It would appear that Commons 1882 takes their food and beverages very serious. I have not yet indulged in a cocktail but the drink menu looks refreshing. I've had several lunchtime business meetings in the lounge and the same bearded gentleman has been our waiter. Both times I ordered the special and the daily soup. Today I ordered the fried oyster sandwich with a lime and siracha slaw. The soup was a velvety carrot and cauliflower. Both, like before, were delicious. The server is very skilled in being extremely attentive without any unnecessary interruptions which is great during a "lunch meeting." Overall, I recommend this place and will continue to be a customer. The food and service are excellent. It's a rustic/elegant atmosphere and has a great intimate patio.
(5)
Zebu F.
This place is the best. It's a gem in the downtown. You won't find sliders like this anywhere else. Or a cucumber vodka infusion.
(5)
Emma S.
Best and juiciest burger I've ever had! The sweet potato jojos were amazing. I really liked the interior- the old photos were a great touch.
(5)
Sonya H.
We go out weekly for date night and decided to try Commons 1882 today. Service: We were warmly greeted and seated immediatly. Our drinks, appetizer, & starters were served promptly. Entrees lagged a tish but not enough to warrant concern. And dessert was swift. Substitution on one entree was granted without question. All entrees were prepared exactly as ordered. Food: Very good!! We had the special appetizer, pepper jack cheese curds with Sriracha dipping sauce - spicy but not over the top; just different enough to be special. I had the surf and turf dinner special. My scallops were not at all chewy - prepared expertly. My filet was scrumptious, perfect execution of medium. Also enjoyed the crispy artichoke hearts and veggie side. My starter salad was a healthy portion. My husband had the Caprese BLT and enjoyed the different spin on an old favorite sandwich. Prices: Appetizer, drinks, sandwich, dessert were all priced about average but my surf and turf special was about $10 more than I expected - it was excellent though. Overall, I felt the pricing was reasonable for the quantity and quality of food. Overall: I was pleased with the service and food! We'll be back, especially for a special occasion or celebration!
(5)
Jeremy L.
I like what this place is attempting to do, as well as their tap list. For that, I'll give them 4 stars. We talked to a gentleman who I think was an owner. He mentioned wishing he could drop the place in to the Pearl in Portland. As I work in the Pearl, I can understand what he's going for. That said... I have suggestions. Prices: Oddly enough, I felt the food was crazy high, but the drinks were low. There's got to be something in the $12-5 range for people to eat for dinner. The apps were good, but overpriced and tiny. We ordered 3 and left starving (to go someplace else for dinner, btw). As for beer, you could go as high as $5/6 for a pint when you're offering such great options. Also, $7 pints of high gravity beer are silly. Opt for 10oz pours for your pint price. (more on glassware below) Beer: GREAT selection. I'll be back when I'm in town for this reason alone. Best I've ever seen in Billings. That said, if you're gonna rock such a great beer menu, up your glassware game. Shaker pints aren't beer snob glassware. You also shouldn't be serving your premium pours and high gravity beers in full size pours. Snifter/Tulip glasses are basically expected for those beers, and you wouldn't have to charge so much more for them. Or do, they're premium, but people give people the chance to have more than one beer with a smaller pour. Food: The quality of the apps were great, but the portions were super tiny. We really wanted drinks and snacks, but ended up hungry. We'd already spent so much on apps that we didn't want to drop $28 a plate each for dinner. Add some medium price point options, at least in the bar side. Service: Bartender is awesome. Super nice guy. My parents think he's great, and were glad to see he was working when they took me there. Overall, dig what this place is setting up to do, but don't think they're there yet. You've got a prime shot at being the first legit gastropub in Billings, make it happen!
(4)
Bart M.
My family ate dinner here last night. Cocktails were superb! The Lamb Terrile appetizer was unbelievably delish! I had the lamb burger for my main course and I gotta tell you, that was probably the best lamb I've had in years!! Absolutely fantastic!
(4)
Stephanie K.
Pretty good. The drink menu looks fantastic, too bad I had to drive. We started with the mushrooms and chorizo, served with bread. Definitely a hearty appetizer. My SO wants me to make this at home. We shared a Korean taco, it was okay, seemed a bit salty and one dimensional. The iced tea was fresh, but no Splenda, only pink stuff.. Dessert looked awesome, too bad we were full. Service, top notch. Best wait staff I have seen in Montana. One star off for the signs for the bathrooms are at waist level rather than eye level. And in flowery cursive. Please just an easier sign to see! A very nice place, the parking lot is a bit tight, it was a challenge to get out. Definitely worth a visit. The portions are large, we split an appetizer and entree and left stuffed!
(4)
Bill N.
