We went to Commonwealth in Columbia Heights back in March...yes, I said it, March.  I realize this is August.  Behind is an understatement.  And to add insult to injury, I have switched phones and lost the memory card from old bberry and thus don't have pics.  Luckily, I have my notes.  This brunch was only going to be a few of us...ended up being ME BY MYSELF for brunch 1 and then Cilia and some friends of hers showed up for brunch two. Yes, I ate brunch twice all in the name of having more meals to discuss.   

Warning...they refer to themselves as a gastropub...while I know this term does not bother a lot of people, it does me.  It makes me think of inner organs, haggis, etc.  Makes me want to barf. I had to cover up the word on the menu so I wouldn't see it.

Environment...The place is pretty big and has outdoor seating.  Inside decor is, uh, english rustic? No clue how to describe - the colors are shades of gray. However, due to the high ceilings and the front wall of windows the atmospherte isn't oppressive. Good place for a big group. Music was good british pop - duran duran, the clash, etc.  Even the dishes and silverware go along with theme.

Food...Seeing as they represent the whole of the United Kingdowm, the fare is Irish/Scottish/English...they have things like welsh rarebit, scotch eggs and shepherd's pie. However, brunch has more standard fare like D-I-Y omelets, smoked salmon and pancakes (baked). 

At brunch 1, which involved me looking like an ass and eating by myself,  I ordered the shepherd's pie tofu style - it was that or an egg white omelet - so figured when in rome, er the common wealth.  The shepherd's pie a la tofu was excellent. It had the potential to be very bland, but had a good kick to it and came with an arugula salad.

For brunch 2, my late compatriots ordered the scottish salmon platter, a cheese omelet and the baked pancake.  The scottish salmon platter was nothing special.  The omelet had cheese, onions and bacon and was cooked just right - fluffy and just a little browned on top.  The baked pancake had great toppings, but was literally A pancake - so if you were thinking a "stack", not so much.  The pancake eater was considering ordering a second.   Brunch potatoes were slices and did not have onions, but had thyme - they were ok.

For dessert, I had the black pepper berry cobbler - delish! Someone else had the bittersweet chocolate pudding, which was more sweet than bitter...right on the line of too sweet.

Booze...You go get a free mimosa with brunch...so that's good!

Service... They sat me without my party which was a fail because my group didn't show, so I just moved to a two-top and ate all by my lonesome.  My waiter was great; he was friendly without being chatty and filled up my iced tea when it was half full - bonus.

Overall...I can't see this becoming a "regular" brunch spot, but every once in a while, it's not a bad spot - especially, if you are up in Columbia Heights.