CommonWealth Gastropub - Great Beer, great atmosphere....

Lots of posting --- another review from the Kleinette, and this time about the Commonwealth Gastropub located at 1400 Irving St NW.  Commonwealth has been around for about a year, and full disclosure, I've been thinking that this would be the perfect kind of place for DC.  I lived in London for a year and while mostly, I think the British are a little too reliant in daily life on those sandwiches in the plastic triangle boxes, I really loved traditional pub food, pies and beer and especially the deserts (STICK TOFFEE PUDDING!).  


Commonwealth, first and foremost, has a gorgeous atmosphere inside.  The restaurant mixes comforting and slick to make it comfortable place in my opinion for a potential first date, meeting up with a friend to catch up for a long time, or even a more businessy lunch.  Its classy and comfortable.  It is mostly made of dark wood, glass, and blackboards filled with specials.  


We had a delicious flight of beer for tasting, a dark stout, a winter mix, a wheat beer and another for $12.  Amongst the group, we had the brussels sprouts side (I wanted the dish it came with, but I don't eat pork, so..... alas) , duck risotto appetizer, fish and chips, shrimp and salad.  We were not - ooo ahhh wowed, by the food to be honest.  The Kleiner and the Kleinette had just returned from an extended stay in the south, in particular in Palm Coast, Florida which is located by the not-so-well known mecca of delicious food, Flagler Beach, where we ate some delicious fish dishes of all kinds, so, we were underwhelmed by the mid-atlantic version.  The Brussels Sprouts were tasty and balsamic glazed, but served warm.  The risotto was a little rubbery and too salty.  


Overall, I love Commonwealth's atmosphere and would like to go back with our other groupon to try some of the snacks, but I don't think for the price, that the food was quite worth it.  I remember reading the menu while walking by when it first opened and seeing a much more 'British' menu which was what I was looking forward too.  In England, a pub like this would have many more pie selections.  Maybe this didn't go over well in DC causing the change..... I think the atmosphere was great and its a good standby if you need a comfy, cool, non-offensive place to meet friends, but, for a gastro experience, I'd probably pick something else in the area. What do people think of competitors near by, like Social? or Room 11?  Or even Tonic in Mt. Pleasant?  I haven't tried those yet.....