Insider Pages Reviews for Circolo

1 Stars: Circolo is the worst bar in San Francisco (by charlie b.)

charlie b. — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:16:00 GMT

I would rather have a rat eat out my eyes than go back to this place. If you're into terrible people, terrible music, and whiskey out of 1oz plastic cups then this is your place!

5 Stars: Duet of tartar is out of this world!! (by CSMobileUser)

CSMobileUser — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 02:00:00 GMT

I have had Tatar at almost every restaurant I go to. I have had some good ones and well some blah. But the tartar here rocks! I never had white tuna. It is really really good! And those chips were a nice change of pace..

3 Stars: party hearty (by Ines R.)

Ines R. — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 10:12:00 GMT

Went to a birhtday party here. They have a bar so thats always a good place to start while waiting for everyone to arrive. Dinner was good, no complaints with the service either. Over all a fun time.

3 Stars: night club (by melanie l.)

melanie l. — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 00:29:00 GMT

this is a good size club. there are different rooms, and each room plays different music. i've seen nights that this club has been really dead and i've seen nights that have been really packed. it depends on the promoters for the club

4 Stars: Great for large parties (by Anhvy33)

Anhvy33 — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 02:00:00 GMT

Went here for my gf's bday party, we were seated promptly atho most of my gfs were late. We did the prix fix menu, it was nice and personalized, they even did it in pink which was the bday girl's favorite color. I ordered the chilean sea bass which was very tasty and the foie gras was pretty damn good too!!! overall service was good, food was good. What was especially cool was we were able to stay back and hang out at the lounge after dinner for more drinks.. the strawberry martinis were absolutely the best. Definitely a great place and hangout with your gfs on the weekends.. This place is a ok in my book!

1 Stars: Sorry wallet (by Esther W.)

Esther W. — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:57:00 GMT

Very expensive for chinese food. I was never a fan of fusion food myself. Too americanized for my chinese taste. The orange chicken was of Panda Express- caliber.

5 Stars: fantastic fare! (by stacyqg)

stacyqg — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:00:00 GMT

loves it!

this place was fun with such a wonderful atmosphere. highly recommended, bring your friends or a date!

4 Stars: An excellent place to eat! (by irishiyes)

irishiyes — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I have been to this restaurant once so far and would go there again. We were there on a Sunday evening when it was slow and the service was both pleasant and attentive. I was amazed how they pulled off the S. American / Asian fusion - I mean but EVERTHING we ordered was fantastic! The prices were fair for such high quality dishes, and both service and ambiance were very nice. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone (Try the wok fried garlic noodles).

4 Stars: Great big-party accomodations! (by R1chickster)

R1chickster — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I celebrated my birthday there. The food, service and atmosphere was awesome. I had a party of about 9. I know the menu changes seasonally, but when i dined there the kobe beef dish was DELISH. They have a full bar and an extensive mixed drinks list. I recommended this restaurant to my girlfriend as well..and she celebrated her 30th birthday there. She had about 25+ guests, a prix fixe 3-course menu that her guests could choose from and what's great about this place is that after you are done dining you can linger in the lounge (they often have DJ's and parties after dining hours). Go check this place out if you haven't already.

5 Stars: Awesome dining experience (by PLssy)

PLssy — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I love this place! We go here at least once a month and still can't get enough. The last time I was here, we were with a party of 20 so the event planner suggested a pre-fix meal which turned out great becuause it was one set price and we all got the 3-course meal. I had the hamachi as the starter, entree was the lamb chops and it was done just perfect, for dessert I had the banana cake.

I would recommend going here in a smaller group also just so you can choose from the full menu.

The dining experience is also great, friendly staff always with a smile!

