We visited The Graceful Ordinary in downtown St. Charles, IL, on a warm late September day.
We had a wonderful experience at Graceful Ordinary, one that's hard to match outside of Chicago. From its comfortable yet elegant design to the unique menu, every detail was carefully considered. The food was delicious and thoughtfully presented, and the service was excellent.
We were fortunate to visit on a very warm day towards the end of September. We sat on the fully screened-in veranda and enjoyed the scenery in comfort.
We highly recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking a unique, elevated dining experience; no matter where you're traveling from, it's worth the trip.
Kari Christensen, Realtor, Elgin, IL
We had a wonderful experience at Graceful Ordinary, one that's hard to match outside of Chicago. From its comfortable yet elegant design to the unique menu, every detail was carefully considered. The food was delicious and thoughtfully presented, and the service was excellent.
We were fortunate to visit on a very warm day towards the end of September. We sat on the fully screened-in veranda and enjoyed the scenery in comfort.
We highly recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking a unique, elevated dining experience; no matter where you're traveling from, it's worth the trip.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: House Marinated Olives, Halibut
Mindy Wilmington
Went there to celebrate several birthdays. Drinks were good. All of the dishes were great, especially the blue crab croquettes, scallops, and brussel sprouts. What put the night over the top was our server, Tiffany! We will go back for that alone.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nora
Tiffanie was awesom! she was so welcoming and really acknowledge my partners birthday. It felt she cared and she was attentive on what we need at our table. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was amazing especially being our first time there. I would come back for my upcoming birthday and I hope I get Tiffanie again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Katy G
The Graceful Ordinary has become one of our favorite spots. The atmosphere alone is worth the visit — the candlelit tables and the holiday decorations this time of year make the whole place feel warm, cozy, and a little magical.
I’ve never had a single thing here I didn’t love. Everything always comes out beautifully prepared and delicious.
If you’re looking for a great night out, the Graceful Ordinary never disappoints!
Also, shout out to our favorite server, Tiffany, who is so kind, personal, and attentive 💕
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Megan Walsen
We loved our experience at The Graceful Ordinary! We had our very intimate wedding ceremony and reception in the private dining room. Our food, drinks, and service were all fantastic. Working with Megan, the event coordinator, was easy and she was really helpful along the way. We’re excited to go back to The Graceful Ordinary for a night out and for future special events. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Vladyslav Terletskyy
I had an incredible dining experience during my recent visit! The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, the food was excellent, and the entire evening was made even better thanks to our server, Tiffany.
Tiffany was absolutely outstanding—attentive without being intrusive, genuinely friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu. She offered great recommendations, checked in at just the right moments, and made sure every detail of our meal was perfect. It’s rare to find service that feels both professional and personal, and Tiffany absolutely delivered.
The quality of the dishes matched the level of service: everything was fresh, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. From start to finish, the experience was seamless.
Highly recommend dining here—and if you’re lucky enough to have Tiffany as your server, you’re in for an exceptional meal and an even better experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yordana Petryshyn
Tiffany was great ! Amazing service, recommendations, and attitude! My boyfriend and I loved her. Definitely will be requesting her next time ! Also the food was amazing! Bussers and the manager were very attentive!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Courtney Dixon
Stunning! I visited for a high tea event and it was incredible! Food was spectacular and the ambiance was beyond comparison! Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jason Koenig
My wife and I have been here several times and the service has been as good as the food. There is a great array of familiar elevated dishes along with some adventurous options. The food is very reasonable but like anywhere, its the drinks that hit the wallet
I went to celebrate my 22nd birthday with my family, and what should have been a nice dinner turned into for my family and I, an unbelievably frustrating experience because of one server’s behavior. Our server, a tatted woman who looked to be in her 40s I felt was rude from the start when I tried to order alcohol and couldn’t because I forgot my ID and couldn’t (no problem with that) Fine, understood. She asked if I wanted anything else and I said no, from that point on something seemed to have triggered her because what happened next was absolutely unbelievable. My mom ordered herself a margarita. I literally didn’t even touch the glass PERIOD. The drink was sitting at arms length between me and my brother, when the server came to me, assumed I was drinking it (WITHOUT PROOF) got in my face and said “you can’t be drinking this” and took it away.
