Dining Chicago Restaurants

Dining Chicago Restaurants

The Graceful Ordinary

3 E. Main, St. Charles, IL, 60174

331-235-58*** Website Facebook

Price: $$$$$

Tue – Wed, 4–10pm Thur, 4–11pm Fri – Sat, 4pm–12am Sun – Mon, closed

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The Graceful Ordinary - St. Charles

The Graceful Ordinary in St. Charles is described on their site as “a traditional tavern with a fresh twist: new, and yet familiar, which also describes our menu; prepared on an open hearth, we call it ‘rustic refined.’” In the kitchen is Chef Chris Curren, formerly of Fulton Market Kitchen, Seven Lions, and Blue 13, who serves up food he describes as "comfortable yet very refined."

One of the refined comfort foods on the menu is a roasted chicken, and Curran's version includes a wood-roasted breast, along with a fried leg and thigh, sided with collard greens and jus, enhanced with earthy truffle. The Waldorf salad gets a lot of added dimension from smoked grapes, pickled apples, candied walnuts, and smoked vinaigrette -- it's a lot more interesting than your traditional WS and no less satisfying.

Also on the very focused menu is a carpaccio...with a difference. Unlike beef, the usual protein in this preparation, Curren uses...octopus, which is a cool variation on a traditional theme. The popular and delicious cephalopod is amped up with lemon puree, chili oil and pickled mustard seeds.

The Cajun Marinated Pork Chop comes with Hoppin' John (a downhome recipe of peas, onions, chopped bacon and rice), along with lemon caper butter sauce, and herb salad; it's comfort food, enhanced.

The Wood Roasted Dry Aged Ribeye Steak is dressed to advantage with accompaniments including smoked cauliflower puree, seafood croquette, red chimichurri, a daring combination of flavors.

St. Charles is a drive of about 50 minutes for many Chicagoans, but as Curren mentioned to Restaurant Hospitality, "“We think the suburbs are truly going to have their moment… with so many people relocating to the area from the city in the past year in particular, Megan and I have always known there was incredible potential for this type of dining in St. Charles,”

In case you were wondering, the website explains "In Colonial times, the town tavern was called the ordinary. It was more than a place to drink and eat. It was a place to connect and collaborate, or relax and celebrate, with the community. This is our version, refined."

Believe us, it is.

Reviews

JoyRoadGuitar

over 1 year ago

First, you have to get parked - and with no handicap parking spaces, that was problem #1. (there are a few across Rt. 64). Second, you have to get over the sticker shock. Third, the food flavor combinations were unique - some good, some awful. (we liked the Blue Cheese w/ Pear - hated the sesame seeds with the carrot cake), but sometimes the awful wrecked the whole dish. ***Luke-warm tap water.*** It was 90 deg. outside. With the open flame kitchen as part of the dining room, there was a lot of energy , laughing, and shouting of food orders in the restaurant, and some really like this. But if you are looking for a quiet relaxing intimate dinner - pick somewhere else.

Susan Brotzman

over 1 year ago

Poor service to say the least! Warm table water served. Asked for ice never given. Food was okay. For brunch options like one piece of avocado toast for $14 and American breakfast served with no butter or jam. There are to many other good options in St Charles to ever go back. Beautiful restaurant but so overpriced and expected so much more from this place considering the accolades on the chef and his wife!

Linda Franzen

over 1 year ago

The Graceful Ordinary has a gorgeous bar and dining room that is located in a quaint area of St. Charles along the river. The kitchen area is open to the dining room so you can watch them preparing food if you are seated in that section of the dining room. We started with the Maytag Bleu Cheese whipped with poached pear and pistachio granola. It was excellent and was served with bread. Next we had the Waldorf Salad with smoked grapes, pickled apples and vinaigrette, a very unique twist on the traditional Waldorf Salad. For our entrees we both had the Cajun Catfish, it was outstanding! Service was attentive and the restaurant is quite loud, but there is seating available outside. A creative addition to the St. Charles and Geneva restaurant scene. We will definitely return.

Ted Schuster

almost 2 years ago

Everything we ate was very thoughtful, layered, and incredibly tasty. Even some of the “simpler” dishes such as the heirloom tomatoes were so incredibly good. Makes me want to go home and make a bacon vinaigrette and (attempt) to make it myself. Drinks were great too - and a huge selection. We’ll be back for sure. Couldn’t recommend this enough as a place to try something new, and have excellent food.

