. "3"^^ . "5"^^ . "6"^^ . . "Come for a classy, intimate dinner and a drink at this hidden resto buried in a strip mall across from a senior's villa (what?). \n\nWe came on a Saturday after driving aimlessly towards east Markham, waiting for fate to lead us to some sort of food-serving establishment that would have an iota of ambiance. On a whim, I turned the car into Smash. \n\n\nAMBIANCE\n\nIntimate and modern. Eschewing normal dangling lights over tables, the designers went for targeted spotlights, either on tables or strategic spots on the walls. Sounds tacky, but successfully creates lit spaces on the table, while allowing for a dim, sexier atmosphere elsewhere. Sexy art! Decent modern art on the walls, not wallfurniture from Wal-Mart (mercifully), adds to the modern feel.\n\nSeating for groups of 6-8, bar stools for cocktails, tables for two, tables for four. Open concept, so no booths that I could see. We were at a table for four. \n\nGood for:\n-a date\n-impressing your Mom\n-classier night out with your friends (that isn't East Beaver Creek. Take that, Richmond Hill!)\n\n\nFOOD\n\nItalian and par the course for a classy resto. Higher on the payscale but the food quality and portions were good enough that I didn't begrudge the price. We ordered mussels for $12, a caprese beet salad for $14 and onion 'chips' for $8, and a lava brownie. \n\nThe mussels were delicious and we sopped up the sauce, which was possibly white wine and tomato-based. I resisted the urge to be a real lady and eat the sauce like soup. Good portion for the price too. \n\nThe caprese salad was decent, I enjoyed the balsamic reduction and the addition of the beets. I've had better buffalo cheese (softer, creamier) but can't complain. \n\nOnion chips, meh, fried onion bits with chipotle mayo. Plus, my arteries, ouchie.\n\nThe lava brownie was tasty and came with a cute side of blueberries, biscotti, and whipped cream. \n\n\nSERVICE\n\nWe were served by four different people at different times, but they all were professional and pleasant. We noted that our servers made great efforts to make us feel welcome. Our food came quickly and our water was refilled repeatedly.\n\n \nLOCATION\n\nGood parking, bad signage. At first glance, Smash Kitchen and Bar's yellow sign says 'place to buy furniture', not 'sexy resto, bring your sexy dates'. Close to Unionville's main drag at Highway 7 and Kennedy, it is Viva bus accessible. \n\n\nOVERALL\n\nCome to Smash for a nice, modern resto experience in fair Markham. It isn't breaking the mold, but it's doing what it's doing right."^^ . . "9"^^ . "2013-01-13T00:00:00"^^ .