Circus

Went for a friend's birthday, and my overall feeling is that I didn't hate Circus, I was just disappointed that it could be so much better.

Our table was booked at 8pm, and at 7.50 we had a call while in the taxi rather rudely telling us we were late and they would only keep our table another 15 minutes. After explaining we had booked for 8 we were told that's fine, but they needed our table back at 10. There was no apology for the misunderstanding or rudeness....

There is a 2 course minimum, otherwise an £8 per person entertainment charge is levied. I understand the entertainment isn't free, so that was fine but it would have been nice if this was mentioned when we booked. I had only planned to eat a small meal and focus more on the entertainment because it's pretty expensive - £25ish for a main and £10 for a starter. The food we had was reasonably good, but probably nothing too special for the price.

The entertainment was ok, but there isnt enough of it. The entertainment takes place on the main table so it is just in sporadic bursts between courses for people at that table. It also repeats itself - We were there about 3 hours and we saw 6 five minute sets, the last two of which were the same as the first 2. It would have been much better if there was a dedicated stage where things happen more frequently. The acts themselves are pretty good though.

The staff are ok, but it really does feel like the whole place is out to make as much money as possible and there isnt much soul to it. It's alright if you dont mind spending lots of money, although even if you spent a fortune I suspect they'd still shove you into the bar (with staff quite rudely pushing past when they feel like it) after your 2 hours are up.
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4 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Sunday, September 25, 2011

Read the previous review and nearly cancelled my reservation - Pleased to say I went with my own instinct and checked it out - Our waitress, a Spanish lady, was excellent. Tried various different dishes - the black cod was a favourite, the lamb chops I would have preferred a little more pink but that might just be me.

I can't help but respond to other comments- but the tattooed lady actually very funny, very clever act if you get it and trapeze type acts pretty amazing as its all going off above your table - Great all round night out.
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James - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, August 17, 2011

This place is overpriced and rubbish. If you want good Asian food, go to an Asian restaurant. If you want to see a circus show then go see Cirque de Soleil or something similar. But mixed together it's a very messy, and very expensive compromise.

Our food was below average, but when you factor in the price that you pay then it's safe to say that it's appalling - Thai curry for £13.50+£3.50, or how about a piece of baked fish with a bit of lemongrass coming in at £20. Sides are extra. Oh and the mains were all served separately, I was first, my two mate was second at 2 minutes later, and the fourth person had to wait 10 minutes as there was a delay. Obviously.

Seriously, the food is appalling, and the shows are average-a tattooed woman stripping then showing some nipple tassles wooooo how edgy/different. Still, the acrobat guys were decent but if you want to watch this stuff then go see a show.

You also get rushed by the waitress thanks to the table turnover rules, and they'll also try to sell you (hard) the tasting menu for, wait for it, £50 per person! I'd pay not to have to eat more of their food thanks.

As we left in the middle of a crappy dance routine, I said to the manager "are you serious" while pointing at the straining dancers. He replied "well it's a comedy isn't it", to which I replied "damn right it is mate" and exited.

I get the feeling the glowing reviews are from the owners/PR trolls - read Jay Rayner's review in the Guardian, it's perfect.

The toilets are nice though.
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Ted
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Friday, August 12, 2011

Having read some less than complimentary reviews about Circus I was a little aprehensive about my trip to the restaurant but pleased to say my evening was a huge success.

I had such an amazing evening. I had the fillet steak... I love steak and this hit the spot even by my standards. The staff were so friendly from start to finish not like your typical west end places it was all very informal and just lovely. We went for my husbands 30th Birthday and so I wanted the night to be special and that it was. I couldn't recommend it more and have already booked again for next month with my work colleagues.

Great night all round!
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Louise C
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, July 12, 2011

I totally agree with the previous post. I rarely go out of my way to make a review, but I found the staff at this restaurant incredibly rude and unattentive. I went for a friend's 30th recently, and we were on the main 'show table' we had to go for the sharing menu and this was already pre-requested, which came with a glass of prosecco and a three course meal. On arrival we were shown promptly to our seats, which was good as an act was about to start and we had arrived slightly late (15-20minutes which we had rang in about and was told that was fine , and this was due to the taxi driver not being able to find the place !). So sat down in the seats and the act came on, I had gestured to the waiter that we would like a drink, he said he'd come back , but he didn't. Then the act ended, it took 35 minutes for the lady to come over and give us the drinks menu from the moment we had arrived, we were dying of thirst at this point, and then took ages again to come back to take an order, and it was then that we got the 'glass of prosecco' that we should have got on arrival since it was already pre-ordered!!.

