Circus Eats @ Stratford Circus

On Thursday evening I went to a book launch of Tariq Ali at Stratford Circus, where I've been many times before.

A transformation is happening the caterpillar is finally turning into a butterfly. We were recommended to eat there after the show by a friend so we did.

The waiter was fun and attentive and was generally excellent at his job, but I would be happy being a waiter serving food of this quality and in a neighborhood not recognised for culinary delights!

I had the onion and celery soup which as soon as you smelt it you knew it was going to be good and my partner had a beetroot and goats cheese salad - both fantastic. For mains I had the billingsgate fish of the day with chilli coconut noodles and my partner had the fishcake with pea and fennel sauce. We could not fault any of it, the taste the flavours and the presentation was way beyond what I expected.

For dessert I/we had the lemon filo with citrus fruit in a chilli dressing and again faultless.

After the meal we had the biggest surprise was the bill and how they do it I don't know.

I seriously recommend this place to anyone reading this, I will be going back and back again. EXCELLENT!
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Saturday, October 04, 2008

Fab fab fab! There is nowhere for miles serving food of this quality and diversity and that's before we even get to the prices. The staff are professional and warm and the eating experience is GREAT except the food is let down by the space - horrible uncomfortable too small tables etc. I understand it's an arts centre but it's way too much like eating in a foyer and can be freeeeezing. But it's great eating in the middle of such a lively mix of people - ages/diversity etc. as a local, I'm scared about recommending it because it's going to get too popular, but on the other hand i don't want it to close.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, September 16, 2008

OH MY GOD what a change. I used to go the Stratford Circus to eat in years gone by but as the years went by so did the quality of the food and service.

Last week for the first time in about a year I was invited to Stratford Circus for a business meeting over lunch and I was shocked with the turn around. I am not sure who is behind this but they have created a unique place for Stratford, not concentrating on one of the local communities but all. I have not seen a menu dedicated to its local audience before but this menu was aimed for all environments to come and eat. The menu included Jollof rice, which was cooked by an English chef, I was dubious but I can only tell you of my delight once I tasted it. This guy understands pepper and has obviously had a great teacher – this was better than my mothers and easily matched anything from the motherland.

My colleague had the Stratford Circus burger, now that was a burger and a half. This is no fast food chain offering – unlike any burger I have seen before. I had to congratulate him for eating it; it must have been at least ½ a pound of beef. I will be back once coming home off holiday.

The only thing what really let it down was the table wobbled, sugar bowl looked sparce and the service should of been from the table. The Carribean guy serving was very pleasant but could of done more in the way of service.

Well done with the change thus so far and I look forward to the new tables and chairs which the chef insists are coming. Gavin - the chef was also promising platform events to give the chance for new writers and artists to perform. Well done.
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Sebari Agu
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 10
Saturday, August 09, 2008

I've been to Circus Eats at Stratford Circus several times since the restaurant /cafe changed hands a few months ago. I have been consistently impressed with the very reasonably priced international cuisine & daily specials from around the world; I'm particularly taken with the West African Jollof-rice with chicken stuffed with sweet potato... delicious! But how does this place make money? Their main courses are no more than £7 and the quality easily exceeds many of the well known West End restaurants.

One negative: The staffs are attentive and service is quick and also its fun being in a creative atmosphere with a cosmopolitan audience base, but it is a great shame that more effort is not put into the ambience of the restaurant. You feel like you’re sitting in a corridor with no focal point and a lack of intimacy / privacy.

All in all, I recommend this place above all others I know in the area. We need more of this honest and adventurous food at very good prices.
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Stephen Holland
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 10
Friday, August 01, 2008

This cafe is in a good location in stratford and forms part of the stratford circus theatre. The food is excellent and way surpasses anything else available in the area. The portions are large and the food is beautifully presented and fresh, e.g. billingsgate fresh fish of the day. The menu changes daily and the food is such good value. we had drinks, coffees, mains and desert for 20 pounds and all of it was delicious. The service is v good. I highly recommend it. It is a gem in a part of London that doesnt have that many nice places to go out and eat!
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Sara EJ
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Thursday, July 24, 2008

Is Circus Eats really in Stratford? Any theatre goer would recognise The Cut as a place to eat before a play but after going to the Lift festival we ate at Stratford Circus and Circus Eats.

The menu was a small menu but concentrated on international dishes. I had the starter of white and green asparagus for £3.50 - find that dish anywhere in the UK for that price followed by West African Jollof-Rice and red snapper for only £6. I honestly thought the menu was selling more than it could offer but this meal was one of the best I've ever had.

The service was from a guy from Australia, newly employed, but was happily educated on the menu and very thorough.

It was an absolute delight for us to get a bill for only £28.75 for starters, mains and a bottle of house white. If only we lived in Stratford.
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Eva Richardson
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 10
Thursday, July 03, 2008