Commons Local Eating House, The

6.8 Recommended

Food  5      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  6     

I came here with high expectations and was a little let down. The service was fine and the cafe has a really pleasant atmosphere and setting. The wood fire and garden is a nice touch. The food, however, was a bit of a disappointment. The spinach and ricotta ravioli was very nice but a bit too oily. My toasted sandwich was the real problem however. It wasn't even toasted! The only thing on it which appeared to have been heated was the cheese because it was melted.

The tomatoes were still raw and cold and so was the bread, not even remotely toasted, still completely soft. And the bread wasn't exactly the best to use for toasted sandwiches anyway. The coffee, despite excellent reviews from other sources was good but not spectacular. Value for money is average. I might go back, but not for the lunch menu for sure!

Jul 10, 2010 

5.8 Average

Food  4      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  5     

The venue is lovely looking and our waiter was hard working and friendly. But watch out! these guys made 3 mistakes in my book. If you buy a tequila, you are paying $14 for a shot and they refused point blank to give us a piece of lemon because they (the barman/manager) said we 'don't need it'. I thought the customer could choose, isn't that the whole point of going out? I had to ask five times because I couldn't believe they wouldn't give me the piece of lemon and then I had to insist before they gave it to me.

Then some lady (apparently a waitress) came up to us in the downstairs bar just after we had paid our $28 for 2 tequila shots and asked us if we had seats. We had no idea what she was getting at, but apparently you are not allowed to stand up in the bar. If you don't have a seat, you need to leave, she told us. This was embarrassing for us as there is no signage to indicate this and made us feel like we were unwelcome.

They are charging a surcharge for group bookings. This is something we cannot allow to creep into restaurants. They argue groups make more work, but they usually also leave bigger tips and I have waited tables for enough years to know that groups are no big inconvenience. It's just a new way of squeezing more money out of us!

And the food is really quite average for the price. I think you are just paying for the hype in this place and the fact that it's across from Pocket Bar. I don't recommend it!

Jun 27, 2010 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

Had satdy bfast, really loved the omelette, love the coffee (genovese), love the decor. Value for money, will be back for dinner and lunch. Well done guys.

May 17, 2010 

5 Average

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  1      Value  5     

I must say the set up is very rustic and tastefully decorated. And as a group we really enjoyed having our pre drinks. Everything was very pleasant until the time came to dine.

8:15 We sat at our reserved tables. 8:30 I asked the waiter if we could see the menus. 8:45 I seeked, found and asked the waiter for our orders to be taken.
as a group everybody ordered the set menu to make things easy. 9:40 we received our first course antipasto sharing plates. So it took 1 hour 30 minutes to get an antipasto plate on our table. No explanation, no apology no attendance.
I guess one of the waiters' reply to our question explained the situation. 'Are you under staffed?' 'Yes. like always.'

May 17, 2010 

6.8 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  5      Value  8     

We had very much been looking forward to trying the Commons. We went last night. The venue has a great feel to it, it was certainly very busy for a Wednesday night. I like the common tables and the courtyard area. Although a couple of people in my group said they were uncomfortable on the seats, it didn't bother me personally.

The food is simple, not much choice which I think is good. For entree we had the duck liver pate and the zucchini flowers. Both dishes were pretty good. For main I had the snapper. I have to say I was quite disappointed with the snapper. It looked fantastic (it was in a broth), however, the actual fish was overcooked and quite dry.

For dessert I had pecan tart which was nice. Our table also had a couple of bottles of wine, which were all good. The service was a bit of a let down. Although the wait staff that were serving our table were friendly and polite, there were just not enough staff working and we were constantly waiting to order wine, order food, for extra glasses, water, missing drinks, etc.

Overall, we had a pleasant night. The food, although not fantastic, is very well priced. I would go to the Commons again for a simple, well priced meal in a nice atmosphere.

Mar 25, 2010 

7.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  9     

The name certainly gives some clues as to the philosophy behind this establishment: The Commons is about simple local produce in simple surroundings. Think common tables, or rather, picnic benches. The benches are of the type that require quite skillful navigating in and out of, not for the long legged, larger or, perhaps, slightly inebriated customer.

The room maintains some of the original building features and screams ‘modern farm’, perhaps, a little too loudly, inclusive of hay stacks and carefully arranged farm paraphernalia scattered in the middle of the dining room.

The menu is very compact (five entrees, five mains) and presented on a chalkboard that keeps getting moved around the room. Entrees are predominantly cold and based around traditional antipasti: think prosciutto with melon, marinated artichokes, olives, buffalo mozzarella. All fresh and fragrant, all served with an abundance of sourdough bread. A ‘tomato terrine’ is a surprising take on a classic, using all vegetables (including tomato as the casing) to produce a refreshing starter. Slightly under-seasoned.

Mains too are simple and both mozzarella and proscuitto feature again. Home made pasta filled with kale and ricotta is plentiful, hearty and very satisfying. The roasted chicken (with mozzarella and prosciutto) comes with potatoes and green beans, again hearty, simple and good.

The wine list is also rather succinct yet interesting: good choice by the glass with a big focus on regional NSW wines. The Philip Shaw viognier from Orange is fantastic.
Overall, the Commons provides good value and quality simple food in slightly quirky surroundings. Go for a casual lunch or with a group of friends before going out, not recommended for intimate dinner dates!

Highlight: Simple, good quality food. Lowlight: Very uncomfortable seating. Value for money: Great.

Mar 13, 2010