MIKE SMITH

EXECUTIVE CHEF - 2900

email:  mike@2900restaurant.com

Over the last decade, Chef Mike Smith has refined his creative flare for food at numerous noteworthy restaurants in Dallas.  His exposure to a variety of international cuisines coupled with his Southern roots provide him with an expansive culinary repertoire that has earned him the respect and praise of critics and peers including the coveted four-star rating by the Dallas Morning News.

Mike's Dallas restaurant, 2900, has been a success from its inception in 2001.  Although there was no grand advertising campaign or loud opening parties, the secret of 2900's casual elegance and eclectic menu spread quickly through word of mouth.   Well known for his award winning cuisine at sibling restaurant, Thomas Avenue Beverage Company, Mike raised the bar demonstrating his talent as a four star chef at 2900.

Mike's achievement is the result of years of dedication and innovation.  He learned the business from the bottom to the top, working as a bartender and restaurant manager before he endeavored to cook.  Discovering a career he loved, Mike began his culinary evolution in 1993 as a sous chef at The Green Room.  The restaurant earned four stars from The Dallas Morning News and was named one of the 10 Top New Restaurants by the Dallas Observer, D Magazine and The Dallas Morning News.  This opportunity enabled him to become Chef de Cuisine at Arcodoro/Pomodoro, also a four star restaurant, where he refined his gift for Italian cooking.

By the later part of the 90's, Mike had earned his place as Executive Chef at Thomas Avenue Beverage Company.  He crafted a diverse menu that capitalized on the many experiences and exposures of his culinary journey.  His experimentation and daring creativity resulted in numerous accolades from Texas Monthly, The Dallas Observer and D Magazine.  The restaurant's success continues seven years later as it recently earned three and a half stars from The Dallas Morning News.

In 2001, Mike was ready to put his efforts towards a new endeavor, a quieter, more upscale sister to Thomas Avenue Beverage Company, 2900.  Situated directly across the street, 2900 is the perfect compliment to its predecessor.  It offers a more intimate dining alternative with the same artful, innovative menu architecture.  It has been praised as one of the year's Top Ten Restaurants and earned four stars from The Dallas Morning News.  Ten years of hard work continue to bear inventive fruit in Mike Smith's world-class kitchen.

Additionally, when he is not in the kitchen of 2900, Mike spends a considerable amount of time supporting various charitable organizations.  He has used his talents to raise money for the United Way, Victims of Violent Crime, Camp John Marc for terminally ill children and Lou Gehrig's disease.