mostly went uneaten.-COLLAPSE / REPLY (12 Replies) (by Delucacheesemonger, created December 14, 2011)

Blue Smoke is not too far from Union Square. Went last week after not having been in a long time. Skipped the bbq in favor of their burger, which is fabulous!

Blue Smoke photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157627598128859/

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com REPLY (3 Replies) (by RGR, created September 26, 2011)

»Blue Smoke - what a joke

Ok, so I realize that this restaurant isn't exactly the epitome of fine dining in Manhattan...but we were looking for a place we could walk in late on a Sunday night (visiting from Toronto). There seemed to be some decent recommendations for this place, so we thought we'd give it a try.

In one word, I would describe this place as TERRIBLE. We waited about 1/2 hr, which is what the hostess said...+READ Ok, so I realize that this restaurant isn't exactly the epitome of fine dining in Manhattan...but we were looking for a place we could walk in late on a Sunday night (visiting from Toronto). There seemed to be some decent recommendations for this place, so we thought we'd give it a try.

In one word, I would describe this place as TERRIBLE. We waited about 1/2 hr, which is what the hostess said the wait would be (no issues there). Our waiter was rude from the start, and not just a little condescending. When I ordered a glass of wine, he mistook my selection and said "that's a rose, just so you know". If I had actually ordered the wine he had thought I had, he was assuming that I couldn't read - obviously it was clearly listed as a rose. I chose a syrah, which was unavailable. He then had the bright idea that I try the pinot noir, because "it's similar to shiraz" - WHAT? You don't understand wine - fine. But you should have a basic understanding of your list, and not make recommendations when you have no idea.

Our food came. We had an order of the hush puppies - raw inside and served with a sickly sweet sauce. Fine, moving on. Then came the mains - full rack of KC spareribs with a side of collard greens, and the pulled pork platter. First the ribs - extremely tough, difficult to eat. I think I got through about three before giving up. Greens were ok, but barely lukewarm. The pulled pork was dry, and came with some truly horrific beans (canned?) that were also lukewarm.

We opted out of dessert, but were ordering more drinks. Our wannabe hipster waiter then unceremoniously dropped the bill (check) on our table with not so much as a thank you.

I know this place is only mentioned occasionally on this board, but I guess I wanted to give a heads-up to other visitors etc who may be considering trying it. Stay away!

(BTW we had the pulled pork sandwiches at RUB and they were FANTASTIC).-COLLAPSE / REPLY (19 Replies) (by sam_1, created December 8, 2009)

(by aznknites, created July 31, 2011)

(by ditchpudding, created July 6, 2010)