This little brunch place is beautiful with a classy feel. The service was enpointe and each dish we ordered was well presented with good portion size. I recommend their specialty drinks, the Paloma is especially tasty. I recommend making a reservation since it gets pretty busy on the weekends, but it's definitely worth a visit. read more

Mother's Day buffet not worth $45 per adult - could have made scrambled eggs hash browns and bacon at home - way too expensive such bland food. read more

First time being there and will be going back again. Live a hour away but it is worth the trip. I believe the bartenders name was Matt, he was amazing! Friendly and helpful. The guest there was also what made the experience nice. Everyone so kind. The rolls and Asian ribs are a 10/10. read more

Had such high hopes for this restaurant. Unfortunately, while the service and atmosphere were fine, the food was unimpressive. My daughter found a hair in her food and would not let me tell the server as she didn't want to seem difficult. I ordered the smoked salmon avacado toast and the salmon was way too thick and had to remove the salmon before eating. We had a party of 6 and the bill was not cheap. I am a foodie at heart so may try again as the menu is impressive, just need to deliver that when it counts. read more

Ambiance was good. Server was very good, friendly and knowledgeable. Food was fine, not bad, average. It was way overpriced for the quality of the food. We won't return for this reason. read more

Stopped in here yesterday for brunch for the first time. I feel silly because for as many times as I've been here for dinner I've never known they did brunch so I was excited to try it. The menu isn't huge, although they do also offer their full menu at the same time so there is a TON to choose from, but brunch specials are limited. However, they're some solid options so it's not a bad thing. A sampling of the menu--egg dishes like frittatas and omelets (including a shrimp and lobster omelet that sounded amazing), sweets like challah french toast and blueberry buttermilk pancakes, and lunch-ier seafood dishes like crab cakes (with poached eggs), and fish tacos. Everything sounded fantastic but I decided to go sweet that morning and got the french toast with a side of bacon. The french toast is fantastic. So good that despite the fact everyone else at my table loved their dishes they were still picking bites of my french toast off my plate. It's served with a bananas foster sauce so it's buttery, and sweet, caramelized a bit and SO very rich. The bananas also made it feel like it had a bit of healthiness to it (ha! right). I loved every bite. And I finished every bite, much to my discomfort. Fantastic! In addition to their regular drink/wine/beer menu they also have mimosas, bellinis and bloody marys. I had the mimosa and it made me a happy girl. Oh, and they have those bomb ass rolls at brunch too. So get there, ok?? read more

Common Grill - French toast! - New American Near Me - Chelsea, Michigan

I had last visited Common Grill over a decade ago and have hazy memories of a good meal with good friends. On this return visit, I have great memories of a meal where skilled preparation allowed the purity of fresh ingredients to shine. Common Grill is a large restaurant in the small, but surprisingly bustling, town of Chelsea. It features large windows and gleaming hardwood tables and floors. Exposed brickwork, a painted tin ceiling, and contemporary lighting help to create a casual, upscale atmosphere. On one wall is a less-somber, less-isolating version of Edward Hopper's Nighthawks painting. On the opposite one, is that another Edward Hopper-styled painting, Early Sunday Morning, with a view of the Jiffy Mix manufacturing facility? Was it a nod to a neighbor? I'm not sure - I only had a glance. The restaurant was packed on a recent late-Sunday afternoon with several large groups creating an extremely loud environment. The menu is fairly curated with numerous seafood appetizers and entrées. The crispy Lobster Rolls appetizer stood out with its big chucks of fresh, sweet lobster. The Asian slaw with the Chinese mustard sauce was peppery and tasty. It was possibly the best spring rolls that I have ever had. The pear salad was perfect with its sweetly-poached pear spears, strong Gorgonzola cheese, and herb balsamic vinaigrette. I also loved the Seafood Risotto entrée. Sweet scallops, large chunks of lobster, and jumbo shrimps highlight a well-prepared risotto. (The picture does not do the dish justice. The chunks of lobster were hidden by the Pecorino-Romano cheese). Asparagus, shaved cheese, and a lobster/saffron cream added depth of flavor. With every bite, you would taste the freshness and quality of the core ingredients. Service was fine. It would have been a more relaxing meal had it not been so loud. Parking is available at a public lot less than a block away on South and Main. read more

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Great food & service with a personal touch. Been coming here for years. Their staff are great ! read more

