I've been here several times, mostly because of the convenient location (not that anything is far away in downtown Pittsburgh, but many newer or interesting restaurants are closer to the theater district), and have had good experiences with both food and service. Somewhat expensive, as expected/appropriate for the beautiful atmosphere and locally-sourced menu, but not prohibitive. Welcome addition to downtown. read more

I came here with my family for a pre-Christmas dinner and we were all very impressed and happy with the food. The space is super hipstery, but fun and clean. The one issue with the space is there are horrible acoustics, so dinner conversation was pretty difficult. For appetizers, we had blue crab crispy fritters and the giant Bavarian pretzel, both of which were delicious. For my entree, I had the crispy chicken thighs with cauliflower puree and brussels sprouts and I loved every bite. My foodie grandparents raved about our meal and their stamp approval is hard to come by. For dessert, we had the dark chocolate soufflé cake, which is served with peanut butter sauce, salted caramel ice cream, and garnished with roasted peanuts. The cake itself is more of a standard flourless cake, but damn was that dessert good! I live in Los Angeles, but will definitely insist on coming back here next time I'm in town. read more

The Commoner - Dark chocolate soufflé cake with peanut butter sauce, salted caramel ice cream, and a garnish of roasted peanuts. Totally worth it! - New American Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I stayed at Hotel Monarch and chose to eat at The Commoner out of convenience. I ordered the lamb burger and brussel sprouts and was blown away. I was was curious to see their rating on Yelp and expected a move favorable rating. It seems they had some changes at Chef and some service issues. It was obvious to me that the new Manager addressed all issues as the food was great and the service too. I returned the next night for oxtail soup and kale salad which didn't disappoint. My intention was to pay my bill and leave but I peeked at the dessert menu and had to try the sticky toffee pudding. Loved it! read more

The Commoner introduced a new menu (both food and drinks) a month or two ago and the options / quality have diminished significantly. Many of the fan favorites are now off the menu, perhaps to control costs per plate / drink. If they bring back the old menu, it's a 5-star review for sure. Unfortunate, as we went every week / every other week. read more

Alex will soon have a bartender cult following....! As well traveled out-of- towners we happened in on a rainy June evening,and sat at the bar... seat 101 & 102. We watched an incredible display of talented mixology, and indulged in his many interesting and knowledgable facts of unusual drinks. Can't recommend him enough. Awesome eclectic bar! read more

We were staying at the Hotel Monaco and had the opportunity to enjoy a late dinner, breakfast and afternoon dessert during our weekend stay. Our regret? That it is not in Miami. All our meals were delicious and the staff was attentive and charming. The roasted cauliflower, the mac and cheese, the pavlova were some of the tasty dishes we sampled. We will definitely come back on our next visit to the city read more

The Bar was busy, and service a little slow, but very friendly. Drinks were good and the beer list has a good range. The acoustics are tough. It can get very loud. Dinner was very good, service marginal. The menu has some strange listings - shareable corn, except it is one ear of grilled corn. One can envision the entertaining ways to share a side of one ear of corn. read more

Pretty basic nice atmosphere food not worth it. Has Mac/cheese..salmon..cheese platter skip the food

We had a really nice meal at the bar. The Commoner burger was good and the drinks were well-made.

The one star is for the nice staff. Unfortunately it doesn't change the fact that 1. Waited 40 mins for my takeout order, 2. Confirmed foie gras is pate, but it's not, 3. Ask for no cilantro but still have it in my soup. 4. Promised pita bread with foie gras but got none. Completely disappointed! read more

Amazing bartenders who know how to make a martini on point! Definitely stop here for food and drink!

Over priced. Burger not so good. Short rib mac, stay away from. However, the pancakes were great! Service was slow-sat at the bar. They did not refill the waters and the gentleman took forever to make my cocktail which was overpriced for the quality of the drink. read more

Any review saying anything bad is bullshit. I'm going to be straight up. I live in the building across the street the place is phenomenal in every way. People forget that it's a WHOLE restaurant connected to a hotel. The environment is incredible the food is AMAZING. Don't even question it just go and then hit an Uber to spirit in lawrenceville after for a funky night. If you know what spirit is then just trust me. Do you..don't think twice...and just have fun and order whatever....it is top notch...!!!!!! read more

The soup was barely lukewarm and my husband said the crab fritters tasted like canned tuna fish.

Nice food. The BAR is the best. Great drinks meticulously made with love and care. Wine is so-so. Great atmosphere.

