Southdale Center in Edina is about to add its most upscale dining option yet. Smithson, a new steakhouse and seafood restaurant, opens this October in a newly built exterior space just north of Macy's. For Twin Cities diners who love a great night out, this one is worth putting on the calendar.
Who Is Behind Smithson
Smithson comes from Randy and Sharon Stanley, the restaurateurs behind Baldamar at Rosedale Center and 6Smith in Wayzata. Their track record in the Twin Cities dining scene runs deep, and Smithson becomes the third steakhouse in their group.
The leadership team is stacked. Executive chef Chris Dmochowski brings more than 25 years in the industry, including nearly a decade running the kitchen at CoV in Wayzata and a recent run opening Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar at Canterbury Park. General manager Adam Rosenkrantz carries 15 years of leadership experience, and Michael Symons steps up as chief operating officer overseeing all three of the Stanleys' steakhouses.
What to Expect on the Menu and Inside
Smithson will seat roughly 225 guests in a contemporary space designed by Minneapolis-based Shea. Think grand 13-foot entrance doors, a Carrara marble-topped bar, bronze accents, leather paneling, and rift-cut white oak.
The menu leans into aged prime and Wagyu beef, premium seafood, and seasonal cuisine. It positions Smithson as a true special-occasion destination in the west metro.
Why Southdale's Comeback Matters for the Twin Cities
Here's the bigger picture. Smithson will be the only upscale restaurant inside Southdale, joining spots like Cheesecake Factory and Puttshack. That gap in the market is exactly why this opening turns heads.
It's also part of a 400 million dollar reinvention that Simon Property Group has poured into Southdale, prioritizing a luxury wing, mixed-use offerings, and more experiential draws. Simon leadership has pointed to Southdale tenants outperforming the same brands at other malls, a sign the strategy is working.
For locals, a revitalized mall is more than a shopping update. Stronger anchor destinations tend to lift nearby foot traffic, support surrounding businesses, and keep an established retail corridor competitive. When a landmark like Southdale reinvents itself, it sends a positive signal about the long-term health of the surrounding Edina area.
Whether you are booking a table for date night or simply watching the Twin Cities dining scene evolve, Smithson is a sign of where Edina is headed.
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