Amazed and amazing I am amazed by some of the reviews denigrating this place. Wine that is supposedly corked (you cannot cork a wine with a plastic cork). Who are these people? Did you have to pay for the wine you refused? I will bet You did not. Having experienced the West Coast or New York does not qualify you as a restaurant critic. I have been writing reviews for over 40 years. I have written these in 43 countries. I wrote a wine guide when I was 25. I am an amateur compared to somebody like Jason Corebridge but I am telling you this is already an excellent place to eat and everybody is still on a pretty steep learning curve. It is going to keep getting better. For all of you pseudo-experts rattling on about "slimy prime rib, here is my better take. Simple dishes like prime rib get a sophisticated cooking treatment that seals in and gives you an outstanding taste. The lamb burger rivals the flavor of tagine I have eaten repeatedly in Morocco. Ditto for the lamb terrine. The chef balances the gaminess of lamb with a sophisticated infusion of sweetness. Desserts are fascinating, never boring, and give you a great finish to a fine meal. Oh, I should not forget the outstanding bar too. Yes they have improvements to make. Some of the servers need more training. A few dishes fail to impress but, in the main, it is the special food, the imaginative dishes that sparkle and make it all an experience to treasure and a place to cultivate. My advice: keep coming. Make this a community project. At the end of the day, the places worth the effort in Billings are Commons, Lilac and Harper and Madison. Some of the others are ok, but these places rise above. One day, they will all be punching it out with the big boys.
(5)
Malu S.
Exquisite locally sourced food that changes seasonally. The only bar in Billings to have infused vodka: strawberry basil, honeydew jalapeño, cucumber and blood orange. The infused vodka is reasonably priced $6/drink. Also, the bartenders can make flaming drinks-very entertaining!
(5)
Diana T.
We went early for dinner. Not only did we enjoy our entrees, but their soup d'jour was equally delicious. The appetizer we had was not bad but for what we got, was overpriced. Our server was great. She was attentive and her menu recommendations were spot on. We will definitely dine there again, sans the appetizer.
(4)
Jeremy S.
Food and service were sub par for the price. The menu is confusing and the staff seemed unprepared. The stewed tomato and steak soup was missing something fundamental, salt and flavor. And is the "eye o rib" entree a traditional ribeye or prime rib? Take your guess (I guessed wrong). Maybe with time the service will get better and the menu improve. But this is not a strong start.
(2)
Mark L.
The atmosphere was.... Ok. Had to sit upstairs and lacked any type of abidance. The server was, I think new.. She had little knowledge of the menu, and could not offer a solid suggestion. As for the menu, I will say, that the tomato and bean Brochette was the best thing, I have had in a long time at a restaurant! The main course that I had.. Round of prime rib was, well slimy. The flAvors were great, but the combination of all soft foods stacked in a bowel left nothing but a slimy mess I could not eat. Will I be back?? Maybe only for the Brochette... Another issue I had was the price! For three it was $150.00 and only two drinks and an ice tea, left me feeling... Disappointed.
(2)
Stacie S.
We went tonight for dinner to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. Service was way above average. Our server was very attentive. I had 2 mixed drinks with the strawberry rhubarb gin. I liked them both. We had the pork rind starter. It was a huge portion and a nice change from typical appetizers. The soup was a corn beef and cabbage. We are going to try to recreate it ourselves we enjoyed it so much. My husband ordered the avacado butter burger. He said it was the best burger he has ever eaten! I got the baseball size serloin that was cooked perfectly. I am glad I added the mushrooms, they were very flavorful. My favorite was the corn risotto. I could have just eaten that and been fulfilled. We had 2 desserts. The bourbon creme Brule was outstanding. I would go back for that item alone. Then we had the apple crumble with cinnamon ice cream. That ice cream transformed a simple dessert into a perfect treat. We will be back with our children and friends to share with them this culinary treasure!
(5)
Tiffany M.
This is a classic example of over thinking food. They just try to add to many things to one burger and it becomes a jumbled mess. I appreciate the attempt to create bold flavors but they missed the mark. Also their drink prices are sky high.
(2)
Anne L.
No bad, but disappointed. Expected great and received middle of the road. The house salad is just greens tossed with way too much vinegar, my husband couldn't even finish his salad. Got the Lamb terrine app and just okay, the sweet potatoes were under cooked. Entrees were the best part. Mushroom pasta, a revamped version of the old Cafe DeCamp was yummy. My husbands streak was also well cooked. Again, not bad but disappointing. Hope they work out the kinks! I will try again later.
(3)
Sara H.
NOM! Went in for lunch, I had the chicken dip sandwich, it was delicious. The potatoes had a very interesting sauce on them that were super yummy as well. I sat at the bar and Tim was super nice, and gave me samples of drinks and the soup, needless to say it was a pleasant experience. Order a cocktail, they use all fresh squeezed juices. Will definitely be back for dinner.
(4)
Beth N.
Great place for lunch or an after work cocktail. Service is awesome and menu is interesting but not weird.
(5)
Bruce T.
A little eclectic. Great food in a very downtown setting. I highly recommend this restaurant!
(4)
Brenda S.
We really enjoyed our meal from start to finish, noting that every bite was absolutely delicious!
(5)
Hannah B.
The BEST Billings had to offer!! Incredibly talented and friendly bartenders and amazing food! Not to mention the unique environment!
(5)
J P.