Love love the retro chic decor and airy ambience of CG!! Hubs and I came yesterday for a quick lunch bite, and ordered the pan-fried rainbow trout with saffron pilaf and haricot beans, and shrimp&lobster fettucine -- SO GOOD with generous portions and fresh ingredients (sadly forgot to snap pics before we gobbled them up)! Their complimentary bread has a perfectly crisped shell with poppy seed freckles and super soft pillowy innards . And their side cole slaw is tangy, light and fresh (I DESPISE mayo-drenched and ultra sweet slaw). Will always be back when wanting some fine ambience at reasonable price points! read more

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If only Chelsea wasn't so far away... My husband and I love coming to the Common Grill every time we find ourselves in Chelsea. They do such a good job with all things seafood, and this last visit didn't disappoint. We remembered the Lobster Spring Roll appetizer fondly, and were pleased to see it still on the menu. They cram a good deal of lobster into these little babies, along with lots of tasty Chinese veggies. The spring roll wrappers are perfectly crisp, without being greasy. The sauce is tangy and pulls everything together so nicely. I ordered the Jumbo Lump Crab Carbonara Pasta and it was so delicious. Not a traditional carbonara, the lemon-garlic sauce tasted more like a very creamy Alfredo, with neither the lemon nor the garlic flavor being especially prominent - a very balanced sauce. The prosciutto and pancetta were cut into skinny crispy strips that added texture as well as flavor to the dish. The crab was sweet and plentiful. What more could you ask for?! My husband's choice was less successful. He ordered the Shrimp and Lobster Fettuccine. While it came loaded with lots of beautiful shrimp and lobster chunks, the sauce was rather bland. I love the Common Grill's rolls. Very butter and crusty at the same time, these gems deserve a special shout-out. We both got the Butterscotch Pudding for dessert. The flavor was caramelly rich and the texture silken. I would definitely order this again. My only criticism is the accompanying shortbread cookies were pretty flavorless. I would have preferred a smidge more pudding to having the cookies. read more

Excellent seafood for this area and the manager Josh was great making sure our experience was a good one. I don't know why I waited 15 years to finally go back to this place but have a couple times now over the last two months and it's always delivering exactly the kind of meal I'm expecting for a place of this caliber. The crab carbonara was delicious! read more

Common Grill - New American Near Me - Chelsea, Michigan

The food is consistently great. The atmosphere is very comfortable/casual. Service has always been spot on. Definitely a place which I plan to return to. read more

This is our go to when we want to treat ourselves! We love all the seafood options and of course the pear salad. Only have had carry out from here as we're recent to Chelsea with little ones. Our kids tend to split the broiled fish kids meal and love the rolls! read more

Loved this place and hate to write a poor review but after three subpar visits (and carry-outs) here goes.......plain and simple they raised prices and cut quality and serving sizes. Disappointing to say the least. read more

Blew into Chelsea's Common Grill with family and out-of-town guests for Sunday Brunch after MSU's upset of 7th ranked UM at the Big House last night (2017). Great experience! ...the 'Grill' retains the solid 5-star rating on all measures and continues in my mind to operate on par with any top restaurant in SE Michigan. We had the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Blueberry Compote, an order of the Ipswich Fried Clams, a pair of Shrimp & Lobster Omelettes, a Buttermilk Fried Chicken Waffle, a Grill Burger and even an order of Pan-Fried Lake Perch (my personal fave). All were outstanding and supported by friendly and very professional service. There is nothing common about the Common Grill. Still a very strong 5-star player. read more

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Yum and Yum. The Common Grill is one if my favorite restaurants, and never fails to impress. It is a great place for fresh seafood, great salads, and an assortment of menu items. I usually get some type of fish entree, but the last time I had the fish tacos. They were pretty good, and a welcome change for my lunch choice. The biscuits that come with each meal are addictive, and available for takeout. read more

Common Grill - Fish Tacos - New American Near Me - Chelsea, Michigan

Agree with comment by another patron about the music. CG was always noisy when busy, but now its too loud even when not full :( Still fine food (though some prices are up considerably), good server, and I like the addition of some more imported wines. I recommend, but might not be going as often as I used to. read more

