07/25/08

Hidden gem

by foodieintampa

My spouse and I frequent Circles. Our visits average 3 times per month. The food is consistently great. Parking can be a bit tight on the weekends. Seems to be a bit of turnover with the wait staff, but we have never experienced any issues concerning service even with large parties. They don't typically offer a fantastic dessert selection, but that's fine because appetizers, salad and main will leave you stuffed and satisfied. The homemade blue cheese dressing is only rivaled by my own. Weekend brunch is also fantastic. Recommended items: Hunan Chicken with peanuts, any of the steak selections, Veal Rollatini, Dim Sum and Fried won tons. The menu is diverse- visit often and narrow down your own favorites.

• Pros: Consistent food quality
• Cons: Parking

02/27/08

One of my Favorites!

by mac1037

I love this restaurant! I take everyone that comes to visit from out of town and they insist on going back when they return. Michael is wonderful and the food is incredible. There isn't anything on the menu that I do not like. I am sure as in any restaurant there are times when things are off, but I haven't had any of those moments at Circle's. We have brought large parties there and they have split the checks without a problem and the food came out perfect and in a timely manner. We have many of our group's celebration dinners there. It is also really nice just coming in during the middle of the week and sitting at the bar for dinner. Michael has suggested some really wonderful wines and dinner entrees on those occasions. You really can't go wrong.

02/20/08

Poor Management!

by funkdr

I wanted to bring a special bottle of wine to dinner on Valentines day so I called ahead to see if it would be ok. I was told that it was not alright and that it was against the law to do so. I told him that I have never heard of that and have brought bottles of wine to many places in the area without a problem. Normally paying a corkage fee of $15 for the wine. The guy on the phone was very rude and defensive about me even asking to bring a bottle of wine telling me that they had plenty of good wines available for sale and they won't risk getting in trouble. I believe he was just trying to push his wine and did not want to accommodate the customer. Needless to say we did not go and will not be back. The food is ok but the management left a bad taste in my mouth before we even arrived. It is just not worth going to a place like this when there are so many restaurants in the area with better food and service!

02/12/08

Horrible Experience

by TampaFL

We would absolutely not recommend this restaurant. My pregnant wife was horribly mistreated by management. After dining there, we met a friend across the street for a drink. When we returned, her car had been towed from the Circles parking lot. Apparently, we were no longer entitled to be in the parking lot immediately upon concluding our dinner. When she explained the situation to the owner, he refused to help, along with being very dismissive of the situation. In talking to my friends, many have expressed similar stories of rudeness or indifference from restaurant managment.

Needless to say, we will not be dining there again.

• Cons: Rude Management

12/31/07

Circles offers wonderful food; excellent service

by mfm

We've been dining at Circles for several years and have never had a less than delicious meal. Michael, the owner, has a wonderful, friendly manner about him that makes everyone feel like an old friend that has come for a visit.

The servers are friendly, efficient and professional.

The menu has something for everyone and the desserts are spectacular.

This is a restaurant you must try and I guarantee you'll come back again and again.

• Pros: Wonderful food; moderate prices

07/04/07

Did I just go on an off-night?

by kkaratsa

I liked the setting of the restaurant and found it to have a relaxing atmosphere, but I didn't enjoy the food on the night that I visited. The food was ordinary and bland. Our server appeared to be new and he wasn't very friendly.

04/04/07

Have not found anything on the menu that I didn't LOVE.

by thomas_chandler

I absolutely love this restaurant. I have tried about 15 dishes so far on the menu and love them all. I even brought a group of 16 once from work and they were able to accomodate us very well and very quickly. Wine is top here with a great selection. Food is delicious. Service is prompt and attentive. My family comes in to town and this is the only place they want to eat.

Great for one on one dinners, and great for groups.

I Highly recommend the spinach salad.

Love the Tuna choices,

Pastas are wonderful

And OHHHHH the Lobster Bisque.... Mmmmmmmmm

All I can say is Yum...

• Pros: Food, Ambiance, Hidden Treasure
• Cons: Service needs some training but normally is great to chat with.

02/09/07

Food Is Excellent - SERVICE Is Excellent

by dic21

Unlike a prior review (unfortunately it looks as if they went during a very busy Christmas week), our experience with Circles South has always been amazing with great service.

We have been regulars for about 6 years (from the original Circles restaurant that used to be on North Dale Mabry) and have yet to have an even sub-par meal or an uninformed server. The atmosphere is cozy and very comfortable and the wine selection is always wide and varied.

As for menu selections, as I stated we've never had a sub-par meal. Among our favorites are the duck, Chicken Normandy, and any of the sea food dishes. The meat and sides are always fresh and prepared with excellent craftsmanship. And be sure to try the lobster bisque and the escargo--both items are a must every time we dine here.

Circles South is as near to perfect as you will find in Tampa. It should rank up with Berns, Mis En Place, and all the 'top' Tampa establishments. Actually, it should surpass them in food, price, and SERVICE.

12/21/06

Food is outstanding - Service is not

by dac21

This was my first time at Circles and it can be a little difficult to find. There was six of us for our company christmas dinner. My spouse and I arrived and waited at the door for nearly 5 minutes before anyone even came up to us to say that someone would be with us. There was no hostess ot host stand just a sign saying to wait. It was several more minutes before we gave up on waiting and went in search of our party. Our waitress was poorly trained. If service was slow due to the kitchen and resturant being slammed I can understand but she simply had no idea what was going on. She did not know the menu, proper proceedure to opening a bottle of wine, what garnishes go with drinks even. She would serve a vodka tonic with no lime but put one in a jack and coke. Honestly, it appeared as if she had never waited before and this was her first night.

The food however was fantastic. Great menu options at very reasonable prices. The veal rollentine was suburb. It absolutely melted in your mouth. The gorgonzola cream sauce made the dish but you could not have asked for a better peice of veal. Everyone else also raved about their meals as well. Dessert was also good. We shared creme brulee, tirimisu and a chocolate fudge cake or some sort. The cake was the best by far but none were disapointing.

I am a firm believer in trying ever restaurant twice to make sure if it was simply a bad night for them when it comes to bad food or bad service. I am hoping simply it was just not their night to shine - at least not service wise because the kitchen surely did.

• Pros: Cute and charming atmosphere, great food and drinks
• Cons: service, no visibly management

05/15/05

diamond in the ruff

by hlh9

With all the restaruants in the Hyde Park area this one is a cut above the rest. Outstanding menu selection and the taste is even better. Great wine list, ambience can't be beat and a very welcoming staff. Whether going for Sunday Brunch, lunch or Dinner you will be pleasently surprised.

• Pros: Food, wine list, atmosphere
• Cons: none