The Commodore Bar & Restaurant

We went to this bar opening week and it was amazing.
We loved the Roaring 20’s vibe, which is so appropriate for the Cathedral Hill neighborhood and the Commodore which is where F. Scott Fitzgerald lived briefly (fun fact). There were even customers (more than one party) dressed up in flapper style dresses and tuxes (sigh, incredible). What I really, really love about this bar is that it transports you to that time and makes you want to join in with their theme (so next time I am dressing up).
The food, bar, dining room and décor are incredible. So was the service. We had dessert there (chocolate soufflé=to die for), which they had also paired a suggested liqueur and not surprisingly, it was amazing.
It was a little warm in there, but I am not sure if that was because of all the people there, temperature control issues, or the liqueur.
Overall amazing experience and I can’t wait to go back!

The Commodore restoration is awesome! I went there often in the 1970s; it was a little shabby then but very cool because it was just as F. Scott Fitzgerald experienced it when he lived and wrote there. The footprint of the bar is the same as I remember it and so is the lovely ceiling. And now, it is anything but shabby. It is spiffy, elegant, and glamorous.
Our drinks — Zelda, Sidecar, and Fitzgerald — were very good. The Commodore menu honors the 1920s, yet appeals to contemporary palates. The Ricotta and Fig Toasts were fabulous. The Lobster Deviled Eggs were tasty, but were served stone-​cold from the refrigerator. Their texture and taste would have benefitted by just ten to fifteen minutes at room temperature.
What a wonderful ambiance. We could have lingered at the Commodore indefinitely. I can’t wait to visit again.

Wanted to love this place but they worked too hard to disappoint. We went on Saturday at 5:00 and sat in the bar, which was amazingly loud and crowded. People were hovering like buzzards for empty chairs. The other couple we were dining with were a few minutes late and both staff and guests kept grabbing the empty chairs — with our coats on them. Not a place to relax, savor a drink, and quiet conversation. On the plus side, the cocktails were good but the food not distinguishable from many other good restaurants in St. Paul. The service was HORRIBLE. It took about 15 minutes to receive each drink after ordering. The waiter got the orders wrong, spilled coffee all over the table, and got the check wrong. This place might be ok in a year or two when the hype dies down and their staff are no longer bungling rookies. Meanwhile, get that cocktail at Frost, Meritage, or the Saint Paul.

The Commodore is my new favorite Twin Cities restaurant. Décor is gorgeous; there’s nothing like it in the cities. Service is wonderful. Food is incredible. Our table tried several menu items but our favorites were the deviled eggs, risotto balls, cauliflower gratin, beef tartare, ribeye, and brown butter cake. Can’t wait to go back and try more.

My fiancée and I recently went to the Commodore for drinks and dinner. We experienced some high highs and some disappointingly low lows.
On the plus side, the Commodore is one of the most gorgeous, impressive spaces in the Twin Cities, and the cocktails are creative and delicious. The service was also very good — friendly and cosseting without being overwhelming.
On the downside, the food was very disappointing.
We started with the butter lettuce salad (we each ordered a small one). Strangely, the portion sizes were very different, which isn’t confidence-​inspiring. The salad itself was decent but forgettable.
For our entrees, my fiancée had the braised rabbit, and I the risotto. The rabbit was very strange — somehow they had cooked it (supposedly through 15 hours of braising) so that it had the appearance and flavor of dry, overcooked chicken breast. I’ve never seen rabbit. .. off-​white like that — it was unappetizing and bland in flavor. My risotto was very strange — just a plate of bland rice in too much sauce (the sauce basically had no flavor), topped with yet more heavy cream, and a topping of pan-​fried, but otherwise uncooked rice. It really looked and tasted like a mistake more than anything.
I remain excited by the re-​opening of the Commodore and would enthusiastically take friends and family there for drinks. They really need to get their ship in order, though, before I would eat there again. We were so excited by the décor and ambiance when we walked in, and left so disappointed by the food, that I’d be hard-​pressed to recommend it for a meal out. This review would have been 2 stars, or perhaps even 1, but for the fact that the space, drinks and service were so impressive.
I sincerely hope they get things worked out, because if they could raise the food bar to, say, the level of the Social restaurants, this would be a place I’d come to at least 6 times a year.

This is quite the ritzy joint, Old Sport!
A couple of good friends invited the boo and I to have some giggle water and grub. We spiffed ourselves up and arrived with plenty of time to survey the scenery. This ain’t no speakeasy. There are two bars and a bunch of dining space. The bar we sat in is covered in mirrors and glitz including a domed ceiling. I felt like a big cheese sipping on their 20s-​themed cocktails and looking at the swanky crowd around me.
We were seated near the back of the dining room in a little section catty-​corner to the grand piano. It was pleasant but the original window next to us was a bit drafty. The waitstaff was lovely. Very attentive and pleasant. The food was pretty good. Definitely on the smaller side but the quality was fabulous. The cocktails were also delicious. I had one called the Zelda with champagne and lime. The price point would prevent me from coming here more than once every few months, but I love the fact that this beautiful hotel has been restored in Cathedral Hill.
Overall, the experience was pretty dang swell.

One of the best dining experiences I have had in quite some time. The ambience brings you back to the era of The Great Gatsby. The dining room chair was plush and comfortable and I enjoyed the Fitzgerald cocktail which was delicious. It is a slow paced meal, take your time and enjoy the food in every bite. We ordered the lobster deviled eggs and I have never had anything like that before (lobster was cooked perfectly). My husband ordered the rabbit and I had the prime rib. The prime rib was from a WI butcher and made to perfection (medium rare is my favorite and it was perfect) with a crust of spices on the exterior. Once it hit my tongue the meat disintegrated (juicy and tender). The rabbit had a cream sauce that complimented the meat well. It was not dry and the flavors on the plate were perfectly balanced. This is a great place for foodies as well as those looking for a special date night. Make sure you have a reservation and give yourself plenty of time to book it (took me 1 month to get a Saturday reservation at 7:30). I will be back and I hope this restaurant sticks around for a while.

