The Graceful Ordinary

What a wonderful addition to St Charles! There's plenty of street parking by the Acada theater and public parking all around, including west of the river, if you're not familiar with the area. Their outdoor seating will be one of the reasons I will definitely return in the warmer months. There's seating in the front and a wrap around balcony seating overlooking the river and leading to the back patio.
I dined here during their soft opening and we were super impressed at how well everyone worked as a team being newly opened. Unless I was told, I would have guessed this was a long established restaurant.
Loved the warm welcome, good vibes and service throughout our whole experience. Our server was knowledgeable with the drink and food menu and answered all of our questions. Portions were great, fresh bread was wonderful, drinks were awesome, food overall was outstanding. We ordered the following and I would highly recommend them all: steak tartar, grilled fresh veggies, blue (type) cheese that's served with toasted bread slice and a jam, salmon, halibut, ribeye, whole fish, crispy potatoes , curry cauliflower, brussel sprouts.
So many beautiful details from the cardstock of the menu pattern to the wine glass wall behind the bench seating, and SO much more in between.
Wishing The Graceful Ordinary lots of success!

Ambiance: with the open kitchen, fires roaring in the back, but a calm and collected staff that’s working cohesively, it was a cool atmosphere. I enjoyed watching the food get prepped as part of the background scenery from where we sat perched at a high top white marble table. Dim mysterious lighting, smoked topaz crystal chandeliers made it feel like a flashback to a night out in the city meets vacation date-night on the river. Perfect central downtown location. JAMES BEARD AWARD on the horizon! Everything was perfectly cooked. The textures are what worked, and the balance of flavors. Happy with the portions too. We shared many small plates like the smoked/blackened greens, steak carpaccio, cheese with beet-blueberry jam. The cocktails like honey pot/bees knees and short, dark and handsome, are cleverly named and well-served up by the bartender with details like garnish and chilled glasses.