Please note: If we were to be truly specific on rating, it would be: 4.59/5 (or 9.18/10). SERVICE: (10/10) Our waiter Tom was respectful, professional and prompt in taking care of each of our requests throughout our experience. He was an absolute pleasure to have included in our impression of The Common Grill. He ensured that every single request was met to standard and promptly fulfilled. His expertise truly elevated the experience. DRINKS: - Paris Manhattan (9.6/10): Absolutely excellent. Perfect representation of how a Manhattan should look and taste. I actually requested additional brandied cherries in my second order and they did not disappoint. FOOD: - Roasted Three Onion Soup (8.8/10): (bowl) was perfectly portioned - perfect temperature, perfect ratio of cheese, to onion, to broth. - Broiled Maryland Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes (8.9/10): came in a portion of approx. 6 oz, and tasted very fresh, included a lovely citrus aioli and paired with perfect portion sizes of wild rice pilaf and buttered French beans. Fantastic balance of flavors. DESSERT: - Caramelized Vanilla Bean Crème brûlée (8.6/10): I had requested that the glaze be torched a bit more, which was perfectly achieved. It took 3-4 taps to break through the glaze into a creamy, airy vanilla bean crème. It wasn't too sweet nor too subdued. OVERALL: The Common Grill seemed like it would be just another grill to grab some commonly-featured Midwestern food. However, this assumption is so far from the truth. This establishment has a calming and casual ambience, superior client service, and memorable food and drink. The prices may seem high at first view, however the overwhelming quality and taste of its offerings completely justifies the price tag. Will certainly be visiting again next time I'm in the area. (Sorry, no images to post with this review. Simply trust that everything looked absolutely amazing: interior design, drink/food presentation, even waiter's uniform.) read more

We enjoyed the Common Grill for over 20 years and wanted to check it out under new ownership. It seemed like nothing had changed! Terrific waitress, excellent salads and many of the same great entrees from over the years. (Although my husband missed the "Michigan" salad with the mixed greens, candied walnuts and dried cherries. Oh well.) The restaurant looked and felt the same; which is very good news. read more

Had the walleye, it was good not great. But overall everyone in my party of 14 enjoyed themselves. Drinks were good. Had the paloma.

This has been a favorite restaurant for many years. However I can not give it a 5 Star rating now due to a "small" change... background music. It has always been a noisy place to dine but the music kicked that up a notch. It was even more difficult to hear everyone at the table due to the increased background noise. A couple of people I was with have no desire to return. Another said she'll just get takeout in the future. 4 Stars are for the food and service which are consistently good. read more

Common Grill lived up to the reviews and exceeded our expectations The food was wonderful. The ambiance is great, love the wooden floors and we had Walter as our server and he was friendly guided us on favorites ....food and in town. Very nice experience! read more

Every time I'm in Chelsea I stop by here. It's in a small town but would successful in any city. Great food and atmosphere. The waitstaff are always friendly and I always feel I got my money's worth. read more

We've been patrons of this restaurant for over twenty years and used to consider a meal here as a real treat. Sadly, things have gone downhill over the past several years. Recently we have been coming here annually hoping to find that it has regained its "mojo." Sadly, this is not that year. Prices are high in relation to the quality and size of the entree portions, and due to the various issues with the pandemic I completely understand the need for higher prices, but when you charge nearly $40 for a tiny portion of Halibut it's reasonable to expect that it will at least be properly cooked and seasoned and not be bland and dry and that the sides will rise above the quality of a cafeteria. The quality of the three other entrees/sides at our table were also subpar. On a positive note, the service was very good and we did appreciate our server's attention. Perhaps we will try this place again in 2022, and if we do, I hope they will have regained their status as a jewel of western Washtenaw County. But I honestly don't know how many more times we will keep trying to see if this place can justify a visit. read more

5 of us went there for dinner. Not a single complaint, which is rare. A little pricey but absolutely worth it. The dinner rolls and salad did not disappoint in any way. I had the beef medallions which were absolutely perfect. My wife had the perch and said it was quite possibly the best meal she has ever had. We ordered the calamari appetizer and I recommend asking for their homemade marinara sauce in place of the creamy sauce. The calamari was fabulous and perfectly cooked. The marinara sauce was warm and spicy enough to really set this calamari dish apart. Finished off With their own "new fashioned" instead of an old fashioned. That cocktail was also incredibly good. A new favorite place to go! read more