5 Stars: Must try, great food and ambiance (by Diningout111)

Diningout111 — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 02:00:00 GMT

Went here yesterday, read in the Guardian that they had Great Happy Hour Menu, so this is what we got $1 oysters, fish Taco, also got a quick buzzed with a few cocktail and $5 Grey Goose chill, so my friend and I end up staying for dinner.
We ordered the Peruvian style Ceviche, we got the hamachi and sole, it was very tasty. We started to get full, but we ordered to share the chef tasting menu, and when it came out, OMG! it was so cute we had the duck in a potato cup with cute little devil eggs, must say nice touch to it and must try, As for our entree, we got the 10oz pork chop, WOW if you like bacon, with orange and miso, this sauce was nice over the pork chop, not your average pork chop with apple sauce, but BETTER! Service was good, we got there around 6 and left at 9:30, all the staff was so nice till the end, came in with a smile and left with one.
Ambiance was very nice, love the decor with color changing lights. Saw the last review, and was curious cause I always wanted to try this place out, was hesitated to do so, but glad I did anyways.

4 Stars: Good service.. More review to come! (by adam_l_bennett)

adam_l_bennett — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 02:00:00 GMT

Good Service.. More review to come!

It was a great time and Chef Patrick did an awesome job cooking up great treats for all of us!

3 Stars: Good service (by kjcandy88)

kjcandy88 — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 01:00:00 GMT

Very good service, I think Josh has a cute bottom, but that could be the drinks talking.
Anyhow, I heard some Blue Six and some stuff he ripped off from Ben Watt. It was all good and fit the evening well. It was mostly down tempo stuff. Hideki says he spins "for lovers." Maybe so, but I didn't feel any more frisky than normal...

5 Stars: fast lovely and tast great (by wierlessness)

wierlessness — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 01:00:00 GMT

very very lovely price and service is very nice i love to go thier any time i have time
thank you

5 Stars: Cute Decor, Friendly Service, Decent Food (by kmsmith43)

kmsmith43 — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 02:00:00 GMT

My friends and I came here for a friend's 30th birthday celebration. Upon our arrival, we were seated promptly. The decor was really cute. We chose a pre-fixed menu, which offered a better selection for the price. The empanada was really tasty! However, the risotto was not great. The rice seemed undercooked. For dessert I had the bread pudding, which was decent, not exceptional. The mojitos were excellent! They made them just right- not too sweet or strong.

Our waiter was very friendly and attentive. After dinner, we stayed at the lounge area for a few more drinks. At 10 pm it turned into a nightclub. The crowd looked interesting and the music was good, but we didn't stay long because we were tired.

I'd definitely recommend this place to a friend for a fun night out. I food was ok, but the drinks and vibe were exceptional.

4 Stars: Great place to dine (by gerkin12345)

gerkin12345 — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I was there for a friend birthday. The wait staff was very good. They took care of us. We bought our own wine and they only charge us for the first bottle corking fee. Our glass was never empty, they always had someone standing by to make sure we got everything we need.

1 Stars: One of the worst dining experiences ever. (by jwa13)

jwa13 — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Don't be fooled by the reviews. I rarely write these, but am compelled after the experience we had there the other night for our friend's 30th. After being pleasantly surprised by the cool ambience inside, we sat down and over the next 3.5 hours we had to basically beg to get our food, decent drinks and our check. The waiter forgot at least 5 appetizers, an entree, several drinks and didn't come back for ages after realizing he was dropping the ball. Early on he apologized for neglecting the table, but then didn't do anything about it. We couldn't even get our bill until 11:30 or so, when the restaurant was empty. We expected a decent comp on the bill after asking for, and have a brief and meaningless discussion with, the manager. No such luck. Our $400 or so bill was generously reduced to $386, not even equivalent to one of the terrible martinis we had. And when confronted about it, the manager (I wish I had his name) said "It's not my responsibility." In the end, pretty pathetic. They claimed they had a big party in the back, but they should just allocate resources for it. They seem to have forgotten the basics in restaurants - people come in, order food and drink, you bring it to them, they eat and drink it, pay and leave. Pretty simple. Never again with that place.

4 Stars: Great restaurant with a fun bar (by jazzman4)

jazzman4 — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I have fun here every time I go, thanks to the space, the crowd, food. But mostly its because the bartenders there are really good. Even when I've been there on a couple of very busy occasions, its not a madhouse at the bar, because the bartenders work fast and know what they're doing. Good place to keep in your back pocket to take clients, and friends.

