DESCRIPTION: Nice selection of vegetarian items. Great nachos and burritos. Make sure you check out their monthly specials. Also a great place for a weekend breakfast (Huevos con Chorizo and gourmet coffee!). The service varies from so-so to ultra-sucky though. Be prepared for an "eccentric" crowd. Reasonably priced.
DATE: 2002-08-09
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 4
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Nachos, latin platter, mediterranian platter, monthly specials.

Cute place don't go beyond the appetizers
DESCRIPTION: This is a cute, hep place, which makes many overlook its serious problems. The menu, especially the monthly specials, look interesting, but they really don't know what they are doing. The appetizers are often good, but the main courses are always a dissappointment (e.g., plastic wrap still on the fish). There is a nice beer selection.
DATE: 2003-05-11
FOODRATING : 2
SERVICERATING : 4
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 4
RECOMMENDED DISHES : appetizer

One of a kind
DESCRIPTION: Their monthly specials are often something you never heard of and cannot get anywhere else (in the US anyway). The stir fry is the best around, especially the Indonesian peanut! Rarely have had a bad meal there over several years of visits. Although, like most small places near college towns, sometimes the help is still in training which may affect service. If you get an experienced waiter - no problems! Great beer selection.
DATE: 2004-06-17
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Stir fry, specials

Yum
DESCRIPTION: The Common Grill would have to be my favorite restaurant in the whole of America. I live in Australia and every year I come over to spend the summer in Jackson. As soon as I fly in the Common Grill is the first place I go. I'm in love with their bread rolls! And the staff are not half bad either! Kidding, they're fabulous!
DATE: 2001-04-12
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : I cant pick just one they are all so good!

Excellent Bistro
DESCRIPTION: The food is excellent, always fresh and delicious. Warm and inviting casual atmoshere, wonderful service. Chef makes wonderful use of in-season local ingredients. Not pretentious. Just delightful.
DATE: 2002-08-22
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : all of them

My Favorite By Far!
DESCRIPTION: The Common Grill is my all time favorite restaurant. The atmosphere is awesome and accommodating no matter what it is you're looking for. The food is always satisfying.
DATE: 2002-08-24
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : my personal favorite is chicken fettucini Chef Craig, though sometimes I can't resist the sea bass, always a tough decision to make

Phenomenal Firecracker Shrimp
DESCRIPTION: Dear God, thank you for putting Craig Common in a kitchen and for the succulent morsels which are served up at his restaurant. The wine selection, the appetizer choices, and the ever changing meal specials just may be the most difficult decisions facing customers. The service is top notch and the atmosphere whispers of casual decadence. A must for anyone in the area.
DATE: 2002-11-10
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Firecracker Shrimp, White Wines, Sirloin Salad (and, of course, the bread!!)

Why did I ever wait so long?
DESCRIPTION: I had always heard about "how fantastic The Common Grill was", and "how I'd be craving the food'". Well they all were right. I was lucky enough to be treated to a business lunch there and wow! (like the person before me-- thank you, god for giving that man the knowledge to use his talents. It's worth the trip-- really... even in the snow...
DATE: 2003-01-07
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Anything, especially the rolls

A Bad Night at the Common Grill
DESCRIPTION: We went to the Common Grill recently. We were told we'd be seated at eight pm. We were not seated until nine. We got our first orders (salads, and in my case oysters) at about 9:30. The oysters, while not spoiled, had obviously been opened early in the evening. And then we waited. I finally called the waitress over (not her fault)and told her she had two minutes to deliver our entrees. She brought them in one minute. While the food was good, it simply did not make up for the late seating. Also, the acoustics are so bad that it's impossible to hear across the table. Someone from the restaurant came over to the table to apologize and offered us some desserts. I have eaten in many great restaurants in the US, Europe and South America. This was a truly bad dining experience.
DATE: 2003-05-06
FOODRATING : 6
SERVICERATING : 2
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 2

Best in midwest
DESCRIPTION: I have eaten all over the world and the food here is world class. A treat. Sensational in a land of over-priced pretentious joints catering to inexperienced eaters who think the worst is great because the presentation is good. Most local people have never dined, just eaten. Here you may dine.
DATE: 2003-06-29
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 10

Hey ...
DESCRIPTION: I love the place...it's great... but I'm biased..I worked there as a saute chef for 2 years.
DATE: 2003-10-30
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Firecracker shrimp...walleye... Tuna....

poor food at common grill
DESCRIPTION: Well it turns out that a couple that we know had some free tickets for the Purple Rose due to illness. They offered the tickets to us and we accepted them. They told us that they usually go to the Common Grill after the show with a group of about 20 people. They want to know is we wanted to come along. We told them yes-big mistake! Here is a synopsis of my experience. 1. Ordered the Onion Soup. It was salty and the onions were crunchy (undercooked) 2. The salad was very good 3. Now the entr e . Terrible. I order the Flat steak (what the heck ever that was) for 22.00. I ordered it medium rare and it came well done. It was tough like leather. Cold and had very little taste. The steak was scored only on one side when cooked? The portabella fries were just terrible. I don t like mushrooms buy my wife does, she could not even eat them. There could not have been more than 4 (FOUR OUNCES) of meat in the meal. A shame for what you charge at your restaurant. 4. Normally I would have talked to the manager. But we were with 18 other people and I didn t feel that I wanted to wait for another dinner to me served me. 5. I know that I can get busy when large groups show up. But there was time enough for our waitress to come to the table and ask how is / was your meal . Never happen. 6. All in all I found it very disappointing and would never go to your restaurant again. For 2 reasons: Poor food, and way too much money for what they serve. Thomas Koriles -- Trenton, MI
DATE: 2004-01-28
FOODRATING : 2
SERVICERATING : 4
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 2

