Is 6Smith Worth the Price Tag?

A food review by Gavin Johnson

Set on the side of beautiful Lake Minnetonka in

the heart of downtown Wayzata is 6Smith, an
upscale restaurant, and bar. Dining here is
certainly a curated experience. You walk up to
the restaurant through the public boat docks
and you are greeted by a rustic steel door. This
industrial vibe carries through on the inside of
the restaurant with lots of exposed metals
contrasting with the natural wood and leather
of the decor. After arriving you are met with a few choices of where to sit. There is a bar,
indoor seating, patio seating, and a newly finished deck. Because it was a gorgeous summer
afternoon when I visited, I elected to sit outside on the patio. After being seated, the server
came right out to tell us about the nightly specials and to take the drink orders. 6Smith prides
itself on offering unique, unseen, fun twists on
classic drinks. With countless options for both
alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, there is
truly something to make anyone happy. For this
trip, I decided to get water so as to not clash with
the different foods I ordered. Shortly after drinks
were served, I placed my food order. Tonight I
had come for appetizers. I got the calamari, tuna
poke, fresh bread, and a tomato salad.

“Calamari” -$1795
Description:
Deep fried squid is served in a Thai sauce with carrots,
cilantro, Fresno peppers, scallions”

Thoughts:
The Calamari was a great mix of savory and crunchy. The
breading has the right amount to provide some texture
while not being too dry, which led to the sensation of the
calamari melting in your mouth. Overall, this was my
favorite dish that I got on this trip!
“Tuna Poke” -$2495
Description:
Ahi tuna is paired with fresh ginger, fresnos, seaweed, avocado,
and wonton crisps.

Thoughts:
Bursting with flavor, the tuna poke was excellent. The perfectly
fresh avocado complemented the savory, salty seaweed which
really tied the dish together. The wonton crisps were light and
airy. They provided the perfect delivery vessel for the poke. The
sauce that it was served with gave a surprising kick that
contrasted nicely with the smooth tuna mix.

“Bread is Life” -$995

Description:
A French baguette that is served with honey ricotta, soft butter, and a
green chimichurri.

Thoughts:
The bread came out warm and streaming. It had the right amount of
crunchy texture on the outside while still being soft and light on the
inside. With the three choices of topping, the bread would make
anyone's mouth water. My personal favorite topping was the butter. It
had the perfect consistency. The butter was light and airy and melted
right in my mouth.

“Heirloom Tomato Salad” -$1995

Description: Calabro ricotta, pickled mango, basil, baby arugula,
olive oil, aged balsamic, basil oil

Thoughts:
The heirloom tomato salad was a refreshing break. The tomatoes
were ripe and juicy. The Calabro ricotta was fresh and had the
perfect creamy consistency. The salad was brought together
with olive oil, balsamic, and basil oil to create a symphony of
taste.
Is it worth it?
It is undeniable that 6Smith serves some amazing food. The restaurant does an incredible job
of making it an experience. Complementing flavors, in both the foods and beverages, provide
the dinner with the feeling of a curated experience. The additional ambiance of the restaurant
adds a very unique feeling. A feeling that is more than just a place to eat. The question still
stands: do I think it is worth it? I think that depends on what you are looking for. If you are
looking for an experience, for a special occasion I’d say it is an excellent place to consider. As a
place to regularly visit, I think that it is incredibly overpriced. I only got appetizers and the bill
reached very close to $100. For a meal, say a 14-ounce New York strip steak, you will be paying
sixty dollars. If you have the means I would totally recommend 6Smith. It is a fun, unique
environment, the food is excellent, and it is surely a place you won’t forget!