SWRG Smith & Wollensky Restr Grp (MM)

Smith & Wollensky Houston to Open Mid-January 10th in Family of Famed Steak Houses to Offer Houstonians Best in Food, Wine and Service NEW YORK, Dec. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group, Inc. today announced that its new Houston restaurant, located on Westheimer Road in the Galleria area, will open for business on January 19, 2004. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020904/SWRGLOGO ) Smith & Wollensky Houston will feature the prime steaks, extensive wine selection, stunning decor and exceptional service for which each Smith & Wollensky is famous. The 14,000 square foot site, which was formerly home to Anthony's Restaurant, will have approximately 400 seats on two levels, including a large balcony with outdoor seating and an indoor/outdoor bar. The new Houston restaurant offers the traditional Smith & Wollensky menu, including dry-aged steaks and desserts prepared in-house by award winning pastry chefs. Menu highlights include Bone-in Kansas City Cut, Prime Rib, 16 oz. Filet Mignon, Live Maine Lobster weighing in at two to five pounds, Mustard Crusted Tuna and other seafood, Creamed Spinach and Wollensky's Famous Split Pea Soup. The restaurant will also feature a bar menu with lighter fare and lower price points. "We are very excited to be opening a Smith & Wollensky in Houston, a city known for its high standards and discriminating taste for quality beef and fine cuisine," said Alan Stillman, Chairman and CEO of Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group. "Once occupied by the famous old Confederate House, then by Anthony's, this location is steak central. Houstonians not only know a good steak, they expect one and demand it. We won't be letting them down." To complement the outstanding food, Smith & Wollensky will offer its Great American Wine List, which consists exclusively of 600 of the finest wines produced in the United States, including selections from Robert Mondavi, Harlan, Hanzell, and Jordan. The wine list is highlighted by a collection of "Undiscovered Gems" from states not usually associated with wine production, as well as fifty 1997 California Cabernets that have been described by wine experts as California's "Vintage of the Century." General Manager Greg Francis and Executive Chef Jason Miller will lead the restaurant. Chef Miller is an eight-year veteran of steak houses and has worked at Smith & Wollensky restaurants in Miami and Philadelphia, as well as at Park Avenue Cafe in New York and Chicago. "Smith & Wollensky is famous for its dry-aging process," said Chef Miller. "We are the only national company that dry-ages and butchers USDA Prime Beef in-house in every single one of our locations and we are quite proud of that fact. In addition to our world famous steaks, we also serve items such as the Crackling Pork Shank, which was named USA Today's Dish of the Year in 1997." In addition to its outstanding food and wine, Smith & Wollensky Houston will also offer a truly unique dining atmosphere. Designed by Haverson Architecture and Design of Greenwich, Connecticut, the Highland Village restaurant will feature the distinctive Smith & Wollensky decor of painted forest green wood trim on white with latticework flourishes. Like all other Smith & Wollensky restaurants, the Houston establishment will also have a unique Americana decor that consists of American folk art, hand-selected by Alan Stillman. The two-story space is divided into intimate dining areas with polished wood floors and brass trim, including balcony dining, "Wine Room" dining, and a temperature-controlled, glass-enclosed "Kitchen Table," one of the signature features of all Smith & Wollensky's. This private dining room, located in the main kitchen, gives up to 12 guests a chance to dine in the middle of all the action. In total, the restaurant has seven dining rooms, five of which can be reserved for private affairs of 10 to 200 guests. Smith & Wollensky Houston will be open for dinner seven days a week from 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM. Beginning in late March, the restaurant will also open for lunch at 11:30 AM. For reservations, please call 713-621-7555. About Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group: The Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group develops, owns and operates high- end, high-volume restaurants in major cities across the United States. The original Smith & Wollensky, a traditional New York steakhouse, opened in 1977 and is currently the largest-grossing a la carte restaurant in the country. Since its inception, the company has grown to include 16 restaurants, including Smith & Wollensky in New York, Miami Beach, Chicago, New Orleans, Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Columbus, Dallas, Houston (January 2004), and Boston (June 2004). SWRG also operates seven other restaurants in New York and Chicago including Cite, Maloney & Porcelli, Manhattan Ocean Club, Mrs. Park's Tavern, ONEc.p.s., Park Avenue Cafe and The Post House. This news release contains forward-looking statements. Such forward- looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or qualified and certain of which are discussed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by or underlying the forward-looking statements. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020904/SWRGLOGODATASOURCE: Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group CONTACT: Houston Contact - Karen Henry of Karen Henry & Associates, +1- 713-599-1271, ; or National Contact - David Shein of RFBinder Partners, office: +1-212-994-7514, mobile: +1-917-613-8881, or , for Smith & Wollensky

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