She then came back to take my order but I was not comfortable at that point, I literally felt like I was being bullied by a grown adult woman when I’m paying you for service. I calmly said “You know that was really rude,” she escalated the situation and started yelling in my face, saying it was illegal. Whats illegal exactly? Being in vicinity of alcohol? I didn’t even touch the glass. My brother could have been taking a sip of it, and when I said this, she doubled down and proceeded to say “it’s illegal for him to have 3 drinks in front of him” literally just making anything up to justify herself she should be embarrassed. All I wanted from the lady was an apology and she went and brought the manager (which I did not even ask for)
The manager was polite and took 25% off our bill, but it was not about the money. The food itself was flavorless and really mediocre. I understand following the law, but this wasn’t about that. She went out of her way to create a scene, snatch a drink that I didn’t even touch, and make me feel like I’d done something wrong for no reason. Completely unprofessional and sick behavior.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
samouna basima
Served by a woman with tattoos who acted absolutely horrendously please go anywhere else. La zaza, mio modo, plenty of other great restaurants in the area. Awful experience
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Mark Anello
Very nice,great food. Everything is cooked over wood burners.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Avery Davies
The service here from beginning to end was spectacular. Shannon, our server, was energetic, knowledgeable, and attentive. The food was exquisite. We enjoyed a grilled salad... who would of thought you could grill lettuce over an open fire to perfection! The rib eye was as tender as a filet and so very flavorful. A scrumptious side of brussel sprouts topped off our meal. The finale was the sweet potato ice cream sundae. So incredibly delicious. If you like the fall flavors of pumpkin spices this is not to miss. Thank you and kudos to the staff at the Graceful Ordinary for a wonderful night out with my husband.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Clark Giansanti
We had a phenomenal time celebrating a birthday here and Aidan the busier was extraordinary!
We visited The Graceful Ordinary in downtown St. Charles, IL, on a warm late September day. We had a wonderful experience at Graceful Ordinary, one that's hard to match outside of Chicago. From its comfortable yet elegant design to the unique menu, every detail was carefully considered. The food was delicious and thoughtfully presented, and the service was excellent. We were fortunate to visit on a very warm day towards the end of September. We sat on the fully screened-in veranda and enjoyed the scenery in comfort. We highly recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking a unique, elevated dining experience; no matter where you're traveling from, it's worth the trip.
We had a wonderful experience at Graceful Ordinary, one that's hard to match outside of Chicago. From its comfortable yet elegant design to the unique menu, every detail was carefully considered. The food was delicious and thoughtfully presented, and the service was excellent.
We were fortunate to visit on a very warm day towards the end of September. We sat on the fully screened-in veranda and enjoyed the scenery in comfort.
We highly recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking a unique, elevated dining experience; no matter where you're traveling from, it's worth the trip.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: House Marinated Olives, Halibut
Went there to celebrate several birthdays. Drinks were good. All of the dishes were great, especially the blue crab croquettes, scallops, and brussel sprouts. What put the night over the top was our server, Tiffany! We will go back for that alone.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tiffanie was awesom! she was so welcoming and really acknowledge my partners birthday. It felt she cared and she was attentive on what we need at our table. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was amazing especially being our first time there. I would come back for my upcoming birthday and I hope I get Tiffanie again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The Graceful Ordinary has become one of our favorite spots. The atmosphere alone is worth the visit — the candlelit tables and the holiday decorations this time of year make the whole place feel warm, cozy, and a little magical.
I’ve never had a single thing here I didn’t love. Everything always comes out beautifully prepared and delicious.
If you’re looking for a great night out, the Graceful Ordinary never disappoints!
