This bar has the coolest decor of all the bars in new haven. I really like the vibe here and everyone is friendly. The drinks are a bit on the pricier side though. A friend of mine got a glass of wine and it was $12. Another friend got the prosecco with a sugar cube and plum bitters and it was really delicious. I think the style and vibe is well worth visiting this bar. read more

Ordinary - Gin and tonic - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Literally my favorite bar. Top marks across the board. A little pricey but they don't skimp and the quality makes it worth the price. Shoutout to the bartenders Moi and Dave; they are amazing! read more

Ordinary - Finished a 1/2 yard of beer $8 at happy hour. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

My girlfriend and I frequent Ordinary and is by far our favorite bar in New Haven, perhaps the world. Aesthetically speaking, there is a lot of old-time charm in both the bar portion of Ordinary and the backroom, where one can get served either some of the most delicious and intriguing cocktails around, or try some of the food offerings coming from a small, but fantastic kitchen. Drinks: You can go for the classics, menu drinks that are often spins on classics or classic pairings, a good rotating beer list, or, never be afraid to ask your bartender what they can come up for you (provided you let them know what you tend to enjoy). They often have rotating special cocktails that they come up with in-house, which are worth a try and can be modified to fit an individual's taste if required. Food: Food at a bar like this should be satisfying and give me the urge to want another cocktail. I am a big fan of the grilled cheeses, especially with brisket and their pickled vegetables. Keep an eye out for food specials, which change often and are always excellent. Moy, Andy, Dave, and the rest of the Ordinary staff have always been some of the coolest people to serve you a drink and a good bite to eat. Cheers guys. read more

Pros: great atmosphere and environment, they pay for parking if you park in the garage, food comes fast, service is alright Cons: expensive, paid $10 for a Moscow mule, food portions are literally so small, they rush you out because they have 9 tables TOTAL, bar is so small you have to squeeze past people, music is way too loud to talk Overall: was cool to say we went but we ended up leaving and grabbing more food elsewhere because the portions were so tiny. Disappointed I paid $20 mostly for a drink because we went elsewhere to eat Also asked if I could have cranberry in my moscow mule the answer was no. Asked for lettuce on my burger the answer was also no. read more

So I came in to get a pretty basic titos and Sprite. The bartender let me know he was going to keep the concept, but take it to the next level...HE DID NOT DISAPPOINT! The drink was on point! He recommended to start with the sliders. I saw a pic on the website, so I agreed. 2 sliders came out and DAMN! 100% the BEST I have ever had! I mean to the point where I LITERSLLY thanked the chef (Skyler)! For only $2 each, COME ON!! Honestly, 2 sliders hit the spot, but because Skyler did such an amazing job, I just ordered 3 more to go! And one more of those awesome drinks while I wait! I will DEFINITELY be back!! read more

A good eating alone experience. I ordered the grilled cheese with beef and it tastes good. Though it is unavoidably Lind of greasy with the toast. The atmosphere is great and the waiters offer good service. read more

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Nice comfortable atmosphere, sat at the bar for a couple of drinks and the service was great, bartender was very helpful and gave me a sheet of local places to try while in town. read more

The steakhouse was perfectly cooked! Juice and tender.... My wife and I were speechless about it. Definitely coming back! read more

Decor is terrible. Seems confused. Stuffed animals in a fireplace. Sideways chairs on the wall to make people "think" as if it has meaning. There's barely any food. Mostly cheese, yet it's advertised like a restaurant. The tomato soup that came with my grilled cheese was just a McDonald's ketchup cup. Don't believe reviews. This is barely a restaurant. Nice looking bar however, descent drinks. read more

Very dimly-lit place. Seemed like a good atmosphere. They have half-price wine on Tuesday nights, and it got pretty busy - so it was nice to have so many people there. We still managed to find a table in the back area and the server was really fast. Didn't order any food, so I can't comment on that. The bartender at the front was pretty pretentious. Overall, it seemed average, which according to their name is what they are going for. read more

