Every so often I get the opportunity to visit a new restaurant, take pictures and write an article....today I visited HalfSmoke at 651 Florida Avenue NW, (at the crossroad of 7th and Florida Ave) and was wowed by location, the design, the food and the drink - yup slam-dunk.
A fun new (Fine) casual restaurant that hides many surprises behind its sophisticated design, HalfSmoke opening October 4th (Dinner Only) in Shaw, will quickly become a local favorite. The mid-century/modern design offers a comfortable environment, with 5 TV's scattered around and free Wifi, as well as board games for your table. HalfSmoke seats 100, with 'private areas' for groups - you can reserve these. The exterior space, which is still being completed, will seat a further 50 and already looks like somewhere that you will want to visit during our warm summer evenings.
HalfSmoke features a unique and complex food service design, combining elements of a quick-service restaurant, café, and gastro pub. The design offers a new level of transparency with all cooking elements on display. For example, guests can enjoy the process of making their own pizza with a highly efficient servery design that is anchored by an artisanal, stone hearth oven by Marra Forni.
Additionally, HalfSmoke's signature sausages are cooked on a rustic, wood fired grill by Grillworks, Inc., enhancing the exhibition element of this craft.
From the full-service bar, to the ice cream and milkshake station, to the exhibition cooking line, each essential component is flawlessly integrated to streamline circulation and flow. Indeed, the design creates a truly exciting atmosphere which celebrates the art of cooking.
As a new category “fine casual 2.0 model”, the restaurant’s mission is to maintain the culinary traditions of the classic American cooking, while providing our guests with a menu of chef-inspired food and drinks. Our signature items are all-natural, hormone and antibiotic-free, incorporating the freshest premium ingredients available. HalfSmoke is the first restaurant of its kind to combine scratch cooking methods with a “make your own” assembly line model, that encourages patrons to utilize the restaurant as a community gathering place for affordable food. HalfSmoke is a modern day gourmet sausage restaurant serving a classic American menu of premium sausages, tater tots, mac and cheese balls, funnel cakes, milkshakes, liquor, beer and wine.
- Sausage dishes range from $7 to $10
- Sides range from $3 to $5
The beverage program will feature a wide array of innovative alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. A full bar of alcoholic beverages to include seasonal fire-grilled fresh fruit cocktails (such as grilled mango mojito, grilled peach sangria, smoked sweet tea margarita and barbeque bloody marys), boozy milkshakes, 20+ craft beers (with an emphasis on local breweries), wine, champagne and mixed drinks on tap, and frozen margaritas/mojitos with fresh fruit popsicles. Non-alcoholic beverages to include craft sugar cane soda, house made seasonal lemonade and teas, and ready to drink juices, sparking water and cold brew coffee. Note: All beers, wines and cocktails are available in a flight, which is especially good to find your cocktail favorite
- Beverages range from $3 to $15
After talking with Andre McCain on the concept and making sure the restaurant was fully ready for opening, General Manager Alfio Celio began my treat with a Milk Shake "Milky Cereal" and its delicious and exactly what the name says.
This was followed by a Thai Chicken halfsmoke. This is an amazing home made chicken sausage thai style, with a red curry sauce, ginger sauce, scallions and basil - a must try for anyone.
This was followed by a halfsmoke that is centered around their signature sausage, smothered with blue cheese sauce, pulled pork, bacon, onion rings and oh! more bacon, this will be my 1st order on the 4th, when they open...everything was perfect and the taste will bring you back for more.
Finally, Alfio talked me into a cocktail. He prepared a white rum (infused - in house) with pineapple, poured over ice and charred fresh pineapple chunks, and finished off with hibiscus - smooth, easy to drink and not 'rummy'.
As it got close to noon, I was full and happy.
HalfSmoke will be Open 4th October from 4pm till 11pm (
for about 2 weeks)
After that,
11am to 11pm Sunday thru Thursday
11am to 2am Friday and Saturday
HalfSmoke is located at
651 Florida Avenue NW
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