Common Social – Come for the Pizza, But Come Early

Post by Chiefeater VK

The Pizza Margherita at Common Social Penang was excellent.

It was Neapolitan in style, with that puffed, lightly blistered crust and the nice chewy texture I look for in this type of pizza. The centre remained relatively thin while the raised rim provided considerably more bite.

On top, things were kept fairly straightforward: tomato, cheese, cherry tomatoes and basil.

We also ordered the Bacon & Mushroom Aglio Olio.

That was good too. There was a slight chilli heat running through it, but not enough to overwhelm everything else. Together with the bacon and mushrooms, it made the pasta particularly appetising.

The burrata salad was alright.

Perfectly pleasant, but when placed alongside the pizza and pasta, it wasn’t the dish that had me going back for another bite.

Something else worth knowing about Common Social is how quickly the restaurant fills up.

We arrived just after 6.30 pm and there were only three occupied tables.

By 7 pm, every table was occupied.

What I also noticed was that most diners came in groups of three or four. Given the size of the restaurant, it doesn’t take many groups before all those tables disappear.

So if you’re planning dinner here, come early or make a reservation. I wouldn’t assume you’ll be able to walk in during the main dinner period.

And here’s another useful detail.

Common Social is pet friendly.

For me though, the reason to come back would be that Margherita. Good dough doesn’t need much on top when the base itself is enjoyable to eat.

Pricing

House-style Margherita (Classic) – RM40.90
Tomato and Watermelon – RM22.90
Bacon & Mushroom Aglio Olio – RM28.90

Subtotal – RM92.70
Service Charge (10%) – RM9.27
Rounding – -RM0.02

Total: RM101.95
Average per pax: RM51

MVX Summary

MVX Score: 8.3/10

M – Meal Value
RM101.95 for pizza, pasta and salad isn’t inexpensive, but the Margherita in particular delivered. Good dough, a chewy crust and solid execution made it the standout of the meal.
Score: 8.0/10

V – Venue
Bright, contemporary and comfortable, with a clean minimalist interior that works well for small groups. The fact that every table was occupied by 7 pm also tells you something about its appeal.
Score: 8.5/10

X – X-Factor
The excellent Neapolitan-style Margherita gives me a reason to return, while being pet friendly adds another point of difference. Just don’t expect to stroll in at peak dinner time and automatically get a table.
Score: 8.5/10

Business Hours

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday to Sunday
12:00 pm to 04:00 pm
06:00 pm to 09:30 pm

Wednesday
12:00 pm t0 06:00 pm