Stopped by for a drink Friday night, stayed for two because the bartender Tim was great. Had some good conversation about crafted cocktails and the guy went out of his way to hollow out an apple for a stellar appletini with unique presentation for my wife. Tim was knowledgeable and enjoyed sharing that wealth, very sharp cat. Also, the smoked old fashion is phenomenal, I'd recommend it to anyone.
(5)
Annie G.
We really wanted this place to be good so hopefully some feedback will help. First, the drinks were very good but they took sooooo long to make. Another bartender is necessary or they need to speed up a little. The food wasn't very good. One person had the duck special, which the table agreed was the only good dish. I had the broken ravioli which was basically a mess of pasta pieces with whatever was left on the counter-- about 4 mismatched sauces that tasted kind of tart. Another person had the lamb burger, which, like the lamb appetizer, was way too sweet. The salad was just spring mix with grated cheese-- for the price maybe add some croutons, nuts, other veggies, or other texture. I think with some menu revisions and easing up on the honey, this place could be a lot better.
(2)
Don C.
Amazing food and very friendly staff. Drinks are the best in town. Very talented bartender. And we always leave full and happy. Never had a bad meal. Always 5 star. Can't wait for a fun summer on their patio.
(5)
Sarah M.
Dinner was marginal at best. Wine bottle ordered was corked and both of the people we informed said "I don't know what that means" I am quoting them word for word, one was the owner. If you are going to serve wine you should probably know a little bit about it. Server was very nice and tried very hard however was very green. I believe in notifying management before posting reviews and the owner wasn't really interested in feedback and was more interested in letting me know I was the only person with a "problem". Overall I would say skip this place.
(1)
Adam G.
Avocado Butter Burger!!!! Wow, despite the fact that I hate avocados this burger landed on my top 3 best burgers I've ever had. Highly recommend it!
(5)
Lingering O.
We want to love this place--but have a few suggestions! To start, this place is proud of it's food and charges you prices that say that. With that said, as a foodie and frequent diner in Billings, I expect more bang for my (many) bucks. I hope Commons take this to heart and considers our suggestions: 1) SLOW DOWN. Thursday night dining at 6:30 pm and staff seemed to be literally running around. This made us feel rushed and tense--though the hustle didn't make our service feel any faster. It's fine dining, not Applebees at lunch hour. 2) Seat guests, remove extra place settings and give them some water. Let us know who will be serving us. We waited 5 minutes for anyone to acknowlege us, a second server asked us about wine and then our server came later... we had to request water and again felt like we were in the center of rush-hour. 3) Ambiance: Lower the lights! How about a candle or a vase on the tables? Add some classy salt and pepper grinders (get rid of those shakers)...the tables were very not 35$/plate worthy. Extra silverware on our table doesn't count. 4) Bread, amuse bouche? We LOVE Enzo---bread and oil dipping; Lilac, bread and butter, additionally, even our friends in the chain business Outback--bread and butter, Texas Roadhouse hot fresh buns, and our favorite mexican restaurant--chips and salsa, offer a little somethin'-somethin' to sample before the meal. Instead, we sat hungry and watched the people run by. 5) My biggest disappointment is probably the dinner salad. I'll just say it: It's no longer "fancy" to serve the mixed greens straight from the Costco container! We all go to Costco!If we wanted that, we'd stay home!s The dinner salad had nothing handcut, no herbs, no veggies--not a tomato or cucumber, garbanzo bean or crouton was to be found. ZERO love to this single and only (See #4) teaser as to what offering this kitchen had. The salad, as a prelude to the meal, was ominous foreshadowing. The only non-Costco touch was a bit of shaved parmesan, but otherwise thoroughly disappointing. I cannot think of a single--not one---restaurant in Billings that pays a little attention to the salad. 6) I was hungry and settled on the steak, but really don't like having to hack through gristle and fat on my meat. The striploin (?) while cooked exactly as ordered was flavorless and tough despite a rather yummy green sauce. OUr server shared that the other beef offering (can't remember the cut) was "tougher". A quarter of my steak was fat and gristle--for $30+, I want to be able to eat the whole thing! Please consider our suggestions--or even criticisms, it really is to make it a better place to dine! We truly spend too much money dining out and are willing to give Commons another try in a few months, but until then, we have already named a few places we will be eating while we await some evolution in what Commons has fell a little short in offering. Good Luck!
My husband and I finally made it to Commons for dinner. It had it's ups and downs. The service was kind of crazy. Our waitperson was friendly but rushed. It took quite awhile for her to notice us. Our drinks also took awhile to arrive. My husband had his salad delivered (on a very warm plate) when he requested it be served with his entree, a tapas. The food was pretty good. My husband had the beef with gorgonzola and arugua on flatbread and a salad; I had the Ceasar salad and mushrooms with chorizo. The mushroom dish was a hit. Delicious! My salad was...unusual. I didn't like the fatty chunks of bacon or stringy onions on it, and there was not much in the way of dressing. My husband liked his beef and flatbread, though there was a certain limpness in the flatbread. HIs salad, he said, was "soaked" in dressing. But the highlight of the dinner was the waitress arriving with the check while we were still eating. She asked if we were going to have dessert, then when we declined, she plopped the check on the table and told us "No pressure!" Not good. We are really hoping the service improves along with the food, because we want the owners to succeed. Get the wait persons some serious training and spiff up the food. Then we'll be happy to go back.
