First Look: Commonwealth Brings Globally-Inspired European Cuisine to Grand Center

St. Louis has a new destination for globally inspired European cuisine in the again-bustling Grand Center arts district. Commonwealth (634 North Grand Boulevard, 314-405-3399), a new restaurant brought to life by executive chef Scottie Corrigan, opened yesterday inside the boutique Angad Arts Hotel promising an inspired culinary experience like no other in town.

Commonwealth replaces Grand Tavern, the restaurant that previously occupied the first floor dining space of the Angad Arts Hotel. Though its location might tempt diners to think of it as simply a hotel restaurant, chef Corrigan is eager to dispel that conception and is confident the food and drinks will speak for themselves to that effect.

"You can't get anything else like this in St. Louis," Corrigan says. "The hotel is one-of-a-kind, so we wrapped the concept around that. We've been given full creative freedom and believe this should be a memorable experience whether you come for date night or a business meeting. We definitely want to be put on the map."


Together with sous chef Sierra Eaves, Corrigan has worked hard to create a menu that will provide the level of dining experience that will make Commonwealth a destination unto itself. Drawing inspiration from the flavors found throughout the British Commonwealth, the restaurant traces culinary influences to 50 different countries from such continents as Africa, Asia, the Americas and the Pacific Islands. The result of their efforts is a menu that is divided into three different sections ("For the Table," "Beginnings," and "Mains) consisting of a variety of dishes ranging from foie gras to confit duck ragout, and roasted chicken breast masala to tandoori duck.

Corrigan and Eaves put that same level of thoughtfulness into creating Commonwealth's dessert menu, including the restaurant's signature sweet offering, the "Starry Night." This stunning dessert, which is sure to be one of the city's most sought-after sweet treats, consists of a chocolate torte base topped with chocolate creme patisserie, blueberry gelée set in a tempered chocolate shell and topped with a iridescent mirror glaze.


Leading the bar is industry veteran James Cassidy, who has created a cocktail list meant to pair with the food. Look for spins of classic drinks, such at the "New World Fashion" and "Black Gimlet" as well as his own creations like the "Berry Sour and "London Fog."

"We want the cocktails to be as inventive as the food," Cassidy says. "It just makes for a better meal."

The stunning setting, reimagined from the Grand Tavern days, has a vintage, Art Deco vibe with marble tabletops, plush sage green chairs and semi-circle booths, a black marble bar and peacock blue walls. The restaurant will also serve as an art gallery, showcasing the work of local artists; the current exhibition is dedicated to the concept of time and history.

Commonwealth is now open Tuesday through Thursday from 4-10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 4-11 p.m. The restaurant also serves breakfast daily from 7-11 a.m.

Scroll down for more photos of Commonwealth.













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