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What do you get when you combine two brothers with a passion for cheese and quality cuisine, a man with a passion for craft beer, and a man with a passion for service and all of the above?? Oh just the best friggin bar in all of New Haven!! And I'm not saying that because I'm a bit biased (ahem, Yelp Duke of Caseus over here!), but because it's FACT and I know these guys set such high standards not just for themselves, but for all their patrons in which they make feel like family. Ordinary isn't your run-of-the-mill watering hole, it's a classy establishment that will set new standards in a small city that I jokingly give the motto "New Haven: Where dreams go to die" due to the high turnover and numerous empty storefronts speckled throughout the downtown streets. Located right next to Shake Shack in the old Michter's space, there is a rich, storied history to this location and block in general. For you history lovers out there, check out the history link on their website which is also on display on the walls of the hallway to the bathrooms. Clearly the locals who run Ordinary love their city and its significance in history, and that love is what fuels the fire to make this place so awesome. So they aren't officially opened yet (official opening in a week or so), but I went there last night as part of their soft opening period and had a fantastic time. There's an overall old fashion, speakeasy décor and the ornate woodwork trimmings can be found throughout the bar. A friend I was with said the interior was very similar to Michter's, which I didn't have the pleasure of experiencing, but the clean, dark brown wood décor suits the prohibition style drink making theme perfectly. We sat in the back room with its walls lined with plush red leather couches, a scary gargoyle statue in the upper corner, and a sealed fireplace with a stuffed moose head. Tim, owner and manager, gave me a little fun fact when I asked about the moose, which was shot in the early 1900s by the grandfather of the original Richter's founder. I peeked in to the bar area and every seat was filled with jovial boozers conversing and being entertained by the mixologist talent behind the bar. If it's filled late on a sleepy Sunday evening during their soft opening, I imagine it's going to be tough to snag a seat on a weekend when they are in full bloom. Even the chandeliers hanging from the high ceilings were restored to keep the historical ambiance in tact. They've done an excellent job at taking a snap shot of the 1920s and creating an environment where walking through the front doors time warps you to a place where life was less complicated. You won't find a touchscreen DJ booth in this classy joint. Currently there's a small list of 5 cocktails to choose from, the first two being whiskey based and right up my brown-liquids-loving alley. I ordered an Old Fashioned and Manhattan, both very reasonably priced and mixed very well. The Old Fashioned comes with muddled cherry and blood orange, and while I don't normally like any fruit muddled in my OFs this one was done well. I thoroughly enjoyed the brown/purple opaqueness and flavors of my drink. The Manhattan was a little light for my tastes, but overall it was a well-crafted cocktail and was served in this great old school era martini glass. My wife got the mezcal based drink with orange-flavored mixers and some bubbly, which we all found to be a bit dry for our tastes. They have a wide selection of craft beers, and I tried the New England 668, a 9% Belgian style ale, and a lager that I forget the name of. Served in a thin, tall glass, it was a very drinkable lager that I polished off with ease. We also had the pleasure of sampling some charcuterie, cheese and two pies from the Six Pence Pie Co. The prosciutto was excellent and well balanced, not too fatty or oily and had the perfect texture and chewiness that only comes from a expertly cured piece of pig. The cheese was fantastic as well, gouda and a cow's milk comte. No surprise at how good it was being that it's the Caseus guys here. The pies really impressed me, being that I'm not much of a pie guy. A flaky yet moist crust encapsulates the delicious ground beef and gravy filling. Very savory and comforting. My friends really liked the vegetarian Little Boy Blue pie (Spinach, Artichoke with Bleu Cheese Béchamel) as well. Let me close with a quote from one of the owner's, which I found in an article. This really sums up what they're going for here and there's zero doubt this place will be a success and a long-standing establishment in the downtown New Haven bar scene. "The aim is to be accessible," Jason said. He said he wants the bar to feel the same for a guy in jeans and a T-shirt, or a guy in a tuxedo--like an ordinary place. read more

