After a couple of episodes of Portlandia and a bit of relaxation, we found ourselves recharged enough to venture back out into the world.
We did a few laps on the downtown mall before settling in for dinner. Had to work back our appetites!
Back in October, at our first visit to Commonwealth, Larbs made the following comment:
And then earlier this year, on our third visit, she planned tonight’s dinner:
So Commonwealth was where we went!
We have very similar taste, so I knew she’d like it. I hoped she’d love it! The girl loves tasting food even more than I do!
We started with cocktails on the rooftop deck
And then headed downstairs for dinner a while later
We were tucked in a cozy, dark corner. Great for us, bad for photos!
On this visit to Commonwealth, I had a dish with coconut rice and have been thinking about it ever since! It was like rice pudding it was so perfectly coconutted. So when I saw the same rice on the menu tonight, I had to get whatever came with it. Luckily it was a dish that sounded great!
Trout with Spiced Cashews and Coconut Rice
This was absolutely incredible. From the rice, of course, to the blackened bits of spicy nuts to the succulent trout. Best CW entrée to date!
Matt had gourmet-fried chicken with plantains.
You’ll have to check Larbs’s blog to see what she had, but her redfish was awesome as well. I’d say she liked them, as the dishes she and her Matt shared got high marks:
Dessert was…interesting. Being a table full of foodies, we must have debated what to do for 15 whole minutes. The boys were “up for whatever” and Larbs and I, always striving to make the perfect decision, were trying to get them to vote between the Peanut Butter Chocolate Tart and ice cream at Chaps. Finally it was decided we would get the PB&Chocolate dish and those who still wanted ice cream after (Matt A!) would be accompanied to Chaps. So complicated!
When the dessert arrived, we were surprised by the fruity sauce on the bottom. And we didn’t see any traces of peanut butter. Not only did we debate bite after bite if there actually was peanut butter involved, but we also though the whole dessert just tasted kind of odd. Larbs was just SURE it was not the right one.
Finally, after the dish was gone, we asked the server how the peanut butter was incorporated to settle the debate. And he told us we had consumed the Amaretto Chocolate Torte! No wonder it tasted off – I don’t like amaretto! [If you do, you would have loved this.]
We were totally fine with the misunderstanding, but our server ended up bringing us the Peanut Butter Tart anyways – and of course we had to give it a try as well. It was awesome! Huge props to Commonwealth for their generosity!
Can’t wait for our next visit. As much as I think Larbs would like to return, next time she has already requested Zocalo and the Relleno Pepper!
Michelle @ Esculent Dreams says
oh my goodness that happened to me (the dessert mixup) at Gertrude’s in Baltimore!
The server mixed up 3 of the desserts (out of four…) so for the first 10 mins we were all confused as to why nothing tasted the way it was supposed to! i never told the restaurant but i doubt they would’ve given us ALL new desserts haha~ Commonwealth is nice!
Kerry @ Totes My Oats says
All of the food looks great!
Stephanie @ Legally Blinde says
Ooh that Peanut Butter tart looks amazing! Glad you were able to try it after the mix-up.
Megan's @ Megan's Munchies says
Both desserts look amazing!
Susie says
I went to Commonwealth with my fiancé when I was in Cville a few weeks ago and he got the redfish special too and OMG it was unreal! I had the ginger shrimp and it was sooooo good. What a great place!
KathEats says
Their flavor pairings are just wonderful!
Kayley Ray says
I’m always in awe of how much the Matts look alike. This may be a silly question or I may have missed something along the way, but is there any relation? Surely I’m not the first to notice the similarities, right?
KathEats says
No relation 🙂 I guess Larbs and I just have a lot in common!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
I have severe food envy after this post! It all looks way better than the leftovers we had out of the fridge tonight.
Khushboo says
Glad my sis aren’t the only ones who take dessert very seriously 🙂
Emily says
In the first picture the Matts look like they could be brothers, even twins! Odd!
Heidi Bundles Of Hugs says
I’m so jealous of your evening! Mine was not so great. Was the food as good as it looks – yum!
Christine @ Oatmeal in my Bowl says
Dinner looks great! And I love Larb’s top in the first pic.
Amelia says
I loved Portlandia! Mostly because it’s a show making fun of people like me, and life is more fun when you can laugh at yourself 😉
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
The Trout with Spiced Cashews and Coconut Rice sounds absolutely incredible! Coconut rice is awesome and trout, haven’t had it in….oh, about 2 decades. I think I’m overdue!
Claire says
Cute outfit Kath! Lovin the orange bag!
Jenn says
LOVe your big orange bag! Where’s it from? Looks like a delicious meal!
KathEats says
It’s Colab brand and I got it at Loehmann’s
Alexis says
I dont usually think your sister and you look alike but you do in this pic. Both very pretty!
marie ann says
i never have commented but larbs is GORGEOUS! i would be completely jealous of that hair and height!
your food looks amazing, i cannot wait to come try the food
j3nn says
The way you are standing in your first photo I thought for a second you were wearing REALLY high heels!! ha! I was like… “Preggie AND doing laps in heels… OMG!” 😯 LOL
Your dinner sounds SO delish. I have been wanting to try coconut rice! I hear there’s a version with mango. Can’t wait to have it one day soon.
Michelle (Peachy Palate) says
Second dessert definitely even looks way better (at least you got to try two even if the first was a little off 🙂 ) Your little pink shoes are super cute, are they from somewhere that ships to Ireland?!
KathEats says
They’re from Target!
Michelle (Peachy Palate) says
No way they’re shipping them to me! I need a visit to the US for food, clothes and all other things that this little country of mine lacks a little of!
Joyce @ jranola Joyce says
Kath!
You look great 🙂
KathEats says
🙂
Zoe @ loseweightandgainhealth says
Your dinner looks amazing. I could eat exactly that meal today and be VERY happy.
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
I love rooftop bars in nice weather, they are so relaxing and fun! Glad you had a great evening!
Susan H. @ The Food Allergy Chronicles says
What a beautiful piece of trout! The flavour combination of the spicy cashews and coconut rice sound awesome! Looks like a lovely evening out!
Cait's Plate says
HAHA! I do that SAME exact thing with my sister when she send me pictures of places she’s eaten at! I’m headed her way in a couple of weeks and we already have a list a mile long of places we want to eat at! 🙂
allpointswhole says
Love sisters!!
Fran@ Broken Cookies Don't Count says
Looks like fun!
dee says
Holy. Oh. my. gosh. Your trout dish looks divine! (ps. great photos btw in low lighting!)
pps. I love your bag! May I ask what kind it is?
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
I love coconut rice! I had it at a restaurant last summer and I’ve been dreaming about it ever since! I’ve tried making it at home, but it just doesn’t taste the same. 😛
Angel7 says
If we are ever in Charlottesville, we will definitely have to stop by Commonwealth!
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
~Christy @ wonderofallthings says
Yum, yum and yum! What a fun looking spot and delicious food. Love it!