I was in a couple weeks ago and sat at the bar. The food and drinks were phenomenal. The bar staff considering of Alex, Patricia, and Justin took great care of me. I will be back very soon. read more

A little mixed on the food and totally sold on the service from Ben, as well as the friendliness and teamwork of those others with whom we had interaction. The brisket meat was perfect ... on a stale bun. The shells were cooked perfectly al dente and there was an acceptable portion of crabmeat (I'm from New England so my standard is different for seafood) and it was all baked beautifully but the butter (oil?) pooled a little too much. Ben's service is perfectly timed and his personality is perfect -- engaging and humorous without being dramatic or exaggerating. He has an excellent sense of timing and communication. read more

Went here for brunch on 8/16. Food was ok. Service needed some help; ordered eggs scrambled; however got them over easy. Had to wait for a new plate to come out. Then no butter or jelly on the toast; had to ask for some and was given a thimble of margarine and jam. For the amount I was paying I expected to not have to ask for butter. (and then not get it...but margarine). Coffee was bitter...as in not good quality bitter, but Maxwell house left in a pot too long bitter. Husband had the periogi dish and was pleased with it. Overall, was disappointed as we just has a wonderful stay at the Hotel Monaco and unfortunately the Commoner did not have the same high standard. read more

Had the salmon and orange/arugula salad which was excellent But..restaurant is too noisy

Visited The Commoner for Sunday brunch while staying the weekend at Hotel Monaco. It was busy, and they were holding tables for a large group, but the pleasant hostess had a 2-top cleaned for us and sat us quickly. We ordered the Western PA omelette and the Irish soda bread French toast (which an employee at reception recommended). Took about 15 minutes for food to arrive. The omelette was good, so was the side of bacon. Learned that French toast should never be made with Irish soda bread -- way too dense and dry in the center to be enjoyable. Overall, 3 stars -- better than most hotel restaurants, but nothing special. Seemed very accommodating to families with small children. read more

Pleasantly surprised! Short rib entree was delicious and the bartender was really nice. He not only have great recommendations on their own menu but observed I was new to the city and gave a great list of local places to check out downtown. Its crowded, which is a good sign for such a new place. read more

Great place and a cool vibe. Unique and quite tasty menu items, exceptional service every time, and a great place for a night cap. Always try to drop by when in town. read more

The Commener offered an exceptional dining experience. The wait staff, food , ambiance was perfect. The Manager, Jason, is very friendly and makes a real effort to check that everything is running smoothly. read more

The commoner is one of the hands-down best bars downtown. On a Wednesday night I received the best service from waiter named Jeff and a bartender neighbor Patricia. the special i ordered was perfectly cooked and came extremely quickly. read more

Visited for dinner after the Pittsburgh marathon. Dinner was delicious and hit the spot! Service was excellent! The decor of the restaurant made for a wonderful dining experience! The burger and fish and chips were excellent dishes. read more

Went here for lunch on a Sunday to realize there is only a brunch menu available. Okay, we can do that as menu looked interesting enough. Ordered a regular Mimosa and husband ordered a beer. Beer was cold and fresh, Mimosa leaved a LOT to be desired (champagne and/or OJ could have been colder but didn't really taste great). Husband ordered a fish sandwich and wasn't much impressed. I ordered the Yinz' Need Breakfast with fresh fruit, eggs were perfectly done but the English muffin tasted horrible and while the fresh fruit was fresh, it had been sitting out for a while. Pretty expensive for the quality of food. It is a large restaurant which is nice and looks like it would be nice for families but the price would not be cost effective. Would I return? Maybe as I have been told the Shepherds Pie is really good BUT if that were not available, I would not eat here again. read more

We had a fantastic weekend "away" at Hotel Monaco. We had a small party at the Biergarten and then had a late night dinner/dessert at The Commoner. Word had gotten out that it was my husband's birthday and they brought him the dessert compliments of the restaurant. The most amazing dessert too-sticky toffee pudding. In the am, brunch and coffee drinks were phenomenal. Staff were friendly and the whole experience personal, unique and warm. read more

I first went to The Commoner on Valentine's Day this year. It was an awesome experience...very cool pub-esque atmosphere, innovative food, and a really stellar craft cocktail menu. We went out with a group of friends for a wedding celebration a few weeks ago. Once again, the experience was fantastic. This is, in my opinion, one of the best restaurants in the 'burgh. The waitress was so friendly and attentive. The drinks and food rotate seasonally (always a good sign). We tried a few (maybe more, I lost count) cocktails, and they were all very good. This restaurant is NOT cheap, so if that's your goal, be forewarned. We had a Smoking Monk cocktail that was $20 bucks a pop, but it was the smoothest whiskey drink I've ever had. The food was also very good. I will say, again, portions are small by American chain restaurant standards (you decidedly will NOT need a doggy bag), and the greens with my chicken were getting a little cold. That being said, I've been here before and I know that that isn't the norm. I think part of that was the size of our party and how busy the restaurant was. That's the only reason I took off one star. They were also kind enough to give us a dessert to split in honor of the wedding. Granted, they made several hundred dollars off of our table, so the $9 dessert wasn't going to kill them, but it was nonetheless an unnecessary gesture that shows they were willing to go above and beyond to help us celebrate. I hate to specifically comment on the food here because the menu changes often and so referencing specific dishes might not be of much help. If you're a foodie, you'll find something that appeals to your self-proclaimed sophisticated palate. If you're not a foodie, and you prefer the "50 Shades of Beige" approach to eating (just kidding, to each their own), just ask a server and from my experience, they'll be more than happy to guide you in the right direction. We had two people in our party that won't even put ketchup on their fries (yes, somehow they're from Pittsburgh), and they found something they could eat there. I'm pretty harsh when it comes to my restaurant expectations, but The Commoner has yet to let me down. read more

