The Common House — Restaurant in Anderson

The evening did not go as well as I had hoped.

We had a reservation for dinner at 7:30pm on a Saturday night for 2. I received numerous emails and texts, reminding me. We arrived at 7:30 but we weren't seated for 20 minutes. If you are going to remind me 4-5 times of my reservation, I should be seated on time.

The bar area is nice but small. The very nice bartender tried to occupy our time waiting for our table by telling us which drinks were the most popular. He told us all about the Paloma which was his favorite. On choosing that one, he then told us how he didn't have enough grapefruit juice to make one. Huh? The drinks he did make, however, were very good. And, he comp'ed them because we had to wait a while for our table.

The restaurant is nice in the back where the dining area is. Tables were full. Lighting was soft which was nice but the jazz music was really loud. The bathroom on that floor was closed unfortunately.

The service was fine. The bartender, the host, the wine person, and the wait person at the table were nice and knew their jobs. The person that stood out was the young lady who brought the food to the table and cleared. She was outstanding at her job and very personable.

We chose the fixed menu for two and one pre-chosen wine menu for one. The lions head mushroom appetizer was very good. The second course of a large pork and pine nut meatball in tomato sauce was very good as well. The pasta had a weird after taste and crunch to my wife, and she loves pasta. The next course was a winter ruffage salad with citrus but they must have run out of the citrus because it had radishes instead. (Second thing they were out of.) It was very wilted and okay. Next course was a venison steak which was well prepared and well presented.

Then came the dessert course. They had three offerings. First we were told about a good bread pudding but they were unfortunately out of that choice. (Number three) Then, we were told of the amazing tiramisu from a family recipe...but they were out of that, too. (Number four.) Our courses were a panna cotta or a chocolate chip cookie with ice cream--with the last one made up last minute because they were running out of everything. We chose the cookie. The cookie was good...it was a chocolate chip cookie--what's not to like? The ice cream was strange...I think it was a habanero vanilla that was gritty and melted. There was nothing like it that resembled ice cream. Even the server said it was really "different."

And, the wine selections. For the most part, the selections were fine for their selected courses. We are assuming that they ran out of the dessert wine pairing (Number Five) because we were offered a beer. When we said we didn't really want beer with our chocolate chip cookie, he went and got two glasses of cognac, set them on the table and left. We aren't cognac drinkers, either.

Overall, it was an okay experience but for $215 for dinner, and given that the restaurant is only open for dinner three nights a week, there should be enough food for your diners, especially those choosing the tasting menu selected by you. Running out of five things is a little over the top. Maybe you shouldn't take walk-ins?

Unfortunately, I would not recommend dining here on a Saturday night or taking a second seating reservation on Thurs or Fri...they won't have...

Crawling out of my Yelp retirement to come give this crew 5 stars all around.

My husband and I found ourselves at Common House last night by chance after a day spent antiquing nearby. While we were made hopeful the food would be delicious based on their tasteful website, we were left speechless following the comprehensive experience that Adam has crafted here. This is the definition of a diamond in the rough, hole in the wall, hidden gem, etc. Even now, I feel I am divulging a magical secret. I'm sure many have traversed this unassuming street in Anderson, not realizing that this quaint corner of the universe is reaching for world-class.

The space itself transports you to another dimension. Illuminated by candlelight the interiors are timeless and memorable with dark rich woods, exposed brick, and stained glass. This Shire-meets-Monastery was a welcome reprieve from the harsh and challenging reality we all face day-to-day. Reportedly, the aesthetic changes frequently, and I am excited to revisit to see the other ways the staff outfit this place in the future.

I think if you come in for dinner expecting anything other than a James Beard or Michelin level chefs tasting menu, you may be disappointed. This is not an ordinary restaurant, and therefore, you will not get an ordinary experience here, either. It is simply extra-ordinary. They do have a beautiful but abbreviated a la carte menu that I hope they expand upon in the future. Undoubtedly, the tasting offering is the crown jewel.

Adam, Luke, Landon, and Erika (and the other incredible staff members we encountered, but did not learn the name of) have carved themselves out as a collective of genuine creatives bringing the people of the upstate a singular and unique cuisine firmly rooted in farm-to-table philosophy. They forage and harvest many ingredients from their own farm in Taccoa Georgia, in addition to sourcing from local farms. Adam also has woven in some of his Italian heritage, frequently offering handmade pastas cooked perfectly al dente. The sommelier Luke is also expert as his craft, and the cocktail menu he and Landon collaborated on was refreshing both literally and conceptually.

We entered as under-dressed stragglers off the street with no reservation and were embraced as old friends. There is just a ton of heart and artfulness to everything that this crew is doing. The fact that this establishment opened in 2022 and the owner/head chef Adam still comes out to introduce himself and speak with every table is remarkable. No detail is left unconsidered, and the entire experience start to finish feels undeniably bespoke.

We have been fortunate enough to have eaten all over the world, particularly my husband who travels internationally for work, and Commoners stands among the upper echelon. He remarked that not only was this easily the best restaurant in the upstate, but also one of the most memorable meals of his lifetime. They are pioneers in their league, and Anderson SC is incredibly lucky to have them.

We look forward to returning soon, and are pleased to attest that these Commoners... are...

So, I read the review for this place. I'm a foodie, and always willing to give a place a try. After my experience at this restaurant I had to go home and cool off for a while before I wrote this review. I am revising my review in light of the owner's response. I was very concerned that the average price listed on the google reviews was about 1/7th of what the prices were when I went in. While that is true, it is also true that Google is reflecting the experience of many lunch menu customers. That algorithm is outside the restaurant's control.

With that said, I went in expecting a $15 meal. I sat down to a menu with no prices. The waiter offered me a sampler plate that cost $75, with $45 for a glass of wine (which I did not order). I asked if there were any entrees. The waiter pointed to a few items in the middle of the page that had a code system with a price. Down below. I found something that cost $15. It was literally three meatballs! The smug waiter came by to ask me, How is your snack? He is the same one that had just told me that these were entrees. I ate those three meatballs and left. I'm sure that there are people for whom money is no concern. And there are places that I choose to eat where the cost is very similar. But when I can go have a feast at Texas de Brazil in Greenville for $55, why in the world would I want their $75 sampler plate with a mere taste of everything? For the right guest, coming in for an elegant dinner, with an honest expectation of spending quite a bit of money, I have to admit that this would be a nice place and a nice experience. I have revised my ratings. I may go back and try the lunch menu.

UPDATE: So, the owner has done nothing but entrench himself/herself. I did revise my review after the owner's first response. I raised my evaluation in every category. I did not review this restaurant on price alone. My waiter, Luke, did not offer me anything except the $75 tasting plate. He did not offer me any wine except the $45 option. He did not say that this was a 'course of wine." When I asked Luke for any entree that was available, he pointed to one. I ordered it, and he comes back to ridicule me by asking, "How is your little snack." I'm done. Never going back. Reverting my review back to original. I am a level 6 Google local guide, and I do not have a history of leaving negative reviews. The Common House, it's smug owner and waiter, deserve and will get a...