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Ordinary has rapidly become my go-to bar for just about any occasion. I remember stopping in a day or two after they opened (lured by the connection with my long-time favorite, Caseus) and being blown away by the incredible wood decor, the bartenders' attention to detail and creativity in making their specialty cocktails, and the friendly, low-key vibe. Since then, everything's only gotten better. They've increased the scope of their cocktail and draft beer menu, cultivated an amazing selection of food and bar snacks, and still retained that awesome atmosphere that made them so appealing in the first place. There's always a small pang of disappointment when one of my favorites disappears from the rotating cocktail menu (bring back the William, I Won't Tell? please?) but it's so much fun to try out the new selections that it barely matters. Their grilled cheese sandwiches, beer cheese, meat pies, or homemade chocolate chip cookies make a perfect accompaniment and are good enough to warrant going for the food alone. You can sit at the bar and just appreciate the beautiful wooden paneling and the skill of the bartenders, or relax with friends in the equally stylish back room and be taken care of by their great servers. It's pretty much a win-win proposition. I've also been to Ordinary for several large (15-20 people) parties and have never had even the slightest inconvenience ordering/receiving drinks and food. That level of service is beyond amazing for a relatively small bar, yet hardly a surprise given how great this place is. read more

Judging by how packed this place is every time I wander in, this is apparently the best bar ever. I'm not entirely sure what seems to bring all the boys to the yard, but SOMEthing is going on. Maybe they're lacing the drinks with crack? The ambiance is roughly the same as it was with Richter's, though it seems to accentuate the fanciness a bit more. Probably because they make the waitstaff wear these very fetching black aprons. The beer selection is limited, but decent. I also heard they won't serve shots which is... weird. But I don't have a strong feeling about. I haven't really eaten here, but they do charge like 3.50 for a glass of milk and a cookie. Cute, but... I don't know. I'm not THAT stoned. It's a pretty cool bar and the waitstaff is solid and while the drinks are a little pricey, it's not outrageous. It's just a little on the crowded side for my own liking. I am constantly standing around, jammed up against the wall, people constantly going back and forth. It's the sort of place where you get bumped into quite a bit. I don't know. Maybe I'm missing something. Maybe the meat pies will knock your socks off so hard you'll need to find a goddamn sock depot just to get it together. Maybe it's just a good place to meet attractive, like-minded people who are similarly well-dressed. But count me as someone who, having been to Ordinary a few times, has totally retained his socks. read more

This was a great bar but not the most terrific restaurant. Just FYI if you're from out of town like us and looking for a good dinner. The food was tasty! But there were very few options. The menu boasts chicken, brisket, and pork ... along with daily tacos ... but of those only pork was available for the night. They informed us of this as soon as we sat down, which was great, but left us with the only option of really eating cheese or pork. The drinks were great - the menu was extensive and rotating. The ambience to have a nice old fashioned and sit by the fire was wonderful. Very collegiate and exactly what I would expect from a bar just steps away from Yale's campus. Go there for drinks and you won't be disappointed. Go there for dinner, and you might be left wanting slightly more. We got the spinach salad (tasty but just spinach with a vinaigrette dressing, raw onions, and a few crumbles of hard boiled egg....not something you can't make at home, but very fresh), the Mac and cheese (they say it rotates daily, but it was really just a traditional noodles with some cheesy cream sauce - really good but kind of bland. Great crunchy texture on top), and the grilled cheese sandwich (super cheesy, but it says it comes with a side of tomato soup for dipping and it's really served in the size of one of those paper ketchup containers). Overall, would recommend highly for drinks, but food was just okay and menu was extremely limited. read more

