The Common — Restaurant in Stratford

Has potential but lacks in execution.

The menu has some really interesting options and shows creativity bringing ideas together. The atmosphere is quaint and the patio is very nice on a summer afternoon. The staff were very friendly and welcoming but, as the evening went on, there was some obvious lack of organization and attention to detail.

We ordered the Num Tung and daily fish special (Mahi Mahi) for mains. The Num Tug was good but lacking the kick from the szechuan peppercorns that we were expecting (and were warned about by the server). The fish was plated well but quite raw with only a sear on the outside. The server was very apologetic and had the fish recooked for us. It was unclear if this was the intended preparation or an error in the kitchen. Either way, this lack of attention to details (in the kitchen or description of the dish) should be unacceptable at this price point. We requested a water refill twice during dinner (from two different servers), neither of whom ever brought more water. We had to ask for the bill twice (again from two different servers) and it took almost 20 minutes to get the bill. It seems as though there was some confusion with the servers about who was responsible for our table. At the time, the patio and dining room were ~2/3 full and the number of servers seemed appropriate for the number of patrons.

We had high expectations of The Common and had heard positive reviews from our host in Stratford. Unfortunately, the restaurant did not live up to its reputation or price point ($180 for 2xdrinks, 2x apps, 2x...

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...

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...