5 Stars: Great Seabass! (by snowbunny1516)

snowbunny1516 — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I highly recommend this restaurant! I loved the food when I was there. The seabass is at the top of my list. The decor is very trendy and hip. They have a full bar and great wine list. I attended a birthday party there and received fabulous service. The wait staff was courteous and well trained. I really liked the area of the restaurant as well. In general, I had a great experience there and would definitely go back again and again.

3 Stars: No Metal Detectors here (by brandonwal)

brandonwal — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 02:00:00 GMT

"Thug" is the only word I can use here, it basically turns into a thug club full of hiphop people in their sports jerseys and baggy pants, I guess you have to pay the rent somehow.

5 Stars: VALUE HAPPY HOUR and QUALITY WINES (by moorewinewalter)

moorewinewalter — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Although I eat out for work all the time, I don't usually write restaurant reviews, but I have a real soft spot for Circolo. I have seen first hand how this restaurant has improved and matured over the last 2 years and it's really hitting its stride. Prices are reasonable and the quality of the food and drinks are well above average.

FOOD: Patrick Kehler, Circolo's Chef, formerly of Aqua, has been with the restaurant since its inception. Kehler is really coming into his own and the food shines. Happy Hour is not to be missed: $1 Fish Tacos and Empanadas. You can fill up on 5 dollars!!
DRINKS: As most reviewers agree the Signature drinks here are fantastic!! Don't miss out!!
WINE: I work in the wine business and this list, focusing on high quality South American wines, has some real gems on it. But if you want to bring you're own bottle the staff isn't stuffy about it.

3 Stars: Good food and music, AVOID the wine list at all costs (by rewsf)

rewsf — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 02:00:00 GMT

great drinks at the bar, very good attentive service, we shared the ahi tuna and the filet mignon
which both were well made, the ahi was a little over cooked, but still nice flavors and a good
portion. The wines by the glass were WAY OVER PRICED! they were $10 for a 5 dollar bottle of
wine. It seems like they're trying to make all of their money on their wines by the glass. Some places
you know the glass price is the what they paid for the whole bottle, but i knew several of the wines
were yellow tail prices and cost 9 or 10 dollars. The music was perfect.

5 Stars: Amazing Sea Bass!!!! (by devrider)

devrider — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 02:00:00 GMT

My boyfriend took me here for my birthday and we were pleasantly surprised. The drinks were great and the service was excellent. Our server was really friendly and helped us navigate our way through what the best items on the menu were. We both orderd the sea bass for dinner and it was AMAZING!!! It was a miso glazed sea bass and it was the best one I have ever tried.

They were very accomodating with my food allergies and were happy to replace certain items with those that I could eat. The surroundings were comfy and romantic and all in all, it was a fantastic place to spend an evening. I highly recommend you try Circolo.

3 Stars: Avoid the risotto.... (by ilove2cook)

ilove2cook — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 02:00:00 GMT

In terms of food, it shocks me there are any good reviews for this restaurant. Simply said, the food is off. Each entree at our table missed its mark. I see one review, and would like to expand. Learn how to cook risotto!!!! Or simply, don't serve it, it is difficult to get this right outside your own home kitchen, but it must be done correctly if and when attempted.

4 Stars: It's a nice place and plan to return (by april20012000)

april20012000 — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 01:00:00 GMT

My date and I went to Circolo, after a horrible dinner. Of course, thats at another location on Folsom St. & 14th. Circolo has a nice ambiance and heard the food is very tasty. I haven't exper;ienced any dishes, but I will return. The cocktails are tasty and the prices are reasonable. The crowd is acceptable with no kids running around. We stopped in for a couple of drinks and moved onto the next lounge. I live in the area and there are some nice lounges in the area. This area isn't over saturated with tunnel and bridge people coming in. Though, I heard Circolo's dance nights, can be quite different from our own experiences. Eitherway, I haven't experienced anything negative and will continue my patronage.