If you want a seemingly triple-shot, exquisitely crafted cocktail at baseline, go to Ordinary. Their drinks are STRONG--perfect for when you're looking for a good booze-to-price ratio or can't stand your party (I kid). The venue itself throws a rather gothic, eclectic vibe, kind of like a Victorian hunting lodge turned speakeasy. It seems to be working, as Ordinary's always bustling at night on weekends. Now, the food--I wouldn't recommend Ordinary for a meal. I came here for lunch once with a large party, and we all left rather unimpressed. Overall: extraordinary drinks, ordinary food read more

Ordinary - Old-fashioned -- super strong! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

We stop by this little bar before the concert. We ordered draft beer, wine, with mac cheese---the bartender recommended mac cheese because we are not into spicy food. But if you are spicy food eater, I think grilled cheese may be a better choice. I prefer mac cheese without any topping or stuffing---it is already very good indeed! read more

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On our way back from Brooklyn we stopped at this little gem and I'm so Glad we did. We sat at the bar and were instantly greeted by the wonderful Moises. They had a couple of drink and snack specials for their happy hour. My drink was made so perfectly that even though it was supposed to be a quick stop... I quickly consumed two! There were so many syrups and shrubs at the bar I was asking Moises about them. He was so passionate, and knowledgeable answering my questions. He let me try some of his favorites which I really appreciated. We also got a kale salad and a chicken sandwich, sounds basic but they were anything but "ordinary". They both really hit the spot and were absolutely delicious. Its pretty exciting that this was just a quick stop but such a memorable one. The only disappointing thing is that its 2 1/2 hours away from home! I can't wait for my next NY trip just so I can stop here again. Moises, keep your passion where it's at, you are succeeding! -Awesome mixologist -Detailed and delicious drinks -Great list of draft brews -Street parking -Right in the heart of Yale -Tasty bar snacks - The staff loves their jobs, you can feel it and taste it! read more

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I don't get it; why couldn't this place have been executed better? It had the potential to be a cool bar that claims to have quality meat and cheese. Maybe I am a charcuterie snob, but I was really disappointed with the lack of oomph in the board we ordered one Friday night. I mean, I could have eaten this entire board in 10 seconds by myself, let alone share it with another person. For $12 dollars, I also expected the presentation to be a little nicer, not mustard served in a tiny paper cup, reminding me of the cups they offer you at McDonald's for your ketchup. It seems like they had a pretty good list of cocktails, but on this particular night, we decided to stick to beers. They have a relatively small craft beer list and it seems to be a bit overpriced as well. Honestly, I would rather go to Cask Republic where the beer list is extensive and they aren't trying to be anything that they're not. Our waitress didn't have much of a personality and was a bit boring. I guess the name suits the experience, just ordinary. I don't think we will be returning to Ordinary again as there are just so many better places in New Haven that connect with their identity. read more

NIce Staff, great selection of local micro brews. But they ran out of PIES and FOIE GRAS on a friday night at 9pm! read more

On a recent adventure to New Haven, we fell upon this awesome bar. As others have commented, I am hesitant to write a rave as I want to continue to enjoy this beautiful bar without the masses but word is it is a packed on the weekends, so the secret is out. This "speak easyesque" wooden bar is beautiful and the cocktails are just as delicious. The gin gimlet was phenomenal - chilled to perfection, while my drinking buddy enjoy the beer selection. We had just eatten so we did not order a meal, but the place smelled of ginger snap so we indulged in dessert - two home made, hot out of the oven chocolate chip cookies with dipping milk!! They were delicious (and big) - even if an odd pairing with gin! I highly recommend this place for a fun afternoon. read more

This was my favorite place to have a nice drink in New Haven. They make kick ass old fashions and carry a lot of unique & distinctive liquors. Craft cocktails, cool bartenders, mellow chill, dark wood decor. The back room is like hanging out in a Harry Potter secret room. Great place to grab a nice cocktail and catch up with friends or relax. I've never gone late night, so not sure if the vibe changes. But I do love his place, to a life less ordinary is usually the toast j say when I'm here. Ordinary isn't so ordinary. read more

