Communal
By Courtney Buell
Photography by Cody Buell
From the masterminds that brought us Pizzeria 712 comes Provo’s newest fine-dining experience: Communal. Featuring simple food served in a rustic-modern style, Communal reminds you of eating a comforting meal at your grandma’s house … if your grandma is a classically-trained chef with an uncanny eye for elegant, modern decor.
Our meal began with a sampler of cured meat from Caputos accompanied with house-made olive and walnut bread, eggplant “caviar” (our favorite), onion caramelized in reduced balsamic vinegar and pickled onions. Everything tasted lovely on its own, but we had fun combining the different flavors on the plate.
We know we need to eat more vegetables, and the Jacob’s Cove heirloom tomato salad brought us one joyous step closer to our five-a-day. Almost brazen in its simplicity, the salad is made of tomatoes, cucumbers and very thinly sliced onion dressed with olive oil, salt and pepper, and just a splash of red wine vinegar that makes these tomatoes shine.
For the main event, try the pot roast: delivered to your table in an adorable little cast iron pot, still sizzling from the oven and covered in a rich sauce that’s full of intense beef flavor. Another stellar option is the sous-vide chicken, which, once you’ve had it, may ruin you for every other chicken preparation. It’s slow poached in a vacuum bag to trap the flavor and maximize tenderness, (sounds wrong but tastes so right) and finished in a skillet for added crisp.
Sides come a la carte and we recommend the potato leek gratin. Cracking through the shell of parmesan cheese to a creamy dish of perfect potatoes is an experience that alone would have made the trip for us. These are the potatoes you wish your grandma made. And trust us, for dessert you want the butterscotch pot de creme—easily one of the best custards we’ve ever had. The texture is velvety and the flavor buttery and beyond indulgent.
Next time you’re feeling the need for a fine dining excursion—and maybe a little homesick for your imaginary grandma’s Sunday dinner—head to Communal for a chic dose of comfort.
{Live Communal}
Communal
100 N. University Avenue
Provo, Utah
(801) 373-8000
Open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, 5 – 10 p.m. and lunch Tuesday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
www.communalrestaurant.blogspot.com
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Beautiful.
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:06 pm
I have to say, I was so excited to try out this place, being a huge fan of Pizzeria 712, but they are in no way family friendly. My husband, baby and I went to test out the new establishment and they were so rude to us over the face that we brought a child we ended up having to leave. An actual quote from the man who greeted us at the door, “I am not sure if we have anything to accommodate a child.” We’ll never go back. It’s Provo, everyone has a kid.
November 4th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
i cannot say enough about how wonderful this restaurant is. Colton and Joseph have such an amazing vision for food in Utah Valley…
my favorites include:
*potato leek gratin
* beets with cumin and ricotta side dish
* steak (can’t remember what type
* all their desserts!
great review. so fun to read.
November 5th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
It’s beautiful but that is about it. I went there with some friends recently and I felt elegant up until I saw the prices and got the food. If they are toting the family meal they need to be in a different state. Utah is full of amazing women who make way better Sunday dinners balancing all there religious obligations and still turn out a pot roast better than what they were serving with half the fat. The caramelized onions and mushrooms can be whipped up by any beginner chef, even me. The mashed potatoes, they were mashed potaotoes. The bacon, left much to be desired. Polenta was alright. Green beans, Grandma’s are better, cook them in something to bring out the flavor. And the stuffed chicken, minimal flavor. So I think I got a good sample of what they had to offer.
I don’t mind paying for good food, but it must be just that, good food. They need to really dig deeper and put there own spin on the food, not something the average housewife would grimacs at.
It has a fun atmosphere but stick with Pizzeria 712 they hit that one out of the park, delish! Communal, disappointment.
November 5th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
I have to agree with Heather. Wife and I went with another couple–no kids, and we still got a glare from the owner when we walked in. If I had to put it into words, it would’ve been something like “What are you doing here?” or maybe, “Are you sure you’re cool enough to come into my restaurant?” He seemed surprised that we hadn’t made a reservation, even though he said we didn’t need one, and then explained that they were very busy that night so we would have to wait. “How long is the wait?” I asked, “About 35 minutes” he said, nose slightly lifted… Wait…that’s a NORMAL wait in Provo on a Friday night…
If that’s the atmosphere I’m paying for, I’ll just go ask someone on the street to treat me like a lower-class citizen, and give them a dollar. Then I’ll go home and cook my own roast in my own crock pot. Sorry Communal. Fail.
November 8th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
After reading these comments I couldn’t help but leave one. First off, it is expensive but in my opinion you get what you pay for. If you want local fresh ingredients it comes at a price. If you want average there are a million chains in town that can give you that.
I have been there several times for both lunch and dinner, with reservations as well as without and have always been welcomed. My wife and I took our baby in a car seat twice and they were very accommodating. In fact the owner came out and talked with us and asked to see our baby….needless to say my experience at Communal was drastically different than yours.
Having to call ahead for reservations most of the time doesn’t bother me at all in fact it’s kind of refreshing to know there is a restaurant in town that breaks the mold of just show up take this pager and we will call you.
I’m shocked that you didn’t enjoy the food. The food is impeccable. I’ve eaten at a lot of really nice restaurants and Communal’s food is every bit as good at a fraction of the cost.
Personally I think most of you people need to get out more. Don’t go expecting the Golden Corral because you won’t find it there. If you want ambiance, great food, and something different Communal is your place.