4 Stars: Good desserts (by foodielover)

foodielover — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 01:00:00 GMT

Circolo is located at the former site of Gordon's House of Fine Eats. The decor is very hip for the younger set with black and dark red walls. It doesn't get busy on a Saturday evening until 8pm. For appetitzers, the tuna tartare is scrumptious with sm. bits of mango, served over chips. 3 large duck raviolis are savory and the lobster bisque portion can easily be shared by 2. The fried calamari dipped in a lime sauce was delicious. The tasty rib-eye steaks were covered in a brown sauce, with mashed potatoes that had a kick of heat to it. The grilled Chilean Sea Bass tasted bland. The whole Dungeness crab had a savory brown sauce which was drenched over the garlic noodles served with it which made the noodles too salty. Desserts were the highlight of our meal. The chocolate decadence cake was cooked slightly too long because the "molten" chocolate didn't ooze out like it should, served w/a scoop of ice cream. The green tea mousse phyllo was the best, with two-3 inch long bars and a scoop of choc ice cream in between. The mousse texture was like ice cream, firm and cold and a delicious complement to the crispy phyllo. The fruit crepe was a healthy alternative. Our server was friendly and attentive and the wait staff kept our water glasses full and had our napkins refolded on the table when you returned from the restroom. Large portions and good food overall. Definitely plan to be back.

3 Stars: Inexperienced Bartender, Under staffed and lack of customer service (by kimmybearlove)

kimmybearlove — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 01:00:00 GMT

First off, we arrived with another couple. They only had one bartender and the bar was maybe half full. It took us at least 10 minutes to get our drinks. She had the personality of a tree stump. No smile, nothing. The drinks were not poured right. A redbull and vodka should taste like redbull and vodka. Not straight red ull. She didn't know what a vodka press was.. That is a basic drink. I was not impressed at all.

If you are in hurry don't eat here. They had only one waiter for the back room for Saturday night. Terrible. They over 45 minutes to bring out the appetizers and it was probably a good hour in when I had to flag down our waiter to let him know that we have been ready to order our entree, which took a good 45 minutes to arrive.

The food is good ,but definitely not worth the wait. They need to hire a new bartender with a personality and experience and they need to hire more waiters.

4 Stars: creative, tasty food (by al04)

al04 — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 01:00:00 GMT

We went for the Dine About Town prix-fixe 3-course special and it was great. Did a wine pairing with it which was a good deal, about $15 for 3 glasses of wine. Appetizer was a mixed green salad w/ a round of goat cheese that was crispy on the outside and creamy inside. My entree was presented very nicely, like something you'd see on Iron Chef. A flat plate w/ 3 smaller dishes, sweet potato souffle, risotto, and asparagus in pastry. Everything was flavorful and not too heavy, though the souffle tasted so sweet that it was almost like dessert. The wines with each course were very good, though I don't remember what they were. The ambience was a little strange, like a night club, but it was fine. Overall, I had a good experience and would go again.

1 Stars: Very attentive service, but nauseating food (by hdarius)

hdarius — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 01:00:00 GMT

After sitting in the lounge and enjoying a couple delicious and creaditve drinks, we were seated. Once at the table, the servers immediately offered their help with any food/drink questions we had. The menu didn't seem to have any cohesion and once we received our food, at least 3 out of 12 plates weren't barely even touched. My seafood risotto had to be sent back twice due to temperature isues with the seafood and texture issues with the risotto. I would absolutely recommend that you do not eat here, until they have worked out their kinks, gotten a good flow for menu choices and learned how to cook a decent risotto.

5 Stars: Love this Place (by mluerra)

mluerra — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I can certainly see why this place gets such high ratings. We finally got over there last weekend, and the food is nothing short of fabulous! I had the Miso Glazed Seabass, which was soooo delicious. There's also a nice selection of appetizers. The only down side to this restaurant is there are so many delicious things to choose from, you'll have a hard time ordering! Nice bar area too, with great drinks. Definitely on our "favorites" list.