Ordinary - Happy hour, numbah 2 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Great bar with a short menu, great ambience, and very tight space. I think it helps to come with the right expectations--if you are looking for a great beer to go with your cheese plate, this is the place to go. On the other hand, there isn't enough food to have a real meal here. They serve pies which are delicious but tiny. Could be a good place to start out before you head out for dinner. The place still feels a little like Richter's, small and warm, maybe even a little New Haven history creeping in... read more

Ordinary is a cool place to get a fancy drink; a Manhattan, pesco sour, a VERY NICE Old Fashioned (the drink, not the other thing) (well, maybe the other thing, because your date will definitely be impressed). Go to Ordinary read more

I love that both of the historic Taft spaces have now been restored (the other being Roia in the ballroom). And both show much care and respect in their restoration. This place has a great atmosphere and a feel that's unique to New Haven. It definitely has a bit of a LES/Williamsburg vibe - joining the ranks of Firehouse 12 and 116 Crown as another preferred hipster watering hole. Prices are good, drink menu is interesting, beer choices are solid, service is good. Haven't tried the cheese/charcuterie/savory pies yet, but I trust it's all top quality coming from Mr. Cheese himself. It gets 5 stars on appearance alone. The back room is especially awesome, a comfortable place to hang out and relax as the Richter's moose surveys his domain. read more

From the guys who brought us Caseus (and the Cheese Truck!) bring us Ordinary! A great selection of drinks, beer, and food! To start off with drinks. After going there a couple times, I've tried just about all of them. The BeeNees was very tasty. The Viking's Funeral was exceptional, a mezcal based drink tasting exactly as it sounds. The food is very good for the limited menu they have. A great cheese selection and the meat pies are very yummy! The service staff was also above the average level. They were very knowledgeful of the drinks and food options. read more

Went for an unofficial Yelp Event here and was spoiled for the evening. If Ordinary ever goes out, I think I would go into the restaurant business just to own such an incredibly gorgeous piece of space in downtown New Haven. The rich dark woods and wonderful sense of humor the place has is so welcoming (i.e. an English bulldog in the corner wearing a London Guard hat, sitting next to a Gargoyle - strange, but not out of place). My only complaint was the lack of a real fire in the incredibly gorgeous fireplace, but thankfully it was warm so it wasn't an issue of comfort but one of aesthetics. Onto the food! We ordered the grilled cheese sammies, the mince pie, and one of Nora's goat cheese cupcakes with an apple filling (from Middletown, CT). All of it was delightful and the portions were just right for sharing. The drink selection very heavily outweighs their menu selection, but this is the kind of place who seemingly understands that what they have on their menu they do right every time. Overall the experience was wonderful. I think I could have sat there all night if I didn't have work the next morning. I'll definitely be returning to Ordinary and any future Yelp event they hold there. read more

I'm hesitant to post this awesome review because I don't want this spot to get overwhelmed with teenyboppers, but I can't keep this dirty secret in any longer. Ordinary is the bees knees for good drankz. The bartenders here are too legit to quit. Tell them the type of drink you like, or the type of alcohol you prefer, and they will whip something up special for you. Or you can always order some of their staples - the classic old-fashioned is done right here. Food-wise, I've had the candied bacon - it's okay, I'm not dying over it, but I have ordered it twice so I guess that says something. The beer cheese, when it's available, is full of rich beer flavor and comes as a really nice portion with pretzel dough bread slices. Overall, I haven't have a bad drink here yet. I've had specialty shots too - don't judge me - and those come out great as well. You really can't go wrong. I will say that it's small, but the old school vibe makes for a cozy atmosphere. I always meet cool people here from all walks of life. This is definitely at the top of my "must-visit" list while in new haven if you're looking for curated, boozy fun. read more

A gin cocktail that called into question my lifetime hatred of gin? Yes. Ordinary did this and my mind has been opened. I can't wait to go back and try some food. read more

