Smith House launched for breakfast and lunch this month in the Olde Marco Village on the northern tip of Marco Island. The new restaurant is the latest from the Tony Smith family, which operated the concessions and cafe for decades at Collier County’s Tigertail Beach Park on Marco. 

The extensive menu greatly expands upon the comfort food items offered at the Smiths’ former beach cafe. Smith House brought in Executive Chef Patrick McGrath, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, to kick it up a notch. The fresh menu builds upon the Smith’s popular burgers, dogs and veggie wraps with all breads and pastries freshly baked in house. Dinner service will be added in December, Chef McGrath said. 

Smith House’s vegetarian-vegan options and availability of gluten-free bread will win points with the health-conscious and those in the Blue Zone. McGrath even created a Collard Green “Pastrami” melt that features pastrami–spiced braised collard greens with coleslaw, Swiss cheese and hot cherry pepper dressing on toasted house–made rye bread. Of course, for those desiring something a little meatier, Smith House has a real Reuben, too, with house-made pastrami and sauerkraut. 

Other entrees include grass-fed burgers, coconut shrimp, beer-battered fish and chips, chicken or tuna salad croissants and other hand-helds. The menu also has soup, salads and healthy lighter fare such as acai bowls and avocado toast. Brunch selections feature house specials such as shrimp and grits, huevos rancheros and breakfast sandwiches. Breakfast fare includes omelets, Benedicts, skillets, scrambles and griddle favorites such as pancakes, French toast and Belgian waffles. 

Smith House is at home in the charming space of the former Petit Soleil café at the quaint Shops of Olde Marco. Chef Denis Meurgue and family continues to operate Bistro Soleil nearby in the Olde Marco Island Inn & Suites, but they wish the Smiths well in setting up shop in the Petit Soleil space they operated in since 2013. 

Smith House, 210 Royal Palm Drive, is open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily for breakfast and lunch for now. For more information call 239-389-8414 or go to facebook.com/SmithHouseMarcoIsland.