5 Stars: Sexsee, Chic and Fun (by ginafina)

ginafina — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 01:00:00 GMT

This was one great night I had at Circolo. It started with light appetizers and cocktail concoctions of the tastiest magnitude. The Tuna Tartare and Ribs were perfectly seasoned with sweet and spiciness. The drinks were balanced in such a way as well, with a twist on the ordinary Mojito with the addition of Mango juice! Im going to steal this. Anyway, we have a lovely dinner and the service was very attentive yet unobtrusive. Thanks to the cute short haired blondie who had us entertained throughout. And what other way to finish the evening than with some booty shaking. The dj didnt have to save our night but it did help.

2 Stars: Terrible Service (by babyb4910)

babyb4910 — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I have been to this restaurant once and will not go back. Besides the fact that it was FREEZING COLD in the restaurant, and they have cheap bar stools and shoddy decor, this place also has the worst customer service on the planet. Let?s start with the food: 1) the crab salad had about 2 shreds of crab and tasted like garnish, totally gross. 2) The sea bass, although it was delicious, came out freezing cold. When we asked to have the dishes warmed they came back almost the same temperature. 3) The desserts leave a lot to be desired and, 4) the wine list is terrible. Even worse than the mediocre food, was the service. Our waitress was rude and very snotty. She even asked one of my friends if she had ever worked as a waitress because she, my friend, had asked a question about the bill. She basically told us she wanted us to leave because we were the last table there. Then the most horrific part of all, the waitress added additional charges to the bills. We split the bills amongst different cards and it turns out that the waitress ran an additional transaction for 30 dollars on my card and added a 12 dollar increase to others bills. Horrible place, do not go to Circolo.

3 Stars: Average food, awful service. (by grjdean)

grjdean — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 01:00:00 GMT

The first time we went to Circolo, we had a great experience. It was on a weekday night and our group was impressed with the atmosphere (the design of the place is gorgeous), the service, and - most importantly - the food. Our second experience - a few weeks later - was beyond disappointing. From the moment we called in to make a reservation, the person who answered was surly and not at all helpful. Upon arriving at the restaurant, we were greeted with indifference. Heading over to the (mostly empty) bar, we had to wait 15 mins for a drink only to have our wine served in a glass that was still boiling hot and dripping with cleaning fluid. Not the best way to savor a wine. Once seated, things improved a little with our server. our dinner service was OK - not excellent but a vast improvement over the beginning of the night. The food itself lacked a bit of flavor, and the presentation was so so! We had the tuna tartare appetizer that we had enjoyed so much before but the fried yucca chips overpowered the taste of the fish. I was surprise to read all the positive reviews - with so many stellar choices in the city, this one did not whet my palate.

5 Stars: San Francisco's Best Kept Secret (by afrodisiac75)

afrodisiac75 — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I was looking for a dining experience like no other while on vacation this week. I ate at other restaurants before during my past visits, but nothing really capitivated me like by the essence and the Zen feeling from Circolo. From the moment I clicked it up online until I was sitted, I know I wanted to be there. Once I was sitted Sarah, the hostess and waitress for us that evening because they close the kitchen at 8:30 on Sundays. I had a reservation exactly at 8:30 and at no point did my dining companion & I feel rushed to dine quickly.

The Food was phenomenial looking and tantalizing taste for your mouth. An understatement given by my companion and I jointly. I had the Empanadas con Carne and he the Cerviche. I would have been in heaven just on my appetizers but then our meals came. The Augus Ribeye and all its dressing and the Sea Bass. I am usually not into fish but my taste buds were awaken. The food was great, no more to be said about that.

Lastly, Chef Patrick Kehler came to us with a treat. Two of the best desserts I have ever tasted and I have traveled the world as a dessert lover. A Pumpkin tart with ice cream and Dulce de Leche Empanadas with coconut gelato. He personal thanked us for choosing the restaurant and coming from so far across the country and dining at his restaurant. Hands down the honor of having him thank us, when we were praising his craft.

In short, check it out and enjoy the ambience, the flair, the food and staff. San Francisco has a jem with this restaurant. Thanks to Chef Patrick Kehler and staff. Headed there tonight with reservations again...see you there!!!

Fans for life...Jazz & Tom

5 Stars: Great Experience! (by ladi23)

ladi23 — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 02:00:00 GMT

A group of 10 of us went to Circolo for a friend's birthday. We had a wonderful experience. The staff was helpful and attentive. The food and drinks were great. The bill was very reasonable. I would highly recommend this restaurant.