Had an awesome meal there this evening. Food was excellent, as was the service. I started out with a blood orange cosmo. It had a very good flavor. Tart with just the right amount of sweet. I ordered the Lobster Chowder and warm marinated olives for an appetizer. Both were presented well and were both very delicious. That being said, the appetizer offerings were the only real complaint I had all evening. First of all, let me start by saying, this is not specifically a seafood restaurant. They are known for having a wide variety of dishes. That being said, I was disappointed that the appetizer menu was about 90% seafood / shellfish options. There were only 3 items out of about 18 that were NOT of the seafood variety - French onion soup, warm marinated olives, and garlic parmesean French fries. That's it. Again, the appetizers I ordered were wonderful and delicious, I just wish there were more non seafood options. Next came the salad. A pear gargonzola served with balsamic dressing. It was quite tasty. I'm not sure if there were other salad options, but I also did not ask. For my main entree, I ordered the grilled beef tenderloin medallions. They were served with garlic mashed potatoes and honey glazed carrots. One of my tenderloins was slightly overcooked (ordered medium rare). But my server quickly brought me out another that was perfectly cooked and the dish was very tasty. For dessert, I decided on the Salted caramel chocolate crossaint bread pudding. OMG this was by FAR my favorite thing I ordered all night. Arguably one of the absolute BEST desserts I've ever ordered anywhere! My server was EXCELLENT! Constantly checking on me to make sure everything was awesome, and asking if I needed anything. All in all I give it a 4out of 5 stars. Offer up a few more non seafood appetizer options, and I'll gladly change this to 5 stars! read more

Nice modern and warm spot in Chelsea. I like the lighting and decor and the double doors in the front are great. We went to this favorite spot after a show at the Purple Rose Theater, which was great as well. We had some lobster spring rolls and had the mixed green salad with grilled salmon, everything was tasty. The service was top notch. G had a glass of Cab and i had water, since they had stopped ordering the ginger beer, which is my favorite drink of late. read more

I absolutely love this place. Everything I order is always great and my latest visit was no different. I always start with the oysters and the selection never disappoints. Then I had the house salad which is light, refreshing and delicious. Followed by the shrimp and lobster pasta which was incredible. I wasn't that hungry but it was so good that I ate the whole thing!! And because no meal is complete without dessert, I ended the meal with the chocolate croissant bread pudding which is so incredibly good. The only bad this about this place is that its so far from my home but totally worth the trip out. read more

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I came in with a larger party for an early dinner on Sunday and was delighted at my experience at Common Grill. First, they cocktails and appetizers were great. I had their version of a Old Fashioned followed by the whitefish pate. I tried my friends sea bass (which was a special) it was so light and the sauce was tasty. My pasta was out of this world! Our server was great and made no errors giving us separate bills which is sometimes hard for a large group. read more

Common Grill - Shrimp and crab fettuccine. - New American Near Me - Chelsea, Michigan

My husband and I have been coming here for years and the food is consistently good. Even after ownership changed, the quality is still great. The service has always been really friendly and attentive. read more

One extra star for what it used to be and for good service. But the food itself, particularly the whitefish, was bland and poorly prepared. Price far too high for what you get. A great disappointment. read more

Been going for years. I eat at the bar and Connie gives me excellent service. Went Friday and had another server. Food was late but excellent service was dismal. She forgot about me and never got my water refill. Will wait for a long time to return. Too many other choices with better service. read more

Good local place with a solid seafood menu. The bread was an excellent start and we had a variety of appetizers for dinner. Good oysters, chowder, and fish. You need to order the salmon and tuna tacos. They are worth the trip. (Frequent traveller from out of town) read more

I made the reservation in April for Mother's Day lunch. I have had brunch/lunch here before and was excited to spend some quality time with family. No one reached out to tell me this was a BUFFET. I looked on the website and IG and no where does it mention buffet. We would have been better off going to Stivers or even Old Country Buffet. Food was sub-par, everything was messy and flies were everywhere, not to mention it was $50 per person that I had no idea I had signed up for. New ownership is terrible and it's really too bad they have ruined the long time gem in Chelsea. I am not the first local to be beyond disappointed, major miss Peas and Carrots. read more

Delicious! Love the salmon Santa Fe, and great service. Entire staff was very friendly, quick and attentive and the food was flavorful and wonderful. read more

Great place to eat. Wonderful atmosphere and delicious food. I really enjoy their Parmesan whitefish always been my favorite since the first time I went there. read more

The bread rolls were delicious and they would get the five star rating for those alone. However, that being said, I like how professional the service was as well. They were also accommodating as they were able to make an adult order of the chicken strips for my daughter that's not actually on the menu. I thought that was really nice. Not to mention the chicken strips are delicious, seasoned perfectly and very tender, I'm getting them next time as well. They should add to the adult menu, I'm sure they would get a lot of takers! My husband had the beef medallions with mashed potatoes and carrots. He loved it! The chicken club was pretty good as well although not as good as the chicken tenders, the chicken wasn't as tender but still over all decent for what it was. We also really loved the fries, fresh shoestring fries, they really do make excellent French fries, not greasy at all. The restaurant was also really clean which is always important. Overall, I'll definitely be back soon! Thank you for a most pleasant dining experience! read more