At 8:45 pm on Saturday evening before Christmas and we got a table in the lounge! It was beautifully decorated for Christmas… Other reviews nailed the décor! People of all sorts: Dressed to the nines, cute-​casual, and laid back! We were worried cuz we shopped all day… Nope, we fit right in! The specialty drinks were Delish (had the Zelda), and based on other Unilocalers, ordered the fried risotto and lobster deviled eggs. Both worth ordering again! Left about an hour later, and people were still lining up to get tables! Check it out! We’re already planning our next adventure to The Commodore!

A wonderful addition to what is already a stellar neighborhood for food. Wonderful bar with multiple rooms, gorgeous décor, and an extremely creative menu of appetizers and small plates. Drinks are very creative and very well done. Service is excellent.

This is the most incredible bar restaurant in St. Paul. I have been in awe of the Commodore for 10 years. Now that it is open to the public I couldn’t be happier. The ambiance is classic, cocktails are stellar (watch out Marvel) and the food is wonderful.

Well done, especially for a new place! Cocktails are creative and well done, the space is well suited for the vibe and approach of the menu, and the food was outstanding. Pricing was below expected (thank you!).
Cocktails: we went with the Fitzgerald and the Commodore, two of their signature. Excellent craftsmanship and taste.
Appetizers: Our appetizers we would have ordered again right then if the main course wasn’t already no the way. The lobster deviled eggs are amazing which we coupled with the fried risotto. That combo is fantastic.
Main course: pork scaloppini is creative and the tastes of the elements are outstanding. A bit sweet for some, but for me perfect. The sole filet was fantastic. The only fail was the side of brussels sprouts: these were the too long boiled small guys that the runt of the litter left behind.
Service: our server didn’t seem to be exactly a fit for the place. He was nice enough, but not a match for the environment.

Enjoyed visiting this new place. Had to wait 30 minutes to be seated at the bar. Fun place to start while we waited for our reservation time. Drinks were strong and delicious. We were seated at our 9 pm reservation time. I ordered the ribeye.delicious. They were a bit skimpy with the veggies and potatoes but the meat portion was generous. My husband enjoyed the pork meal. ate every bite. Service was adequate but they could do better… ran out of water a few times with no one noticing. The dining area is beautiful but it was chilly on a Saturday night. a few of us ladies kept our coats on. We would return to bring guests to show off St Paul and the history. I would come back to frequent the bar… enjoyed that experience more than the restaurant.

Wonderful retro experience complete with art Deco interiors. Imagine dining with Scott and Zelda. Good food to boot!

So classy and fabulous. The drinks are outstanding. I got the Fitzgerald and the Commodore. The flavors– wow. Delicious. And the burger was amazing. Yes, I’m the girl who orders the burger at the fancy places. Service was perfect. The atmosphere is beautiful. You feel like you are transported back to the 1920s. Come here and be fancy. You know you’re fancy.

Crowded and kinda loud, especially the bar areas, but we had a blast. Entries and drinks were excellent. Service was good and they were super busy. Definitely check it out. Reservation needed for dinner.

Excellent dining in a 20’s restored hotel.
Very good food and service.
Make reservations!

The atmosphere is lovely, but next time I’ll sit in the bar and sip cocktails rather than having a full dinner.
The cocktails are unique and well thought out. The deviled eggs are delicious and serve 4, but easy to cut in half for sharing.
The fried risotto and ham and cheese croquettes were nothing to write home about. I’ve had a better basket of tator tots. The soup of the day was a creamy cauliflower, which was delightful and the highlight of the meal. The Sole is flat and missing depth.
Service was friendly and kind, but slow and lacked attention to detail.
I will go back to enjoy a cocktail in the bar, but won’t be spending over $ 100 for dinner.

The restaurant has everything you could want: great atmosphere, excellent food, and unexpectedly, reasonable prices. I went here on Halloween and it was a lot of fun! I would highly recommend this place to anyone seeking something a little out of the ordinary.
Try the fries and salmon! I can’t speak to the signature cocktails, but they make a darn good Old Fashioned.

Gorgeous inside. .watch out for liquor prices, deceiving for what is on the menu. Beautiful art deco décor

I originally came to Unilocal to provide a 5 star review for a fantastic evening at the Commodore, but I also agree with Mark M. (below) about how disheartening it is to read the «revenge reviews» and want to address that, as well. I stopped into the Commodore last night (second night it was open) around 7:30pm with no reservation. There were two of us, and the hostess politely told us that the dining room was full, but also informed us that the (large) lounge areas are first-​come, first-​serve and showed us to the spaces where we happily found a table for two and ordered drinks (the Fitzgerald, by the way, is phenomenal).
To address the point about the restaurant seating not looking «full» — reservations at restaurants are usually taken at staggered times — especially during opening week — and it is not typical for tables to ALWAYS be occupied, as turnover times vary. There were many people looking forward to this opening, who took the initiative to make a dining reservation, and the tables were reserved for these individuals so that they wouldn’t have to wait for a reservation when they show up because someone walked in WITHOUT a reservation and took their seat (that’s the point of making a reservation, right?). The lounge areas arguably have more seating available than the restaurant, and there was plenty to go around… I’m not sure what the issue was? It’s hard to read reviews that are based on misinformation and little knowledge of how a restaurant actually operates.
Anyway — the food. The fried risotto, the fries, the ribeye, the butter lettuce salad and the Commodore burger were amazing. Fried risotto was my favorite — and the brown butter cake!
Can’t wait to go back.