We love this bar and pick it every time we are staying in downtown Pittsburgh for a show or concert. The drinks are awesome and if you don't like what is on the cocktail menu, just talk to the bartender. They are happy to create something you will like. The bar menu is wonderful and varied. We always find lots of things to try and share. A fun, happy bar and restaurant housed in a spectacular hotel. read more

Visited on a whim, glad we made last minute reservations. Started with some of their Brussel sprouts to nibble on, my fiancé hates Brussel sprouts, I love them, and we both absolutely enjoyed the Commoner's variation. We each got a different cut of steak and it was the best steak we'd had in a while. Our waitress, host and bus staff were polite, friendly and ATTENTIVE. We had a show to catch and we were in and out, with two courses, in 35-40 minutes start to finish. Fantastic, would absolutely go again. read more

Great Service! I got a great chef's tasting (Scotch Eggs) from being in the Kimpton Inner Circle. The Bavarian Pretzel was sooooo good. My sister who had actually been to Germany approved of the pretzel too! For my entree I ordered the Short Rib which was just amazing. I have had my fare share of beef, and this short rib is at the top of my list. The smoked flavors are tasted throughout the entire rib. Sadly, I did not have enough space for dessert and fell asleep from a food coma before I could order it for room service. read more

A phenomenal experience from start to finish. The ambience is captivating with the unique decor, high ceilings and spacious tables/bar. The service was on point and the staff was knowledgeable about their menu. We had appetizers, food and bevs. Everything was cooked perfectly and tasted amazing. The manager Aaron was very thoughtful and informative as he popped over here and there to see how our experience was going. He was a fine example for his staff and restaurant. We will be back again and again! read more

Granted we came for a special occasion (joint anniversary/wife's birthday party) when sentiment can color things, but the food was excellent, and our waitress was phenomenal--personable without appearing phony, attentive without being overbearing. Although our preferred appetizer (duck fat fries--most toothsome) was not on the menu, we were able to order it nonetheless. The cocktails not only tasted delicious but were visually and aromatically quite stimulating as well. Both the main course and the dessert followed in the same excellent vein. The personal touches of generosity and graciousness abounded through the meal: we received complementary glasses of champagne to celebrate, and my wife's cocktail and dessert were provided gratis. Definitely a place to consider in the future. read more

I have been a huge fan of Kimpton hotels for many years so I anxiously awaited the arrival of Hotel Monaco. We decided to go with our best friends to the Commoner for a birthday celebration on a Saturday evening in February. Sadly, our experience was not just disappointing -- it was horrible. Things started badly when we (along with several other parties who also had reservations) waited nearly 15 minutes for someone to acknowledge our presence in the reception area. No host or hostess, no manager, no one who seemed remotely interested. When we were finally seated, a male and female server engaged in a somewhat heated argument over and across our table concerning who would serve us. She won and we lost. She took our drink order and disappeared for nearly 30 minutes. We could see our drinks sitting on the bar and debated whether we should walk over and get them ourselves. We should have; apparently it would have been appropriate. We watched people from two other tables do just that after they grew tired of waiting for their drinks. My husband and our friend each ordered a half dozen oysters on the half shell and my friend and I split the cheese flight. While still waiting for our drinks, the oysters -- at least some of them -- were delivered. Both plates of oysters had two empty shells. The remaining oysters were dry and shriveled, most likely from embarrassment. When we pointed this out to the servers who delivered them (our server was still MIA and the drinks were still diluting on the bar), both servers shrugged and said they didn't know what had happened, and then went MIA with our waitress. The cheese flight was dry and minuscule - it must have been sitting on a ledge somewhere for hours like our drinks. The person who served the cheese flight was unable to provide any guidance on the identity of the cheeses. Once in a while we would catch a glimpse of our server running around looking perplexed, but she failed to make an appearance at our table for quite some time. Perhaps she was distracted by the noise; the acoustics in the restaurant are horrible. We could hear all the loud conversations going on at the bar -- 30 feet away from us -- but could not engage in dinner conversation with our dinner companions across the table without shouting. And still no manager to be seen anywhere in the restaurant. Finally, our server arrived with our drinks and took our dinner orders. We told her about the missing oysters which seemed to throw her into another tizzy. Our friend ordered a steak which arrived overcooked and gristly -- and once again a lengthy wait for someone to bring a steak knife. My husband ordered the seafood chowder which consisted of five overcooked shellfish/seafood items served on a barren dish with a small pitcher of congealed and tasteless white sauce. I ordered the unimaginative and unseasoned salmon which was served cold and dry. My friend had the wheat seitan which, although nothing to write home about, was probably the best choice of the evening. All of these were delivered by our otherwise MIA server who took another drink order that was never delivered. Perhaps she hid in shame after serving what purported to be our dinner entrees. After waiting for another half hour after we stopped eating our entrees (note that I did not say finished eating), she finally came back to the table to ask if we were ready to order dessert. We weren't -- we had all we could take. For the first time that evening, she actually was fairly prompt in bringing the check which still included the charges for the less than complete oyster appetizers. Rather than quibble and spending another hour waiting, we paid the bill and got out of there as soon as we could. What a debacle! And I have spoken to others who have had similar experiences. Such a shame. We had such high hopes. This is not what we have come to expect from Kimpton. read more

