The idea behind the Smallman Galley is a neat one…Give chefs a space to work at a low cost so they have a chance to see if their ideas and skills work before making the huge investment of opening a restaurant of their own. The restaurant has 4 kitchens, a bar, the seating and bus staff while the chefs bring the ideas and hire their cooking staff. You order and pay each “restaurant” independently and then you get a text when the food is ready. All seating is communal.
It’s in the Strip District, and it’s easy to find.
Our first visit was on a Saturday during the Memorial day weekend so it was not terribly busy. We ate from Provision Pgh and the Carrot Cafe. I hate to say it but we walked away rather unimpressed with both. Mary Catherine had a grilled broccoli rabe and cheddar from Carrot Cafe and I had the Banh Mi from Provision Pgh which were both good but everything else we had was a bit confused. It seems that pureed peas are the thing right now which is ok but pureed peas with lentils, aioli, fries and goat cheese…? A bit much going on in one plate. We both decided it was like “college” food and probably better if you had already had one too many.
That being said, there are two other places we have yet to try and we didn’t try dessert at all so we’ll be back to try it again for sure.