Getting a taste of Communal’s new lunch menu
The fettuccine with blackened salmon at Communal in downtown Provo.
The grilled flat iron steak with balsamic onions and herb fries at Communal in downtown Provo.
I sat at one of Communal’s tables on Tuesday afternoon, looking through the restaurant’s large windows at the gray skies and drizzling rain outside. The popular eatery in downtown Provo is known for its upscale dinners and breakfasts/brunches. Recently, though, Communal began opening its doors for lunch, served Tuesday through Friday.
Communal is right next to the Daily Herald’s office, so that lunch menu has been repeatedly calling my name the past few weeks. It was time for a fancy lunch break.
Creative meals with artisanal flair are Communal’s specialty. Its dinner menu is more overtly forward-thinking than what you’ll find elsewhere in Utah County. This flair (and the price) gets paired down for Communal’s lunch menu. There are still flourishes, mind you, but not to the same degree: first and second courses — Communal’s serving style at dinnertime — are swapped for appetizers, entrees and sides. We stuck with the entrees on Tuesday afternoon, ordering the fettucine, grilled flat iron steak and communal burger plates.
Of these three, the fettucine was the most satisfying. It features a mix of summer squash and local squash, as well as feta cheese, corn, and local heirloom tomatoes. This can be ordered with a choice of grilled chicken or blackened salmon served on top. I opted for the blackened salmon, and was thoroughly satisfied. The hefty slice of salmon glistened atop my plate, breaking apart beautifully with the press of my fork. I’m not usually a squash guy, but the cooked yellow summer squash was delightfully sweet.
This dish was also the most aesthetically dynamic of our orders. The red tomatoes, yellow and green squash and orange/pink salmon brightened an otherwise gloomy afternoon. My only qualm was the small plate on which it was served. There was a lot of food packed on there, which regularly spilled onto the table as I navigated my meal. It really needed a larger plate underneath.
The grilled flat iron steak was served with onions cooked in balsamic vinegar, as well as an order of Communal’s herb-seasoned fries. The steak was appropriately tender, with some kind of marinade that was both sweet and smoky.
While Communal’s lunch menu is a fraction of the dinner menu’s price, get ready to drop around $20 for your meal. Not all the lunch items are created equal. Part of that price tag, I’m sure, is Communal’s atmosphere: warm, cozy and subtly upscale, with great natural lighting and an ideal view of downtown Provo. Our visit didn’t blow me away, but it was consistently pleasant.
COMMUNAL
Where: 102 N. University Ave., Provo
Lunchtime prices: Sides $4-$6, appetizers $5-$12, entrees $13-$20
Lunchtime hours: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday
Info: communalrestaurant.com, (801) 373-8000