My Favotrite
DESCRIPTION: We regularly drive 80 miles to the Common Grill and all we talk about both ways is the food. The fish is fresh and fantastic, pasta dishes always flavorful and service has never been less than wonderful. The Smoked chicken angel hair pasta is my favorite, but recently had wild mushroom ravioli. mmmm...
DATE: 2004-10-03
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Pasta Jambalaya, Walleye

Fair to good
DESCRIPTION: Having had a positive experience with business lunches at this restaurant, I suggested it for dinner for our anniversary. Big mistake. In spite of using the call list system offered (actual reservations for 6+ group only) we waited for an hour for our seat. There was no place to sit, standing near the door, we were jostled and chilled each time the door opened. It was a challenge to get to the bar for a drink, much less find a place to sit. The room was thundering with people trying to be heard over the din of other people yelling to be heard. A nightmare!! When seated, we felt compelled to hurry through our meal to get out of the place! Food: grilled salmon delicious with vegetables, all seasoned well and simply prepared. Salad OK but fresh. Bread: overly salted and a bit underbaked. My husband's paella was a real disappointment,and more like a rice seafood stew, not the fluffy, saffron colored, flavorful stuff found with credible paella. The decaffeinated coffee (necessary per how late we were seated...) was quite weak. In general, would not recommend lengthy travel to go to this restaurant and do not expect even close to a pleasant dining experience unless you go for the beer hall or sports bar sort of setting.
DATE: 2005-12-18
FOODRATING : 4
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 4
RECOMMENDED DISHES : grilled salmon with chimchurri

Special place in my heart
DESCRIPTION: I am in love with this restaurant! It is a must go for anyone who likes to eat, so everyone. This is a place I will not soon forget because it is where I learned that I was allergic to fish :( However I would risk going into respiratory failure just to have one more taste of their miso glazed sea bass, literally. The service is friendly and oh so un-pretentious. The food is made with the most delicious ingredients and the most creative combinations, absolutely out of this world. A must go to brunch spot as well. I am in love with this restaurant!
DATE: 2006-04-01
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : sea bass, oysters, creme brulee, pear-maple waffles

Great food and atmosphere!
DESCRIPTION: I went to Starving Artist last week with some friends for the first time. They have been open for sometime, but haven't had a chance to get there. The restaurant and smaller but very cozy. It is both an art gallery and a restaurant. They feature artwork from both local and national artists. I picked up a beautiful painting that was perfect for my living room, but the food was what was really increadible. It tasted soo fresh it was amazing. We had the artichoke bottoms for an appetizer. They were out of this world. Artichoke bottoms with cheese, broiled and served with a tomato sauce. They didn't last long between the 3 of us. I had the trout. It was encrusted with pecans and had a southwest seasoning with sweet potatoes and the best spinach I have ever had. My friends got the raspberry chicken...(I stole a bite..it was wonderful!).. and the mac and cheese with roasted garlic and sundried tomatoes. The food was great and the prices are very reasonable. They also had a great list of coctails and a long wine list. Definately recommend this place to anyone! I will be going back for sure!
DATE: 2005-01-14
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Artichoke bottoms, Trout and raspberry chicken!

Finally...a superior restaurant!
DESCRIPTION: Fantastic. We've eaten there a few times now and the variety, preparation, service and flavors...oh the flavors. Why did it take so long for a town with as many fine restaurants to have such a superior restaurant. She uses a wonderful combination of spices so everything has a hint of spice. For my friends who are "regular" meat eaters, she has a simple steak or simple fish that she'll prepare to your taste. It has to be the best wine list by the glass in Ann Arbor and maybe Michigan. We really enjoyed that she provides two sizes of wine pours, so we could try different wines. The service is excellent. She clearly has the staff try everything, because they are very eager to help make the expereince wonderful. We had two vegetarian friends and she made them something off the menu that knocked them over. We can't wait to try the Brunch sometime. The Salmon Fantasy looks great. Keep it up Eve...you have our vote for best restaurant in Michigan.
DATE: 2004-01-18
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Moroccan chicken in phyllo and the Lamb.

Watch the Seating
DESCRIPTION: Service is good except that it takes a long time to get a bottle of wine because their cellar is in another building! Atmosphere/seating is good unless you're seated at the passageway banquette between the two large areas. Appetizers and salads are good. Entrees, especially the tough duck (at $32!) are average.
DATE: 2004-01-25
FOODRATING : 4
SERVICERATING : 6
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 4
RECOMMENDED DISHES : scallop appetizer

May be the best food in the midwest
DESCRIPTION: Eve is an excellent new Ann Arbor restaurant. It has an international menu with French style preparation. We found the service excellent and the food out of this world. Possibly the best food in Michigan or the Midwest...yes its really that good.
DATE: 2004-01-29
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Morroccan Chicke in Phyllo