During the early '80s, the Smiths managed several restaurants for others before opening their acclaimed Parkway Grill in 1984. Subsequent fine-dining concepts developed by the Smith brothers included the Arroyo Chop House, opened in 1997; and Ducz, a cutting-edge Asian fusion restaurant, which debuted in 2001. Ducz was critically acclaimed but ahead of its time with the Pasadena public. It was replaced the following year with Smitty's Grill, a moderately priced tribute to American comfort food that has become one of the area's most popular restaurants. The first Crocodile Cafe, an innovative casual concept for California cuisine, opened on Pasadena's Lake Avenue in 1987, and in Summer 2009 transitioned to Cafe 140 South. In 2003, the Smith brothers teamed with jazz great Herb Alpert to open Vibrato Grill Jazz...etc., in Bel-Air, which combined contemporary dining concepts with a state-of-the-art performance venue. 2008 saw the debut in Old Pasadena of Spitfire Saloon, which was re-opened as Cheval Blanc Bistro in late 2009.