(2)
Charlie D.
I've visited Commons five times now, and the first four visits were unbelievably awesome. For a brief moment, this was the best damned restaurant in Billings. The service, cocktails, and food were unparalleled. I say that with tremendous respect to the staffs of Walkers, TEN, Jake's, Enzo, The Burger Dive, and Lilac--all of whom are doing great things. The lingering effects of their first impression are the only reason they get a 3 here. My last visit there was borderline tragic. First off, the menu has been completely overhauled. Gone are some of the best dishes I ever ate anywhere...the Eye of Rib, Lamburger, Braised Root Vegetable App, New York Strip, and Bison Risotto are gone. They've been replaced by a syscotastic litany of dishes that are at best, safe...at worst, ordinary overpriced cliches. My girlfriend and I ordered a flatbread appetizer that was a poor substitute for the afore-mentioned Root Veggie App. It wasn't bad....but it wasn't why we went there in the first place. Having the faith of a spoiled brat, I decided to go big and order the Surf and Turf, a $42 special. It arrived presented well, and the lobster tail was nicely cooked. The steak, which I had ordered medium-rare, was almost completely raw. I claim no great expertise in commercial cooking--an enterprise at which I have failed to cut it numerous times--but serving up a raw steak? I couldn't have done that on my most hungover, life-hating day. I've overcooked a dish or two, but this....how on Earth does nobody catch a raw steak leaving the kitchen? I didn't raise a fuss about it. Maybe I should have, but I have personal relationships to consider, and dammit I'm still rooting for this place! The cocktails remain a consistent pleasure, the service is still quite good, and the beer selection is amazing. I'll probably give it another chance.....someday.
(3)
Rick F.
We had a lot of company who came in from out of town for Christmas and wanted a break and to treat them to a nice dinner out. Since there were 24 of us we were able to reserve the upstairs area. The food and service were outstanding, the drinks were fun as well as excellent. Greg, Tim and the crew with their great service, food, beer, and fun and unique mixed drinks made the evening a truly delightful and memorable evening for everyone which far exceeded our expectations. Hats off!
(5)
Tamara L.
We went for lunch....thought the menu was interesting and creative. We had the warm pumpkin salad, which was very good. Also we had the bison burger, ordered medium. It was over cooked and very dried out and hard to eat on that tiny crust of bread they call a bun. The candied onions on the burger were wonderful! The food was much better than the service, which was slow and messed up. Our server brought us the wrong burger (we had the bacon and egg on it), then said something like, "oh yeah, I thought it was the wrong one," after we pointed it out. Not only did she mess up our check, but it was the only thing brought promptly to table....before we even finished eating. :( Hope they work out the bugs, it has the potential to be a good addition to Billings dining scene. But not at those prices. ($50 for two for lunch)
(3)
cathy j.
Wonderful menu - fun drinks! Good service, not great but the food was well worth the trip!
(5)
Marcia R.
Excellent service both at the table and at the bar later. The food was incredible! I had the buffalo burger for lunch and also tasted my friend's chicken French dip plus sharing the dessert, which was to die for! Great atmosphere, friendly people and an honest-to-God mixologist behind the bar! In my opinion the best place in Billings!
(5)
Wilson C.
This is what Billings was missing! An amazing Gastropub that includes great drinks, beer, and food. This place makes smoked cocktails, and if you are wondering what that is, come in and ask for a smoked old fashioned! You will not be disappointed! Truly a great establishment
(5)
Don E.
Food was ok, different than expected. I would have rated higher but the waiter Tyrell was a total Jackass, he was so arrogant. They would do well to lose him, I won't be back
(3)
Jeremy F.
Excellent! We had the calamari and fish tacos and both were first class. The service was awesome. Our server was very friendly and attentive. We had great cocktails. My wife had the and I had the terrific tang and the Vieux Carre. The bartender then came to our table and offered us some Orphan Girl liquor from Butte Mt and it was amazing. Best best customer service arround!
(5)
Laura H.
My husband and I love Commons 1882! Excellent menu - great food and even better cocktails! Perfect stop for a date night.
(5)
Tom P.
We had a couple of rounds of fantastic drinks here on a random Wednesday evening. The bartender has come up with some really creative cocktails. Each drink is balanced and well-made and never too sweet. Recommend the bourbonomics, which is not on the menu but is a great drink.
(5)
Roland N.
Best drinks in Billings in the bar. Gotta try the smoked Old Fashioned. Food is good. Enjoyed the braised bison risotto.
(4)
Elizabeth S.
Wonderful service and extraordinary food. Everything was perfect! I've been there twice since they opened and was not dissapointed!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Garage Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes
Peter W.
