OK, we didn’t go to Smoke for the food. We went because we like jazz, and frankly we’ve walked by this place a million times and thought we should check it out.

This dusky club is the polar opposite of the sleek jazz venues at the Time Warner Center. Though it opened in 1999, Smoke evokes that slightly boho, somewhat grubby era before the Upper West Side became a chic extension of the Upper East Side.

There’s barely a bad seat in the house in this small club and Smoke boasts amazing acoustics. Wayne Escoffrey and Veneration, the group playing last night, was terrific–a first rate group composed of a vibraphonist, a trumpeter, a drummer and a saxophonist.

As for the food, well, you don’t go to Smoke to eat. I ordered simple dishes like shrimp cocktail and a moist, tasty vegetarian sandwich with goat cheese. Ribs were less successful and with the $28.00 cover charge, you can run up a pretty hefty tab.

All in all, it’s great to have Smoke in the ‘hood.

Smoke
2751 Broadway
New York, NY
212 864 6662

Related posts:

1. Upper West Side Restaurants: Cafe des Artistes To Reopen; Smoke Jazz Club Features Corn Chowder
2. Upper West Side: Whole Foods’ First Birthday Party at Columbus and 97th St. Store
3. Upper West Side: Oscars and Hors d’œuvres March 7 at Lincoln Center