Common Culture Specialty Coffee & Brunch — Restaurant in Fairfax

I'd like to preface this by saying that while I've visited this establishment, I did not have their food so can't speak on that. This review is strictly written based on my experience with the poor customer service received by this business and the CEO/Co-Founder, Usman.

We contacted The Commons in mid March to inquire about hosting an event there. A week or so later, a call was scheduled with Usman to discuss the event. We were told that by the end of that week (3-4 days later), we should expect a proposal.

We still hadn't received anything the following Monday and followed up via email. No response. Followed up again with via an assistant's (Victoria) email and was told that Usman was out and we should be receiving a proposal the following Monday at the earliest. By now we're about 2 weeks past the original phone call and approaching 2 weeks past the original promise date for the proposal with ZERO communication from the vendor to let us know it would be late, etc. We reached out again and was told we'd be receiving it by Wednesday. We did not.

Thursday, we received an email saying they were wrapping up the proposal and had a few last things to add. By that Saturday, we reached out and still nothing. At this point, we feel like we have been more than patient with them and understanding that their business just opened a few weeks ago. Sunday morning came around and we had to follow up AGAIN. We were told it was "sent" and they were unsure as to why it was not received or wondered if it went to spam. Mind you, we had had previous communication with them before so their email definitely did not go to spam. Nonetheless, we chose to give them the benefit of the doubt and checked. Still nothing. Honestly - after numerous unmet promise dates/times, we did not actually believe that they sent the proposal.

We're now in mid-April. Sunday night we received a proposal that did not cover what we discussed over the phone. The cost per person and the minimum food/beverage cost was more than discussed. We communicated that with the vendor right away and were told they would look into it. On Monday, we reached out yet AGAIN as we needed to pick a venue/vendor and make our final decision (which we informed them of various times). We were told they were working on it and we would get it "today."

Still...nothing came. Quite honestly we feel like our time and business were not respected. We would've much more respected a business if they just honestly COMMUNICATED that they needed more time instead of pulling our legs and giving us promise times they never intended to keep MULTIPLE times and lied about providing the proposal. Our issue was not so much HOW LONG it took (about 3+ weeks), but more so the lack of integrity behind the business owner's words. Bottom line: don't provide a promise time you cannot deliver (on various occasions).

Needless to say, we did not feel confident with selecting this vendor for our special event. How could we feel remotely confident with everything we would agree upon for the event if they couldn't deliver on sending the proposal? It's unfortunate because we were hoping to support a new local business and despite our negative experience, we can acknowlege that the space is (small, but) beautiful.... but no matter how aesthetically pleasing you make a business, it doesn't excuse poor business practice and...

The interior decor was clean and pleasing. Although the food tasted delicious, it could have been more exceptional. Instead of serving the food in containers, it would have been better if it was presented in proper serving ware. The coffee was good and reasonably priced. However, they could have offered a more comprehensive selection of pastries that complement the coffee.

Update: July 13, 2025

The interior decor was clean and inviting, featuring large windows, wooden tables, comfortable chairs, and charming plant pots on each table. The coffee served was of excellent quality, with a strong flavor and subtle acidity, which I appreciated. The food was freshly made, well-prepared, and offered a delightful balance of healthy and delicious seasoning. However, I noticed that no pastries were available when we visited in the morning, which was disappointing. Overall, it was a wonderful experience enjoying breakfast and coffee at this lovely café.

There are a few areas for improvement that could enhance the experience, such as adding more tablets for ordering and relocating the menu screens above the counter for easier access, rather than having them on the side. These small changes could make a positive difference for...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting The Commons Fooderie, and it was a great experience from start to finish.

Ambiance: The moment you step inside, the warm and inviting ambiance captivates you. The decor is a perfect blend of modern and rustic elements, creating a comfortable space that encourages both relaxation and productivity. Whether you're meeting friends, working remotely, or simply enjoying some alone time, The Commons Fooderie caters to all.

Service: The staff at The Commons Fooderie deserves commendation for their exceptional service. Attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, they make you feel like a welcomed guest. The ordering process is efficient, and your orders are delivered with a smile. It's evident that customer satisfaction is a top priority.

Food: The menu is has many options. From artisanal coffees and teas to delectable pastries and gourmet sandwiches.

Must-Try: A classic toasted bagel and their perfect coffee!! And for lunch their bistro sandwich. This place has the best crispy yet soft...