It would appear that Commons 1882 takes their food and beverages very serious. I have not yet indulged in a cocktail but the drink menu looks refreshing. I've had several lunchtime business meetings in the lounge and the same bearded gentleman has been our waiter. Both times I ordered the special and the daily soup. Today I ordered the fried oyster sandwich with a lime and siracha slaw. The soup was a velvety carrot and cauliflower. Both, like before, were delicious. The server is very skilled in being extremely attentive without any unnecessary interruptions which is great during a "lunch meeting." Overall, I recommend this place and will continue to be a customer. The food and service are excellent. It's a rustic/elegant atmosphere and has a great intimate patio.
(5)Zebu F.
This place is the best. It's a gem in the downtown. You won't find sliders like this anywhere else. Or a cucumber vodka infusion.
(5)Emma S.
Best and juiciest burger I've ever had! The sweet potato jojos were amazing. I really liked the interior- the old photos were a great touch.
(5)Sonya H.
We go out weekly for date night and decided to try Commons 1882 today. Service: We were warmly greeted and seated immediatly. Our drinks, appetizer, & starters were served promptly. Entrees lagged a tish but not enough to warrant concern. And dessert was swift. Substitution on one entree was granted without question. All entrees were prepared exactly as ordered. Food: Very good!! We had the special appetizer, pepper jack cheese curds with Sriracha dipping sauce - spicy but not over the top; just different enough to be special. I had the surf and turf dinner special. My scallops were not at all chewy - prepared expertly. My filet was scrumptious, perfect execution of medium. Also enjoyed the crispy artichoke hearts and veggie side. My starter salad was a healthy portion. My husband had the Caprese BLT and enjoyed the different spin on an old favorite sandwich. Prices: Appetizer, drinks, sandwich, dessert were all priced about average but my surf and turf special was about $10 more than I expected - it was excellent though. Overall, I felt the pricing was reasonable for the quantity and quality of food. Overall: I was pleased with the service and food! We'll be back, especially for a special occasion or celebration!
(5)Jeremy L.
I like what this place is attempting to do, as well as their tap list. For that, I'll give them 4 stars. We talked to a gentleman who I think was an owner. He mentioned wishing he could drop the place in to the Pearl in Portland. As I work in the Pearl, I can understand what he's going for. That said... I have suggestions. Prices: Oddly enough, I felt the food was crazy high, but the drinks were low. There's got to be something in the $12-5 range for people to eat for dinner. The apps were good, but overpriced and tiny. We ordered 3 and left starving (to go someplace else for dinner, btw). As for beer, you could go as high as $5/6 for a pint when you're offering such great options. Also, $7 pints of high gravity beer are silly. Opt for 10oz pours for your pint price. (more on glassware below) Beer: GREAT selection. I'll be back when I'm in town for this reason alone. Best I've ever seen in Billings. That said, if you're gonna rock such a great beer menu, up your glassware game. Shaker pints aren't beer snob glassware. You also shouldn't be serving your premium pours and high gravity beers in full size pours. Snifter/Tulip glasses are basically expected for those beers, and you wouldn't have to charge so much more for them. Or do, they're premium, but people give people the chance to have more than one beer with a smaller pour. Food: The quality of the apps were great, but the portions were super tiny. We really wanted drinks and snacks, but ended up hungry. We'd already spent so much on apps that we didn't want to drop $28 a plate each for dinner. Add some medium price point options, at least in the bar side. Service: Bartender is awesome. Super nice guy. My parents think he's great, and were glad to see he was working when they took me there. Overall, dig what this place is setting up to do, but don't think they're there yet. You've got a prime shot at being the first legit gastropub in Billings, make it happen!
(4)Bart M.
My family ate dinner here last night. Cocktails were superb! The Lamb Terrile appetizer was unbelievably delish! I had the lamb burger for my main course and I gotta tell you, that was probably the best lamb I've had in years!! Absolutely fantastic!
(4)Stephanie K.
Pretty good. The drink menu looks fantastic, too bad I had to drive. We started with the mushrooms and chorizo, served with bread. Definitely a hearty appetizer. My SO wants me to make this at home. We shared a Korean taco, it was okay, seemed a bit salty and one dimensional. The iced tea was fresh, but no Splenda, only pink stuff.. Dessert looked awesome, too bad we were full. Service, top notch. Best wait staff I have seen in Montana. One star off for the signs for the bathrooms are at waist level rather than eye level. And in flowery cursive. Please just an easier sign to see! A very nice place, the parking lot is a bit tight, it was a challenge to get out. Definitely worth a visit. The portions are large, we split an appetizer and entree and left stuffed!
(4)Bill N.
