The Common

Where to begin…let’s start with the fact that Cassandre went above and beyond. I had planned my birthday weekend celebration well over a month ago, theatre and dinner reservations…the dining establishment canceled last minute cause they decided to close and sell (hard to believe this was a last minute decision, regardless it left many diners scrambling) - anyway that’s a whole other story. Cassandre to the rescue!! We really wanted to have dinner in Stratford as we are both from out of town. The Common staff went above and beyond to accommodate my friend and I. They were able to find space for us into their cosy and very cool restaurant, and were extremely kind and empathetic to our predicament. I cannot thank the whole staff for rescuing our night and capping off a wonderful birthday weekend.

Now the food. Delicious, tantalizing, mouth watering a veritable symphony in our mouths…..I had the steak and my friend had the duck leg….omg. Amazing. Dessert was crème brûlée for my friend and for me a pear cake. We were blown away by the food. Like Stratford, do you know what an incredible gem this place is?!!! The atmosphere is cool and dining space is beautifully decorated!!

From the bottom of my heart I want to thank every one of the staff that we had the good fortune to meet and chat with. I’m not sure you understand how much of a difference you made for me today, it I genuinely cannot thank you enough.

Highly recommend!!!

The quality of the food did not match the price point. We ordered the pickerel special ($40) and Khao Soi Gai ($35), and for that cost would expect something excellent. However it was very simple, a seared piece of fish with under seasoned steamed vegetables and (admittedly tasty) mashed potatoes. The chicken curry was not bad, but we were really hoping for something fantastic.
The service was also fine, which again is quite below expectations for this level of restaurant.
Cocktails and overall atmosphere of the space were very nice

Been to The Common 4 times over the past 2 years. The consistency at a high level is as remarkable as it is rare. Times visited have varied, as have staff engaged. Have seen every dynamic in those visits. Doesn’t matter, they run a tight ship front of house and outstanding quality and skills back of house.

Whether a terrific cocktail, unique appetizer or creative main, the food and beverage is precise and on point. Staff is friendly, attentive, and professional, strikingly different than other establishments who are uneven.

Indoor dining is great, sometimes with a live band, which is a nice touch, and the patio is truly magical in ambience, comfort and perfect playlist music.

Some comments say pricey, not for the service and quality, frankly it is right on the mark. Worthy of a Michelin star? Darn close IMO, but with that comes a delta in customer demands that may not be worth it to be honest.

The Common sits in a rarified space - so good to surprise and delight, but not pretentious or underperforming. It is hard to compare it, which tells me Tim and the crew know what’s what and nail it while Cass and staff perform so well that you leave feeling as you should: pleased, satisfied with just a titch of special.

The Common punches above its weight class and may, in fact, be misnamed - it is uncommon - a welcome experience that is hard to find and harder to replicate.

Highly recommend!

I had my wedding reception at The Common and it was perfect. The team there had so many great suggestions for food, but were always willing to do anything special or specific we wanted. They were happy to do whatever decor we wanted, but they have such an incredible vibe and atmosphere already we didn't need anything else. They have a beautiful outdoor patio, perfect for cocktails on a sunny September evening (or any other time as they have shade and heaters available). The food was amazing and so were the drinks. Everyone on staff (wait-staff, chef, bartender, managers) all know excellent service. You certainly pay the high-end service price, so if that's what you're looking for then The Common is the place to be. A treat for all of our guests.

This is a new place for us and it was quite lovely. Great service, not too loud, and we enjoyed everything!

Love the atmosphere and the food was delightful. Staff was friendly and very attentive. Great experience.

I highly recommend this restaurant. The food was excellent. The drinks are excellent and the service is great too. Many delicious vegan options (except for dessert). We sat on the patio on a beautiful evening. The inside of the restaurant has a lot of character. The mushroom main dish was absolutely delicious. The cocktails were also delicious and creative. They were also mindful of time so we could get to the theatre. The non plant based eaters in my group also loved their food.