Also, shout out to our favorite server, Tiffany, who is so kind, personal, and attentive 💕
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We loved our experience at The Graceful Ordinary! We had our very intimate wedding ceremony and reception in the private dining room. Our food, drinks, and service were all fantastic. Working with Megan, the event coordinator, was easy and she was really helpful along the way. We’re excited to go back to The Graceful Ordinary for a night out and for future special events. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had an incredible dining experience during my recent visit! The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, the food was excellent, and the entire evening was made even better thanks to our server, Tiffany.
Tiffany was absolutely outstanding—attentive without being intrusive, genuinely friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu. She offered great recommendations, checked in at just the right moments, and made sure every detail of our meal was perfect. It’s rare to find service that feels both professional and personal, and Tiffany absolutely delivered.
The quality of the dishes matched the level of service: everything was fresh, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. From start to finish, the experience was seamless.
Highly recommend dining here—and if you’re lucky enough to have Tiffany as your server, you’re in for an exceptional meal and an even better experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tiffany was great ! Amazing service, recommendations, and attitude! My boyfriend and I loved her. Definitely will be requesting her next time ! Also the food was amazing! Bussers and the manager were very attentive!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stunning! I visited for a high tea event and it was incredible! Food was spectacular and the ambiance was beyond comparison! Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My wife and I have been here several times and the service has been as good as the food. There is a great array of familiar elevated dishes along with some adventurous options. The food is very reasonable but like anywhere, its the drinks that hit the wallet
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I went to celebrate my 22nd birthday with my family, and what should have been a nice dinner turned into for my family and I, an unbelievably frustrating experience because of one server’s behavior.
Our server, a tatted woman who looked to be in her 40s I felt was rude from the start when I tried to order alcohol and couldn’t because I forgot my ID and couldn’t (no problem with that) Fine, understood. She asked if I wanted anything else and I said no, from that point on something seemed to have triggered her because what happened next was absolutely unbelievable. My mom ordered herself a margarita. I literally didn’t even touch the glass PERIOD. The drink was sitting at arms length between me and my brother, when the server came to me, assumed I was drinking it (WITHOUT PROOF) got in my face and said “you can’t be drinking this” and took it away.
She then came back to take my order but I was not comfortable at that point, I literally felt like I was being bullied by a grown adult woman when I’m paying you for service. I calmly said “You know that was really rude,” she escalated the situation and started yelling in my face, saying it was illegal. Whats illegal exactly? Being in vicinity of alcohol? I didn’t even touch the glass. My brother could have been taking a sip of it, and when I said this, she doubled down and proceeded to say “it’s illegal for him to have 3 drinks in front of him” literally just making anything up to justify herself she should be embarrassed. All I wanted from the lady was an apology and she went and brought the manager (which I did not even ask for)
The manager was polite and took 25% off our bill, but it was not about the money. The food itself was flavorless and really mediocre. I understand following the law, but this wasn’t about that. She went out of her way to create a scene, snatch a drink that I didn’t even touch, and make me feel like I’d done something wrong for no reason. Completely unprofessional and sick behavior.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Served by a woman with tattoos who acted absolutely horrendously please go anywhere else. La zaza, mio modo, plenty of other great restaurants in the area. Awful experience
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Very nice,great food. Everything is cooked over wood burners.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The service here from beginning to end was spectacular. Shannon, our server, was energetic, knowledgeable, and attentive. The food was exquisite. We enjoyed a grilled salad... who would of thought you could grill lettuce over an open fire to perfection! The rib eye was as tender as a filet and so very flavorful. A scrumptious side of brussel sprouts topped off our meal. The finale was the sweet potato ice cream sundae. So incredibly delicious. If you like the fall flavors of pumpkin spices this is not to miss. Thank you and kudos to the staff at the Graceful Ordinary for a wonderful night out with my husband.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had a phenomenal time celebrating a birthday here and Aidan the busier was extraordinary!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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