One of the best Old Fashioneds I've ever had! Stopped in here for some drinks on a Saturday night. The place is relatively small and luckily we snagged a few seats at the bar. You can tell that the staff is really knowledgeable about the unique spirits that this place has. I highly recommend any of the specialty cocktails on the menu. My favorite would have to be the Old Fashioned. It was elevated to another level - even better than my old favorite Plan B! The folks next to us ordered some of their smoked meats and food - which smelled AMAZING. I will surely try their food the next time I'm in there. Way to go Ordinary! You are anything but..... read more

I only had a couple of opportunities to visit, as Ordinary opened right around the time I finished my graduate program. However, I thought it was a great addition to the downtown bar scene. The cocktails are a bit on the high side for New Haven but given the quality ingredients, I'm fine with that. I tried a couple of different options over my visits, all delicious. I also enjoyed their well-curated selection of craft beers. I believe they also have some small bites but I didn't have an opportunity to try those. I love the interior, especially the long bar. I did find the place a bit overcrowded - I think people were pretty excited in the first few weeks after opening. So that's to be expected. Despite the classy decor, I found Ordinary to be pretty chill. I showed up one night for a birthday event, still wearing my backpack. Another night, in the middle of moving, my husband and I dropped in for a couple of drinks after finding Prime too crowded. I was wearing a fleece and flip-flops and no one seemed to mind. I just wish this place had opened a couple of years earlier so that I could enjoy it during my time in New Haven! read more

I cannot speak more highly about this bar. The vibe is fantastic: hipster, dark with a speakeasy vibe to it. All the bartenders are a blast to be around. The owner even did a shot with me on my birthday. Truly I feel like they are more friends then workers which makes the whole experience a blast. In addition their drinks are extremely unique and constantly changing. They will always give you a sample of a new beer they have on tap or recommend their favorite cocktails. Yes some do say their drinks are more expensive...but they are infinitely stronger than your average bar's drinks. In my mind it is worth the added price. I highly recommend the bee's knees drink. Made perfectly every time. If you can make sure to get a spot at the bar. That is where you will have the best time! read more

I've been going to Ordinary since they've opened and can honestly say I've yet to be disappointed. Cocktails are unique, food is flavorful and both are delicious no matter what I've tried. All of the bartenders are knowledgeable and friendly, especially enjoy talking to Moi and Andy. I really like the decor of the bar, has a speakeasy feel to it. The atmosphere is really laid-back and mellow. I've had interesting conversations with complete strangers on several occasions. read more

Couldn't love this place more. Amazing drinks, fun atmosphere, and fantastic food!!! Pulled pork is delicious and the Mac n cheese is to die for. Have only been here during the day, but I almost feel that's better-can have it all to yourself!!! read more

Ordinary - Delicious!!! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

we were strolling in New Haven and found this on Yelp. Very happy we went! you go here for the drinks and stay for the food. The drinks are not your normal bar drinks... very different but delicious combinations that feature the liquor not the mixers... Had an Old Fashioned that was out of this world.. also recommend the Sazerac! if you like bourbon or whiskey you will not be disappointed. The kitchen has extremely limited capabilities so the food menus was not extensive. we had the BBQ meat pie which was excellent but a touch overpriced at $9.00 Other than that, the service was awesome. Really enjoyed our time here and can't wait to come back! read more

Very cool bar. Bartenders are professional and the cocktails are unbelievably well-crafted. Try the food! The beer cheese, cheese plates and smoked meats from Smokebox are incredibly good. Their old-fashioned is one of my favorite cocktails in the city and the brisket blew me away. This place has become a favorite of mine. read more