Amazed and amazing I am amazed by some of the reviews denigrating this place. Wine that is supposedly corked (you cannot cork a wine with a plastic cork). Who are these people? Did you have to pay for the wine you refused? I will bet You did not. Having experienced the West Coast or New York does not qualify you as a restaurant critic. I have been writing reviews for over 40 years. I have written these in 43 countries. I wrote a wine guide when I was 25. I am an amateur compared to somebody like Jason Corebridge but I am telling you this is already an excellent place to eat and everybody is still on a pretty steep learning curve. It is going to keep getting better. For all of you pseudo-experts rattling on about "slimy prime rib, here is my better take. Simple dishes like prime rib get a sophisticated cooking treatment that seals in and gives you an outstanding taste. The lamb burger rivals the flavor of tagine I have eaten repeatedly in Morocco. Ditto for the lamb terrine. The chef balances the gaminess of lamb with a sophisticated infusion of sweetness. Desserts are fascinating, never boring, and give you a great finish to a fine meal. Oh, I should not forget the outstanding bar too. Yes they have improvements to make. Some of the servers need more training. A few dishes fail to impress but, in the main, it is the special food, the imaginative dishes that sparkle and make it all an experience to treasure and a place to cultivate. My advice: keep coming. Make this a community project. At the end of the day, the places worth the effort in Billings are Commons, Lilac and Harper and Madison. Some of the others are ok, but these places rise above. One day, they will all be punching it out with the big boys.
(5)Malu S.
Exquisite locally sourced food that changes seasonally. The only bar in Billings to have infused vodka: strawberry basil, honeydew jalapeño, cucumber and blood orange. The infused vodka is reasonably priced $6/drink. Also, the bartenders can make flaming drinks-very entertaining!
(5)Diana T.
We went early for dinner. Not only did we enjoy our entrees, but their soup d'jour was equally delicious. The appetizer we had was not bad but for what we got, was overpriced. Our server was great. She was attentive and her menu recommendations were spot on. We will definitely dine there again, sans the appetizer.
(4)Jeremy S.
Food and service were sub par for the price. The menu is confusing and the staff seemed unprepared. The stewed tomato and steak soup was missing something fundamental, salt and flavor. And is the "eye o rib" entree a traditional ribeye or prime rib? Take your guess (I guessed wrong). Maybe with time the service will get better and the menu improve. But this is not a strong start.
(2)Mark L.
The atmosphere was.... Ok. Had to sit upstairs and lacked any type of abidance. The server was, I think new.. She had little knowledge of the menu, and could not offer a solid suggestion. As for the menu, I will say, that the tomato and bean Brochette was the best thing, I have had in a long time at a restaurant! The main course that I had.. Round of prime rib was, well slimy. The flAvors were great, but the combination of all soft foods stacked in a bowel left nothing but a slimy mess I could not eat. Will I be back?? Maybe only for the Brochette... Another issue I had was the price! For three it was $150.00 and only two drinks and an ice tea, left me feeling... Disappointed.
(2)Stacie S.
We went tonight for dinner to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. Service was way above average. Our server was very attentive. I had 2 mixed drinks with the strawberry rhubarb gin. I liked them both. We had the pork rind starter. It was a huge portion and a nice change from typical appetizers. The soup was a corn beef and cabbage. We are going to try to recreate it ourselves we enjoyed it so much. My husband ordered the avacado butter burger. He said it was the best burger he has ever eaten! I got the baseball size serloin that was cooked perfectly. I am glad I added the mushrooms, they were very flavorful. My favorite was the corn risotto. I could have just eaten that and been fulfilled. We had 2 desserts. The bourbon creme Brule was outstanding. I would go back for that item alone. Then we had the apple crumble with cinnamon ice cream. That ice cream transformed a simple dessert into a perfect treat. We will be back with our children and friends to share with them this culinary treasure!
(5)Tiffany M.
This is a classic example of over thinking food. They just try to add to many things to one burger and it becomes a jumbled mess. I appreciate the attempt to create bold flavors but they missed the mark. Also their drink prices are sky high.
(2)Anne L.
No bad, but disappointed. Expected great and received middle of the road. The house salad is just greens tossed with way too much vinegar, my husband couldn't even finish his salad. Got the Lamb terrine app and just okay, the sweet potatoes were under cooked. Entrees were the best part. Mushroom pasta, a revamped version of the old Cafe DeCamp was yummy. My husbands streak was also well cooked. Again, not bad but disappointing. Hope they work out the kinks! I will try again later.
(3)Sara H.
NOM! Went in for lunch, I had the chicken dip sandwich, it was delicious. The potatoes had a very interesting sauce on them that were super yummy as well. I sat at the bar and Tim was super nice, and gave me samples of drinks and the soup, needless to say it was a pleasant experience. Order a cocktail, they use all fresh squeezed juices. Will definitely be back for dinner.
(4)Beth N.
Great place for lunch or an after work cocktail. Service is awesome and menu is interesting but not weird.
(5)Bruce T.
A little eclectic. Great food in a very downtown setting. I highly recommend this restaurant!
(4)Brenda S.
We really enjoyed our meal from start to finish, noting that every bite was absolutely delicious!
(5)Hannah B.
The BEST Billings had to offer!! Incredibly talented and friendly bartenders and amazing food! Not to mention the unique environment!
(5)J P.