My wife and I were celebrating our 33rd wedding anniversary and we wanted to visit a eatery we have never been to. So this was our first trip here. The restaurant was nicely decorated and open. There was a cool vibe to it that made the place comfortable for business and pleasure or just a great place to stop after work. The service was very good and the staff attentive. The menu contained an ample assortment of vegetables whether fresh in salads or roasted. The charred cauliflower was to die for. Our entrees were good but not outstanding. My wife had salmon on a cedar plank. She was quite happy with her choice. I picked the short rib pot pie which I found to be only average. Then as contents of the pie had a decent amount of juicy short ribs and root vegetables. The crust however was the dishes downfall. Instead of light flakey crust, it was a thick bland piece of pastry. That small complaint will not deter us from returning. The menu has many interesting things we want to try on our next visit read more

Christina - I don't think you are understanding my concern. I get that escolar is served elsewhere and I have no doubt that your fish is fresh; but it is potentially dangerous and patrons should be provided with a warning so that they understand the consequences. As I stated in my review, multiple food sites mention the dangers of consuming this dish, which tells me that either: a) you don't concern yourselves with the well-being of your patrons or b) you don't understand the risks associated with serving this fish. Either answer is unacceptable for an established restaurant such as yours. You also did not address the condescension of your GM, which was beyond rude. I expected your reply to not address the root of the issue and I stand by my original review. There are plenty of other restaurants in the downtown Pittsburgh area that we will frequent in the future. We will not visit the Commoner again based on your choice to defend your actions rather than correct them. read more

We had reservations for 18 people for 3 months. When we get there, the set up they were trying to do was awful. After about 25 minutes we just split up and didn't sit together for a Christmas gathering. We started with the Pretzel w/beer cheese and bacon wrapped dates which were both fabulous, the meat tray and the cheese tray not so much, just OK. The Braised short Rib was outstanding, the scallops and pork chop also very very good. Two guests had the Steak, which was a not get again plate. Edible, but just ok. The desserts were not very pretty or tasty. Not one of us finished them. The service was slow, had our server came over they would have sold at least 36 drinks (2 a piece) more over the 3 hours. They would benefit the servers also telling first timers to order a salad. Most of us just took recommendation off server and did not realize salads were not included. That's our fault for not paying attention, but up selling is better than not. Will definitely go back again for the short rib and pork chop. I try not to review first visits, but I will edit after 2nd try. I did enjoy the atmosphere and decor even if it was very loud! read more

Gave this place another try based on the manager's assurance that my previous experience was unusual. Arrived (now aware that entering by the back door was sure to baffle the staff) and was met by the most unfriendly hostess (I think, the individual was pretty androgynous). She scowled at my companion and I and showed us to our seats without ever speaking a single word. The waitress, initially arrived at our table with a friendly greeting and took our drink order, but then disappeared for an extended period of time. This was before the lunch rush and there were only about five or six other tables of diners, so I have no clue what kept her away. When she reappeared, I asked for a recommendation and ordered the vegetarian masala. While this dish was good, it was so very spicy that my nose was running and eyes watering throughout the meal - a warning about the spiciness level might be in order. Once she took our order, we didn't see the waitress again until she brought our check with the dessert menu (never asking if we'd prefer separate checks - as many lunchtime diners do). Even the worst restaurants usually have a server visit you after your meal has been delivered to see if you need anything (a drink refill would have been nice based on the spiciness level of my meal). While the food was good, this is a very expensive place to eat lunch and should have top notch service. With an option like the William Penn, offering delicious food and excellent service, right across the street, this place really needs to step it up. read more