https://www.smithandwollensky.co.uk

Pandemic restrictions are finally lifting, indoor dining is once again back on the menu, and the Great Caesar Salad Search is, of course, right at the forefront.

This time we travelled to Smith & Wollensky, one of the many American Steakhouse-type restaurants that have appeared around the capital in recent years. The salad comes as both main course and side, so we chose the latter to see how well it could pack a punch into a smaller package.

The portion size was spot on for a side dish, and in appearance the salad was all you could ask for: crisp, fresh lettuce leaves sprinkled with parmesan – both thin slices and shavings, a nice touch – and interspersed with big, homemade croutons.

It came with anchovies – a personal dislike but one that was easily dealt with – and, rather oddly, a spoon.

Upon the first few bites, the lettuce was clearly the highlight: crisp and mouth-watering. The dressing was evenly spread throughout and, although light, clung to every leaf with the right level of creamy consistency. The croutons were crunchy, albeit unexciting, and provided all the necessary solidity.

Unfortunately, that was where things fell from the heights. The dressing was, in truth, a bit bland and mostly tasteless. It was seemingly there to hold the salad together rather than to impart any extra dimension of flavour.

Still, the salad was a very decent choice and was definitely better as a side dish given its minor shortcomings. We give it a more than respectable 8 out of 10, and we are more than happy to able to give out these reviews once more.