Stopped by for a drink Friday night, stayed for two because the bartender Tim was great. Had some good conversation about crafted cocktails and the guy went out of his way to hollow out an apple for a stellar appletini with unique presentation for my wife. Tim was knowledgeable and enjoyed sharing that wealth, very sharp cat. Also, the smoked old fashion is phenomenal, I'd recommend it to anyone.
(5)Annie G.
We really wanted this place to be good so hopefully some feedback will help. First, the drinks were very good but they took sooooo long to make. Another bartender is necessary or they need to speed up a little. The food wasn't very good. One person had the duck special, which the table agreed was the only good dish. I had the broken ravioli which was basically a mess of pasta pieces with whatever was left on the counter-- about 4 mismatched sauces that tasted kind of tart. Another person had the lamb burger, which, like the lamb appetizer, was way too sweet. The salad was just spring mix with grated cheese-- for the price maybe add some croutons, nuts, other veggies, or other texture. I think with some menu revisions and easing up on the honey, this place could be a lot better.
(2)Don C.
Amazing food and very friendly staff. Drinks are the best in town. Very talented bartender. And we always leave full and happy. Never had a bad meal. Always 5 star. Can't wait for a fun summer on their patio.
(5)Sarah M.
Dinner was marginal at best. Wine bottle ordered was corked and both of the people we informed said "I don't know what that means" I am quoting them word for word, one was the owner. If you are going to serve wine you should probably know a little bit about it. Server was very nice and tried very hard however was very green. I believe in notifying management before posting reviews and the owner wasn't really interested in feedback and was more interested in letting me know I was the only person with a "problem". Overall I would say skip this place.
(1)Adam G.
Avocado Butter Burger!!!! Wow, despite the fact that I hate avocados this burger landed on my top 3 best burgers I've ever had. Highly recommend it!
(5)Lingering O.
We want to love this place--but have a few suggestions! To start, this place is proud of it's food and charges you prices that say that. With that said, as a foodie and frequent diner in Billings, I expect more bang for my (many) bucks. I hope Commons take this to heart and considers our suggestions: 1) SLOW DOWN. Thursday night dining at 6:30 pm and staff seemed to be literally running around. This made us feel rushed and tense--though the hustle didn't make our service feel any faster. It's fine dining, not Applebees at lunch hour. 2) Seat guests, remove extra place settings and give them some water. Let us know who will be serving us. We waited 5 minutes for anyone to acknowlege us, a second server asked us about wine and then our server came later... we had to request water and again felt like we were in the center of rush-hour. 3) Ambiance: Lower the lights! How about a candle or a vase on the tables? Add some classy salt and pepper grinders (get rid of those shakers)...the tables were very not 35$/plate worthy. Extra silverware on our table doesn't count. 4) Bread, amuse bouche? We LOVE Enzo---bread and oil dipping; Lilac, bread and butter, additionally, even our friends in the chain business Outback--bread and butter, Texas Roadhouse hot fresh buns, and our favorite mexican restaurant--chips and salsa, offer a little somethin'-somethin' to sample before the meal. Instead, we sat hungry and watched the people run by. 5) My biggest disappointment is probably the dinner salad. I'll just say it: It's no longer "fancy" to serve the mixed greens straight from the Costco container! We all go to Costco!If we wanted that, we'd stay home!s The dinner salad had nothing handcut, no herbs, no veggies--not a tomato or cucumber, garbanzo bean or crouton was to be found. ZERO love to this single and only (See #4) teaser as to what offering this kitchen had. The salad, as a prelude to the meal, was ominous foreshadowing. The only non-Costco touch was a bit of shaved parmesan, but otherwise thoroughly disappointing. I cannot think of a single--not one---restaurant in Billings that pays a little attention to the salad. 6) I was hungry and settled on the steak, but really don't like having to hack through gristle and fat on my meat. The striploin (?) while cooked exactly as ordered was flavorless and tough despite a rather yummy green sauce. OUr server shared that the other beef offering (can't remember the cut) was "tougher". A quarter of my steak was fat and gristle--for $30+, I want to be able to eat the whole thing! Please consider our suggestions--or even criticisms, it really is to make it a better place to dine! We truly spend too much money dining out and are willing to give Commons another try in a few months, but until then, we have already named a few places we will be eating while we await some evolution in what Commons has fell a little short in offering. Good Luck!
(2)Martha R.
We had a wonderful meal with attentive, prompt service. Didn't get a five because the lime cilantro rice on the special didn't have any lime flavor and there was too little of the delicious orange sauce on the side of the plate rather than on top of the entrée. We will definitely be back
(4)Jean A.
My husband and I finally made it to Commons for dinner. It had it's ups and downs. The service was kind of crazy. Our waitperson was friendly but rushed. It took quite awhile for her to notice us. Our drinks also took awhile to arrive. My husband had his salad delivered (on a very warm plate) when he requested it be served with his entree, a tapas. The food was pretty good. My husband had the beef with gorgonzola and arugua on flatbread and a salad; I had the Ceasar salad and mushrooms with chorizo. The mushroom dish was a hit. Delicious! My salad was...unusual. I didn't like the fatty chunks of bacon or stringy onions on it, and there was not much in the way of dressing. My husband liked his beef and flatbread, though there was a certain limpness in the flatbread. HIs salad, he said, was "soaked" in dressing. But the highlight of the dinner was the waitress arriving with the check while we were still eating. She asked if we were going to have dessert, then when we declined, she plopped the check on the table and told us "No pressure!" Not good. We are really hoping the service improves along with the food, because we want the owners to succeed. Get the wait persons some serious training and spiff up the food. Then we'll be happy to go back.