I could go into this further, but in general the service was slow and unattentive, not to mention the staff had an attitude problem (when clearing the table took away my glass of wine!!, and when I told her this returned to put an empty glass in front of me! We were told we were being moved, so take off the table, by force as she started to move the table whilst I was still seated. They did not move us anywhere, and to top it off we never had the third course! Just outrageous!

The food was average. This place of basically a rip off, for high end prices, I would expect much much better. Do not go there, I felt sad as it was a special birthday and the bill was £786! Unbelievable. I have eaten at many many restuarants, ones with Michellin stars, and the average run of the mill, and have had a much better time.

They seemed to have been inundated since being on the Apprentice, but your customers come first and service is so important, this place will go downhil in now time.
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4 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Rude and unattentive staff. We had to wait ages for out food and when it came, it was pretty standard. Definitiely overpriced for what it was. The show is quite good but not worth the money. They state that they book for large parties.. there was a large group on our night who seemed to get preferential treatment. Very frustrating. Food was standard and again definitely overpriced. Would not recommend it for a special night as the staff ruined the atmosphere.
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Jason Button
2 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Friday, May 13, 2011

We had a fantastic time in this restaurant last Saturday night (2 April). Me and my partner (50 + 40) plus my son and his girlfriend (21 + 20).

We were pleased to find that the negative reviews on some websites about the venue, the atmosphere, the entertainment, the service and the food were all miles from the truth - I guess some people have ridiculously high expectations or are simply just too difficult to please….

The venue - just what we expected. Eclectic and quirky. Just the right size for the balance between entertaining but intimate.

The atmosphere - good music at the right volume, everyone seemed comfortable and cheerful and in a party mood throughout the whole night.

The entertainment - varied, interesting and fun! Just enough frequency to entertain without taking over the whole experience. Sure it wasn't Vegas, but - er, we weren't in Vegas were we ? !!

The service - excellent.. Maitre d' friendly and efficient. Cocktail staff at the bar cheerful and capable. Our table waitress attentive without being obtrusive. Perfect.

The food - great. Starter sharing platter presented well, variety and portion size just right, and very very tasty indeed. The different mains we had were top notch and just enough. We had the duck, fillet steak and chicken, all cooked perfectly and just the right size. Just enough room left for the brulee style pud which was lovely.

Special mention to our waitress Phoebe B (it says on the till receipt) - who was without doubt 100% faultless. A very nice touch too giving my son a "birthday cocktail", big thanks. x

All in all, a major thank you to all at Circus for helping to make my son's birthday even more special. I'll be recommending the venue to all of my friends and acquaintances.
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Bob W.
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, April 05, 2011

I have now been to Circus on numerous occasions and have become a bit of a regular. On every occasion I have left impressed.

The food is not fancy like some of the other restaurants in London but what they do is great quality, particularly the fillet steak and ribs.

The staff have always been amazing really helpful, know there stuff and make you feel like you are at home in their venue... couldn't ask for more than that.

On top of all of this they have the added bonus of entertaining with there various circus acts... my favourite is most certainly the gorgeous burlesque lady with the fire.... brilliant.
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James Brackenbury
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, September 09, 2010

I took my husband to Circus restaurant last Tuesday for his 40th birthday. Obviously, I wanted it to be special for him and I was not disappointed! From the moment we were greeted to the moment we left, the staff were nothing but friendly and helpful. There was a completely different feel to this restaurant, due to the clubby type music playing in the background which really added to the buzzing atmosphere. But the piece de resistance was the amazing entertainment that you would only expect to see at somewhere like Cirque de Soleil! We witnessed three excellent acts during the course of our meal: two highly talented (and not unattractive!)acrobats and a man who cleverly balanced a glass ball on his hands and head whilst moving about on the stage/table!

Given the excellent atmosphere and entertainment, I half expected the food to be a bit hit and miss, but I can honestly say that our starters, mains and desserts were really delicious! I had toyed with the idea of taking my husband to a Michelin Star restaurant because he is every inch the gourmet, but he was extremely impressed by the quality of the food and wine at Circus. I would certainly recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants a completely different and memorable dining experience! We will certainly be going back again!
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CazB - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, August 20, 2010

Circus is a brilliant restaurant. We had a perfect girls night out to celebrate a birthday which all worked so well at Circus. We loved the entertainment, the food was great, cocktails out of this world & such attentive waiting staff. They looked after us from beginning to end. The dancing on the tables at the end of the night was the perfect finish to an incredible night! Thank you, we'll be back!
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Emma
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, June 29, 2010