5 Stars: great experience (by doctorbruce)

doctorbruce — Sat, 26 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

looked like a hitt or miss spot, and I thought it was a great dining experience. i liked the tapas dishes with all different kinds of flavors. that is all we had but if the entrees are anything like the appetizers, it must be wonderful. i would recommend this spot to the 30 something crowd since it is chic but not out of this world. a bit loud with great music and some pretty good eye candy. great job to the chef and designer.

2 Stars: Below average food (by city_gal_)

city_gal_ — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

The restaurant decor was really good. I had a cocktail that was good. We ordered appetizers ( prawns chili rellenos, panko crusted chicken, empanadas) entrées (Miso glazed chilean sea bass and steamed ginger bass) and a dessert (peach tart). I think that's a decent variety to make an opinion about the food. All the food was BELOW average. It could be that I picked all the wrong dishes but I didn't enjoy the food at all except for the complimentary edemame table starter. Service was OK, neither good nor bad.

5 Stars: great destination spot (by housemuzikallnightlong)

housemuzikallnightlong — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Read the reviews, but had to formulate an opinion of my own. I think that the interior is beautiful. Accentuated with soft colors and water all over the place. Reminds me a bit of something Ive never seen before. I heard that it turns into a dance area as well, lucky for those without children to put to bed!

The food was great. They conglomerate ingredients borrowed from both latin and asian flavors. I had a miso seabass dish which still lingers at the back of my tongue, awaiting another fix. Ive never seen Kabocha used in such a unique way. With each piece articulately placed in a sweet glaze. The Mango Mojito is a perfect example of this fusion with an asian twist on an old latin favorite.

The service was splendid as well, reading our tastes by what dishes we were deciding between. Not to mention being extremely attentive but not obtrusive. Far out there, but I would suggest this to someone who wants to try something different than the occasional stomping grounds of adventurous foodies.

5 Stars: Great big party (by jessallknight)

jessallknight — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

We had a birthday party to celebrate and this place was perfect. We had a wonderful dinner with a set menu that we actually got to make. Great cocktails catering to the whole spectrum of drinkers. They had this orgazmic drink called the white chocolate martini which I had with my chocolate dessert. Ever see When Harry Met Sally? Well I still get whett (my palette, you sickos!) when I think about it. Regards to the chef for the tasty dinner. Regards to the waiter for tolerating us with a coy smile. Regards to the bartender for a great..drink. :)

1 Stars: Don't waste your dinning experience (by soliestran)

soliestran — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I recently gathered a group of friends at CircoloSF for a friends bday. It is one of those restaurants that tried to be somebody but in the end it doesnt do any of it well. Decor was modern, hip and swanky but the place lacks energy. Food was below average Kobe beef is no Kobe beef if you ever tasted real Kobe beef, soggy Cesar salad and garlic noodle, and sea bass was so blacken on one side that it was not edible and such tiny portion that should be appetizer instead of main-course. Service was mediocre we were practically the only few tables present and we keep having to walk up to look for our waiter for water or more drinks. I am actually surprised to see the good reviews from others as none of us were impressed. Take your money else where to find your culinary satisfaction. Its surely not worth the drive out and most importantly not worth your dinning experience as there are many other good places in SF.

5 Stars: Great spot (by styliekylie)

styliekylie — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Saturday night was a great night at Circolo overall. We were ushered to a great table upstairs in a sleek booth earlier in the evening. We noticed that once we were up there, there was a dj playing some good tunes to the beat of the crowd. The food was wonderful from start to finish, accentuating the flavors of asia and south-america a lot like Nobu's. The service was non-intrusive yet very friendly as well. Later on, as dinner was wrapping up, we moved downstairs to find a seat in the lounge for some great after-dinner drinks. Get the white chocolate martini for dessert. Yum. Thanks for a great night Circolo.

5 Stars: Great fusion food at good price (by bbruin)

bbruin — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Given the trendiness, I was suprised by how great the food was and at a good price...Everything from apps, entree, to dessert were great.