(2)Charlie D.
I've visited Commons five times now, and the first four visits were unbelievably awesome. For a brief moment, this was the best damned restaurant in Billings. The service, cocktails, and food were unparalleled. I say that with tremendous respect to the staffs of Walkers, TEN, Jake's, Enzo, The Burger Dive, and Lilac--all of whom are doing great things. The lingering effects of their first impression are the only reason they get a 3 here. My last visit there was borderline tragic. First off, the menu has been completely overhauled. Gone are some of the best dishes I ever ate anywhere...the Eye of Rib, Lamburger, Braised Root Vegetable App, New York Strip, and Bison Risotto are gone. They've been replaced by a syscotastic litany of dishes that are at best, safe...at worst, ordinary overpriced cliches. My girlfriend and I ordered a flatbread appetizer that was a poor substitute for the afore-mentioned Root Veggie App. It wasn't bad....but it wasn't why we went there in the first place. Having the faith of a spoiled brat, I decided to go big and order the Surf and Turf, a $42 special. It arrived presented well, and the lobster tail was nicely cooked. The steak, which I had ordered medium-rare, was almost completely raw. I claim no great expertise in commercial cooking--an enterprise at which I have failed to cut it numerous times--but serving up a raw steak? I couldn't have done that on my most hungover, life-hating day. I've overcooked a dish or two, but this....how on Earth does nobody catch a raw steak leaving the kitchen? I didn't raise a fuss about it. Maybe I should have, but I have personal relationships to consider, and dammit I'm still rooting for this place! The cocktails remain a consistent pleasure, the service is still quite good, and the beer selection is amazing. I'll probably give it another chance.....someday.
(3)Rick F.
We had a lot of company who came in from out of town for Christmas and wanted a break and to treat them to a nice dinner out. Since there were 24 of us we were able to reserve the upstairs area. The food and service were outstanding, the drinks were fun as well as excellent. Greg, Tim and the crew with their great service, food, beer, and fun and unique mixed drinks made the evening a truly delightful and memorable evening for everyone which far exceeded our expectations. Hats off!
(5)Tamara L.
We went for lunch....thought the menu was interesting and creative. We had the warm pumpkin salad, which was very good. Also we had the bison burger, ordered medium. It was over cooked and very dried out and hard to eat on that tiny crust of bread they call a bun. The candied onions on the burger were wonderful! The food was much better than the service, which was slow and messed up. Our server brought us the wrong burger (we had the bacon and egg on it), then said something like, "oh yeah, I thought it was the wrong one," after we pointed it out. Not only did she mess up our check, but it was the only thing brought promptly to table....before we even finished eating. :( Hope they work out the bugs, it has the potential to be a good addition to Billings dining scene. But not at those prices. ($50 for two for lunch)
(3)cathy j.
Wonderful menu - fun drinks! Good service, not great but the food was well worth the trip!
(5)Marcia R.
Excellent service both at the table and at the bar later. The food was incredible! I had the buffalo burger for lunch and also tasted my friend's chicken French dip plus sharing the dessert, which was to die for! Great atmosphere, friendly people and an honest-to-God mixologist behind the bar! In my opinion the best place in Billings!
(5)Wilson C.
This is what Billings was missing! An amazing Gastropub that includes great drinks, beer, and food. This place makes smoked cocktails, and if you are wondering what that is, come in and ask for a smoked old fashioned! You will not be disappointed! Truly a great establishment
(5)Don E.
Food was ok, different than expected. I would have rated higher but the waiter Tyrell was a total Jackass, he was so arrogant. They would do well to lose him, I won't be back
(3)Jeremy F.
Excellent! We had the calamari and fish tacos and both were first class. The service was awesome. Our server was very friendly and attentive. We had great cocktails. My wife had the and I had the terrific tang and the Vieux Carre. The bartender then came to our table and offered us some Orphan Girl liquor from Butte Mt and it was amazing. Best best customer service arround!
(5)Laura H.
My husband and I love Commons 1882! Excellent menu - great food and even better cocktails! Perfect stop for a date night.
(5)Tom P.
We had a couple of rounds of fantastic drinks here on a random Wednesday evening. The bartender has come up with some really creative cocktails. Each drink is balanced and well-made and never too sweet. Recommend the bourbonomics, which is not on the menu but is a great drink.
(5)Roland N.
Best drinks in Billings in the bar. Gotta try the smoked Old Fashioned. Food is good. Enjoyed the braised bison risotto.
(4)Elizabeth S.
Wonderful service and extraordinary food. Everything was perfect! I've been there twice since they opened and was not dissapointed!
(5)