Tiny with great cocktails and surprisingly good grilled cheese. The hand crafted cocktails are well thought out and well executed. The kitchen is literally a corner of a room with 2 burners, a tiny oven, and a flat top. They can't handle many orders at a time, but they do well with what they have. The grilled cheese was amazing (4.5/5), but the brisket was a joke as it was mostly fat and gristle. The waiter was very understanding and allowed us to replace it with another grilled cheese. It's a little louder than I would like. The size of the place would suggest it might be a little more quiet and lowkey, but it's not. The music forces people to talk louder. All that being said, it's a fun place that feels like a little piece of NYC in downtown New Haven. The bartenders are great, and they will explore your interests and try to match a cocktail with your tastes. read more

This place needs more love from the yelp community! Ordinary is my favorite bar in New Haven. The drinks are amazing and while pricey one really does take you a long way. I do miss the Colombian bartender (forget his name?) that used to work there, he made a mean drink! The other bartenders are really cool though. The space is tiny but somehow it works. Sometimes I wish they would dim the lights and have a dj spin after hours but I guess this is New Haven. No but in all seriousness...go! Try their manhattan or the old fashioned. read more

The cocktails are extra strong (I had three, and that left my head spinning), and the prices are quite reasonable for what you get. I wasn't particularly impressed by any of the drinks that I tried, though. I love manhattans, and their house manhattan is just okay. The service was meh. Twice I had to stand at the bar for several minutes before the bartender would come over. This normally wouldn't bother me (because it's a bar, and those things happen) but more than once the bartender literally made eye contact with me, then walked away in order to continue a conversation with a patron. With that being said, this place is relatively new, so I'm sure they're working out the kinks. I'll give it another try, but it's not living up to my expectations thus far. read more

I agree with almost everything from the 3 previous reviews. And I LOVE Caseus. I also love craft beer. So I really want to give this 5 stars. I trust you can read the other reviews about the beauty of the building, etc. so I will not go into that further. Pros: The cheese plate was Caseus quality. My group cleaned that plate. Also my friends who ordered the BBQ pork pie were quite happy. All of us were happy with our drinks and they were quite reasonably priced. Cons: My bacon pie was just okay. Too much potato, too little bacon, would like sharper cheese. Also, the silverware is made out of wood. I'm all for environmentally friendly utensils and tableware, but I got a splinter from my spork. (I'm not even kidding. I ate with a wooden spork). And it is necessary to use the utensils because the pies are made in traditional British style instead of the more modern empanada-style that you can eat with your hands. I realize these are pretty minor complaints, but I 1) won't order the bacon pie again and 2) am really unhappy about needing a band-aid from going out to dinner. Not wanting to order a meal again is a big thing for me, because I have loved every meal I've had from Caseus. So will I go to Ordinary again? Absolutely! But I still reserve my 5-star love for Caseus. That being said, if you go here, you will get a very good dinner and a very good drink for less than $30, which I cannot say for Caseus. read more

We came here for lunch around 1pm on a Sunday. The place was totally empty except for us. We ordered a cheese and salami plate. It came with a few almonds, olives, honey, mustard, and some toast crisps. The waiter tried to tell us that the salami was chorizo, but upon our confusion, he realized his mistake and gave us the correct name. We were given no plates to share the appetizer, and I asked for some. He brought us paper boats, the kind they serve fries in at a carnival or bowling alley. Drinks were pricy and nothing special. We got Moscow Mules. Grilled cheeses were nothing special. For the price ($11), you expect way more. It's pretty difficult to mess up a grilled cheese, and I regretted wasting the calories on it. It was soggy with not much filling, despite having paid an extra $6 for beef brisket filling. The insult to injury though was THE PLATES. They served our grilled cheeses in those sad little paper boats. I think when you're spending $25 per person on lunch, the place can give you a ceramic plate. The paper french fry boats were just a completely bizarre choice for a place that otherwise purports itself to be kind of upscale. Regarding the interior of the dining room, it's gloomy to say the least. I understand that this location used to be a landmark bar, but the cold, hardwood and dead animals don't exactly say, "Fun Times with Friends" as you're dining. I expected Edgar Allan Poe to pop his head in and recite some poetry about my sad grilled cheese in its paper boat. My first and last visit. read more