4 Stars: Suprisingly Delightful ;) (by sercity)

sercity — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I came here on friday night to meet some friends from out of town, I had never heard about this place and as I walked through the door I wondered why, a full bar some cool tunes and a New Yorkesque decor were what awaited me, my friends were seated at the bar, enjoying a few cocktails, I joined them and was pleasantly suprised by the Honey do cocktail(it actually tastes like a melon not like candy) after having a few drinks the hostess showed us to our table, after having two appatizer trios with Duck confit ravioli, red curry cod, tuna tar tar, I was ready for my entree, I have eaten all over the city but I have yet to try a fish better than at circolo, the miso glazed seabass, a tender cut of fish atop a bed of coconut rice with sweet kabocha rolls,AMAZING! This fish was so tender and flavorfull it seemed to melt in my mouth, paired with a bottle of tesstarossa chardonnay I couldnt have been happier, by the time we were ready to leave I was absolutly content, I couldnt wait to come back so before I left I booked reservations for my birthday in august, Spread the word the bay areas dining scene just got a little tastier.

1 Stars: horrible (by sarahtymn)

sarahtymn — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 02:00:00 GMT

this place is a total waste of time and money. location sux-trash all over the sidewalk on the way in...slowest service..food simply awful. I have never seen such a bad wine selection. It took 45 mins to get my dessrt. Don't waste your time at this dump.

1 Stars: not recommended (by tuckecj)

tuckecj — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 02:00:00 GMT

crappy food, cold, poor service, unknowledgeable service, wouldnt recommend it, will not go back, worst resturant experience in SF

5 Stars: Superb dining! (by natcat420)

natcat420 — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I visited this restaurant over a year ago and thought everything was ok. A bit cavernous for me, but the food was good. Then I came back to dine here on Thursday for a friends birthday. I was completely in awe with how much they have adjusted their style. The dishes that were presented were beautiful in design and taste. I have a black cod dish that was so delicate and satisfied my somewhat picky palette. I also noticed they opened up the windows so, so much more of the restaurant design was accentuated from inside and out. Kudos to our waitress as well for making our night out the consummate dining experience.

3 Stars: disappointed (by td1831)

td1831 — Sun, 02 Jul 2006 02:00:00 GMT

the tendy- loft atmosphere and complimentary edemame table starter is all i have to say about this out of the way eatery. the place was practically empty, no one at the bar and it was a thursday night. our waiter was nice, but not too good on his recommendations. having always wanted to try kobe beef - i found this entre to be reasonably priced....for what i THOUGHT i was getting. it was some of the worst meat i've ever had. a #2 value meal would have been better. no need to consider going back

5 Stars: Great food and service. (by andylaw)

andylaw — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 02:00:00 GMT

The food was a great. The service was great. The atmosphere was just right until we stayed a little too long. The crowd was coming in and got a little too noisy to a point where I couldn't hear any conversations at my table. The food was very tasty and combinations of the cuisine was very enjoyable. The service was very good and everyone treated my kids like part of the crowd and they enjoyed our waitress. The desserts were very good. My son had to fight for the last piece of the chocolate decadence cake. The gelato dessert was very smooth and light. Very good place to have dinner and party with friends. No problem finding the place and parking was just ok.

5 Stars: Fantastic night out! (by shawnleslie)

shawnleslie — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Some friends and I went to Circolo for the first time last week for one of my friend's birthday. Everything was perfect. Everything we ordered was great. The sides were almost large enough to be main courses themselves. Even better though was the service. Our waiter was really nice and even let us try 5 or 6 wines (my friends were being indecisive) before we settled on a great bottle that he recommended. We had not told our waiter that it was our friend's birthday, but he overheard us talking about it and, when our dessert came out, the words "happy birthday" had been spelled out in chocolate across my friend's plate. What a great end to a wonderful dining experience! We'll definitely be back!

5 Stars: Amazing restaurant (by sfgrl100)

sfgrl100 — Fri, 26 May 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Went to dinner with a few friends for a birthday party. The waiter was amazing. The food was amazing. They completely catered to our table. We ended having dinner for over 3 hours. We were not rushed or pushed out. This is an amazing restaurant. The food is fantastic.

