Spotlight: The Common Table, a real-deal gastropub in Uptown

Happy to report that Rodman Shields, now the GM and chef of The Common Table, delivers on his pledge to make this Uptown favorite a big deal gastropub. Go try his crispy skinned roasted chicken, a slice of meatloaf better than your grandmother’s, or a pimiento cheese-topped burger on Village Baking Company’s soft burger buns. Then again, you might just quit after a bowl of his caramel-bacon popcorn, served in your Aunt’s old Corelle mixing bowl.

There’s so much to love here, from the bartenders who seem to know just which of the 40+ beers on tap you’ll like (I’m partial to the baking-spice spiked Prairie Christmas Bomb imperial stout) to Shields’ humble, satisfying menu, that you’ll put this place on your everyday restaurant rotation. And here’s my insider’s tip: on Monday nights, The Common Table offers a four/course dinner paired with four beers for just $29. The menu and beer pairings change every week..

Shields says he’ll soon be rolling out a new brunch menu that improves on already exceptional offerings like a breakfast schnitzel with candied jalapeño bacon, an open-faced meatloaf sandwich (with burrata and a tussle of caprese salad) on rosemary focaccia, a beer cheese tenderloin sandwich, and for dessert, table-side as’mores and strawberry rhubarb cobbler.

The Common Table is owned by Twomey Concepts, the folks behind the now-closed Marquee Texas Grill and Toko V in Highland Park Village.