Smolt's layout and interior are quite nice, but then it was recently revamped from an empty shell that used to be The Antarctic Experience or something like that.
There's also an intersting mix of tables, quiet intimate tables at the back plus a larger "communal" table at the front of the restaurant. This makes for a fun dining experience where you can meet new people, also if you're dining alone can break the loner feeling.
Apart from that it's typical modern minimalist, but they've done it well so none of that annoying loud echo that concrete or tiled floors can sometimes give.
The service was very good, with our waiter knowledgeable on all the dishes on the menu, and quick to refresh drinks when required. It was a work lunch however so mostly it was beers all around so we didn't try the wine list, but there appeared to be a reasonable selection.
The menu is somewhat spartan but does cover all the bases that modern Australian cuisine should. They also have a few different pizzas on the menu making this their kind of specialty.
There were a few of us at the table so we saw a variety of dishes, whilst I personally went for the italian sausage, chilli and fennel pizza.
The pizza was very good, well cooked and a great mix of flavours. I was unsure how the combo would go but thouroughly enjoyed it. Everyone else's meals were also well presented and by all accounts done well. The only complaint was from one guy who had ordered the pumpkin side, who said he couldn't quite put his finger on it but the pumpkin tasted "funny". Might be an individual taste thing as everyone has different expectations, and I didn't taste it myself.
Almost everyone went the desert option as well, perhaps becasue it was free, but also a testimony I think to decent portion control, so you still feel like you can eat desert after a main. The biggest hit was the chocolate brownie but I opted for the cheese platter, I didn't think chocolate and aniseed flavours would mesh that well.
I can't remember the exact cheeses (I should write this stuff down), but there was a brie, a cheddar and a blue, presented with some biscuits, quince paste and toasted walnuts. Cheese is pretty hard to get wrong, basically you just need to pick the right cheese and store it correctly. Smolt had done both of these, so the cheese was good, as was the toasted walnuts. Not sure what they did but they had a great flavour and were still a little bit warm when brought to the table. A nice touch.
All in all the food was very good, and they've done a wonderful job on the design side too. The only few minor complaints would be the lack of choice, although sometimes it's better to do a few dishes well than a lot poorly. I'm unsure of the affiliation with the Tassal shop in the same building, but it has a feel that's they're kind of one and the same place so I'd have expected to see some more salmon and or fish on the menu. The second minor complaint would be the price. It's not the cheapest and whilst the food is good it's not exceptional. Low thirties for a main is strating to get into the pricey side which I don't think was reflected in the food. The pizzas were in the $20 range though from memory so if you wanted to do it a bit cheaper they do provide options.
All in all I'd go back, but that's a no brainer as I have been back several times.
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