Today we’d like to introduce you to Benjamin Smith
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Benjamin Smith is the Director of Hospitality for Urbanspace’s Hospitality arm of the company. Born out of the expansion of the company’s first (of many) hospitality concepts, Codependent Cocktails and Coffee is located in the heart of Downtown Austin, Texas.
Ben is a 22-year hospitality veteran who has spent time at some of the finest establishments in the country. Born in Northern California and cutting his teeth in San Francisco, where he spent most of his career before moving to Austin. Working at Michelin Starred Restaurants and Top 50 Bars in the World. Places like Gary Danko & 15 Romolo. This, while also consulting for nearly 3 dozen bars and restaurants Globally. Ben now brings that experience and passion to Urbanspace Hospitality,
He is incredibly excited about Urbanspace Hospitality’s newest endeavors, including Tómalo Grill. A modern Mexican grill that showcases the vibrant flavors and traditions of Mexican cuisine, Tómalo Grill combines bold culinary artistry with an inviting ambiance. Located in the heart of Austin, the restaurant offers a dynamic multi-level dining experience, featuring two bars, two patios, a lounge, and a private dining room. With a thoughtfully designed interior blending contemporary style with rustic charm, Tómalo Grill is poised to become a neighborhood favorite for lively celebrations and memorable meals alike.
Ben takes great pride in sharing his passion and expertise through mentorship, dedicating himself to educating and inspiring the next generation of hospitality professionals. He is committed to fostering young talent who share his enthusiasm for the industry. With Urbanspace Hospitality, Ben looks forward to continuing this mission, contributing to the development of some of Austin’s (and beyond) finest bars and restaurants.
Ben resides in Round Rock with his wife, Ana Paula, their two children, Sophia and Jason, and their two beloved dogs, Maya and Zoe. When he’s not out on the golf course, he enjoys quality time with his family and embarking on road trips to explore new destinations.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s never a smooth road in the hospitality industry. Being in the industry for 23 years I have definitely had my fair share of ups and downs. I’ve also been extremely fortunate in having the pleasure to work alongside extremely talented bar/restaurant groups as well as some of the best of the best in the industry.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Urbanspace Hospitality is a new generation of Austin hospitality concepts from Urbanspace, drawing upon our extensive local knowledge and passion for living the Austin urban lifestyle. Emerging from our desire to cultivate a full suite of lifestyle experiences, Urbanspace Hospitality was founded to create high-design hospitality concepts that serve as exceptional ground-floor experiences for our clientele.
I’m proud of how we are consistently and continuously community first.
I’m always impressed by our thought and care for the constant development and growth of our employees.
I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished with our current ventures, Codependent and Tómalo Grill. Equally, I’m deeply grateful and excited to share our upcoming concepts with the Austin community in the very near future.
How do you think about luck?
This industry is all about connections—the people you meet along the way and the genuine, meaningful relationships you build. As I’ve said before, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to meet and work with some truly exceptional leaders. But I also believe you create your own luck. It’s the result of hard work and dedication. When you put in the effort, life has a way of putting you exactly where you’re meant to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://urbanspacehospitality.com/
- Instagram: @codependentatx. @tomaloatx
Image Credits
Photo credits to Ben Porter, Jessica Attie and Richard Carteel