Lauren Breeden

almost 2 years ago

This has become a fave date night spot! Start with the Saint 75 cocktail and the marinated olives and the bread cheese--so much flavor. We love the mussels and pasta. The oysters and shrimp and grits are wonderful too. On our third visit we finally ordered dessert and the butterscotch pot de creme was fantastic. 😍Beautiful ambiance too.

Judy Lyons

almost 2 years ago

Went to a wedding here. It was amazing! Appetizer and cocktail included some unique and delicious food. They have an open kitchen, so we could watch the food being plates as it was being served. The food was incredibly fresh and high quality. I appreciated to professionalism of the staff and the quality of v all that was offered.

Robyn CM

almost 2 years ago

This is a great place in St. Charles. Beautiful outdoor space. The food was really good. I do think they could improve their bread and butter. Both were visually attractive but lacked in flavor. Too plain. Hint of garlic, dill or parm would go a long way. Staff is very friendly and I think it's going to do very well. The Apricot Lane drink was really good. The pear with blue cheese app was wonderful. Definitely a place to go to.

Morgan Kasanda

almost 2 years ago

I was in town visiting from North Carolina. What a fantastic experience this place was. My friends and I enjoyed prompt, friendly service, wonderful unusual delicious drinks and absolutely mind blowing food. If you're in St Charles this is the place to go with it's gorgeous view of the river and chic upscale interior. Perfect for a date night or ladies night out. Highly recommended.

Corey Mitchell

almost 2 years ago

Loved the atmosphere and location on the river. Our table provided a great view of the downtown nightlife. Service was very attentive and the food selections were limited, but well thought out. I can personally recommend the octopus for appetizer, salmon for entree and a smooth cocktail called the small, dark and handsome.

Ulyana Pshyk

almost 2 years ago

Absolutely gorgeous place! Food was delicious( even my husband liked it and ordered more and more, even though he is not a fan of fancy places). Beautifully designed, the patio is so beautiful! Amazing experience and great service!

Heather H

almost 2 years ago

More chefs need to follow the lead of the graceful ordinary by getting out there to create. This little gem is nothing short of a work of culinary genius! Both brunch and dinner are chock full of tastebud adventures -- from starters to cocktails to entrees there is something sure to satisfy even the most discerning of palates. There is not one mediocre dish to be had!

Diane Righeimer

almost 2 years ago

Very Nice Ambiance. Very Over Priced “Brunch” Spent $160 for 4 people to eat. One of us had grits and one had a lobster pizza- with hardly any lobster and two of us had the tuna. I had 10 tiny cubes of tuna and the “rice” was literally and I mean literally about 20 grains of rice. I was shocked. I went home and had a bowl of cheerios. Won’t ever go back and that’s how restaurants spiral out of business. Renovations cost so much that the food suffers. It was good food but the amount of food was beyond shocking.

Jenifer Regal

almost 2 years ago

My husband and I have been to The Graceful Ordinary now 7 times since they've opened, and brought our family and friends, and recommended it to everyone we know. I cannot say enough about this establishment, you can tell the passion that goes into everything from the time you enter the front door, until you are seated; whether you are waiting in the beautifully appointed sitting area with a fabulous view of the river, fireplace, and cozy feel to the amazing waitstaff and food! We don't just go to The Graceful Ordinary for the amazing food (brunch & dinner), but we go for the amazing vibe it provides! I am from South Carolina, and this establishment reminds me so much of Charleston, the food and the vibe. If you are on the fence about trying The Graceful Ordinary, I say run don't walk! I can't wait to go back for our 25th wedding anniversary!

Antoine Palmer

almost 2 years ago

First time visiting The Graceful Ordinary and most certainly won't be the last. My wife and I loved our experience and can't wait to bring her parents back with us next time. The staff was very professional, polite, and friendly. Kind of felt like an extended family. The food was delicious and the ambiance has the perfect combination of luxury and comfort. Planning to do brunch very soon. A special thanks to Adam the head Chef and Rose who made us feel very welcome.

James Hoard

about 2 years ago

Well, there are lots of places to go out to eat in the Fox Valley. This place was different - a FOOD EXPERIENCE!! From the detail of acknowledging it was our anniversary, to giving us a card signed by staff, to recommending all of the great food - it was amazing! The food was outstanding and we had many different things on the menu. Everything was spot on! Thank you for a fantastic dinner experience!

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