Went for date night last week and not sure where to even begin, this place is fantastic! Highly recommend the calamari, halibut, and the warm chocolate croissant bread pudding. Their "new fashioned" was awesome as well. A little sweeter than a normal old fashioned but I loved it. We can't wait to visit again and bring friends! Awesome food, service, and drinks....what more can you ask for? read more

Easily my fave restaurant in the metro area. I like it so much I have the chef's cookbook and still trek out to come and eat. I like that this restaurant is not too stuffy or formal, just nicely upscale type casual. It makes everyone comfortable and happy. I love the gazpacho here. In season it is a must have. It is different from Rocky's gazpacho as it is a bit less zippy but it also has a fresher taste. Appetizers are great here. I adore the lobster spring rolls with the slaw and mustard, the famous mussels, the zesty firecracker shrimp and ginger fried calamari with the wasabi aioli. I am always torn about which to get so it usually depends on who I am dining with. Generally the firecracker shrimp seems most appealing to all palettes of my acquaintance as that is what I have had the most. My parents almost always get the paella here and it rocks. Truly a saffron-y delight of seafood, chicken and sausage. My husband is a true carnivore and generally gets either a steak or the mixed grill which is bacon wrapped shrimp, herbed chicken and a beef tenderloin. Last time we were in though, he delved into some shrimp and lobster fettucini that had him raving. I thought it was very tasty as well. As for myself I usually get the seafood risotto which has asparagus and lobster saffron cream. Just typing it out has me drooling. I have also sampled quite a few of their fish specials over the years and have yet to have a clunker. I once decided to get the bouillabaisse and ate so much bread soaking up the addicting sauce I haven't dared to do it again for fear my blood sugar may kill me. I used to adore their sliced lamb dish that came with a delicious raspberry sauce but they have not had it in forever. Dinner comes with a salad and I nearly always get the Tuscan pear and gorgonzola. Such a good taste all wrapped up in herb balsamic. The accompanying bread here is excellent too. For lunch I usually get a salad. The best is the grilled cherry wood smoked salmon salad, a delight with camembert beignets (gasp) and sugared walnuts. Odd flavor combo overall but it really works for me. I love the Savannah shrimp salad. The Tuscan pear with chicken, the grilled salmon salad and the warm spinach salad with smoked chicken are all very good. As far as sandwiches I have only had the grilled salmon BLAT and it was very tasty, served with decent hot fries. The pan fried lake perch was also an extremely satisfying lunch choice one afternoon. I usually skip dessert myself but I have had bites of the creme brulee and found it happy. The key lime pie was also quite good. Overall I have dined here over and over for almost 17 years now and I have never had a complaint, a bad meal or anything that ever went the slightest bit askew. There are not too many restaurants you can say that about. I will continue trekking out for some of the best food in the area. read more

I grew up in Chelsea, so I witnessed this town's total transformation over the past 10-15 years. It's gone from being much more rural to being somewhat of a bedroom community to Ann Arbor. I think that overall it's a good thing, and that the Common Grill and Purple Rose Theatre had a huge part in revitalizing the downtown. I can remember a time when many of the businesses on Main St. were either closed or in the process of closing. Both of these establishments really helped to bring folks into town to discover everything else Chelsea had to offer. I used to think that the Common Grill was too pricey, but I realize, years later, that it's only pricey compared to other Chelsea restaurants. However, Big Boy, this ain't! So, these days, a bit older and wiser, I don't sweat paying a little more for food that's truly quality. The rolls are ridiculously addictive (I think they put some sort of cheese/butter concoction into them that makes them irresistible), so that's a good start. Pretty much all of the salads are fresh and tasty, and I've really not been let down by an entree. Any fish/seafood you get here will be perfectly cooked, and taste extraordinarily fresh. The only downside is that sometimes things in here get a little too noisy. The openness, wood floors, brick walls, etc. set a great mood, but that also can mean there's a whole lot of sound bouncing around during a rush. A tip: You can buy those addictive rolls by the tray, uncooked, then take 'em home and cook them quickly for your dinner party. You can also get them "to-go" from the back entrance, which is a bit of a dangerous thing if you're commuting. I wind up eating a few too many buttery balls of doughy goodness on the way home! read more

Common Grill - New American Near Me - Chelsea, Michigan

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