5 Stars: EAT THE MEAT! (by dogdoug)

dogdoug — Thu, 04 May 2006 02:00:00 GMT

"I just had the Kobe beef at Circolo for the second time,and I feel the need to write about it. Not only is the Kobe some of the most delicate beef you will ever taste, you can also feel good about eating it! It is all about no added hormones, no added antibiotics, and the cattle are on a 100% vegetarian diet (for all you meat eating vegans out there!)
They recently switched meat distributors, and when I came in after that and had the Ribeye, which is extremely affordable, I could feel the difference of the cut just by pressing my knife on it.
John behind the bar can always pair the perfect wine with your meal.
Patrick the chef is always changing the menu and creating exciting new dishes which keeps the feel fresh.

5 Stars: My new hangout (by samthebabylamb)

samthebabylamb — Mon, 10 Apr 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I love the food and drinks here. They have a nice blend of different signature cocktails that are oh so tasty. I would suggest getting the Watini drink or the White Chocolate yum! The entrees we had were some of the best fish dishes ive ever tasted in my life. I suggest any fish dish here (mainly the Miso-Halibut). Didnt get to try any red meat but I will on my next visit. Thanks a lot to the Chef for the wonderful experience!

1 Stars: Overly Complicated Fusion (by mbar5sam)

mbar5sam — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I love restaurants and dining. I was very intrigued with the idea of Latin food with Asian flair. The decor of the restaurant is very nice, the wait staff were very friendly, the drinks were excellent, but the food is HORRIBLE! I felt the food was trying to incorporate too much and failed in flavor and was terrible. I really wanted the food to be great, but it was a great disappointment

5 Stars: Coming back for more (by christhizzle)

christhizzle — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 01:00:00 GMT

Thanks Circolo for making my Anniversary dinner something special. Despite the grey skies and rain, I decided to make it out since so many people have told me about this restaurant. I was pleased to find this oasis in the industrial dessert of Potrero Hill. But for what they lacked in convenience, they made up in everything else. I will try to make a couple of these dishes for my wife, but Im sure she'll just send me back to opentable for reservations to this place.

2 Stars: Would never go back (by mauriceah)

mauriceah — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I've tried various restaurants in Northern California. I've eaten at Terra, Cyrus, French Laundry, Ame, Quince's, Boulevard, Gary Denko, etc., etc. If you are looking for Peruvian-esque food, go to Limon for better food. Circolo had good appetizers but had horrible entrees. The sole was subpar, the lamb was tasteless, the sides were bland, the paella was a rissotto. This restaurant tries to be too many things...peruvian, chinese, japanese...it goes on. Not worth your money. The drinks were watered down and their signature drink did not taste very good.

5 Stars: Loving this place (by zaraangel)

zaraangel — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 01:00:00 GMT

It was nice to have such a nice meal backed up with such good service. I tried the Seabass and it was divine. My hubby had the Ribeye and only gave me a bite but it wonderful. Natural cornfed is the only way to go. Thanks to the staff who saw to it that my first experience was something to remember.

3 Stars: HORRIBLE service! (by brian_elizabeth)

brian_elizabeth — Sun, 12 Mar 2006 01:00:00 GMT

It was really too bad that our server last night was so inattentive (after 4 requests, we still didn't get the naan we'd ordered and ended up just cancelling) because everything else at Circolo was just fine. The food was good, the DJ who was spinning in the back room made the mood just right, and the decor is original yet comfortable. Hopefully, our first experience isn't the norm. We'll give it one more try...

5 Stars: Fantastic! (by elenai)

elenai — Thu, 16 Feb 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I took a group of 13 to Circolo on a Saturday night. We were seated in a chic private back room. The service was fantastic (thanks to Sara, our waitress). Every time someone left the table, they'd come back to a folded napkin. The ambiance was perfect. Beautiful surroundings, including a lot of running water and interesting lighting. The food was delicious. We ordered practically every appetizer - they disappeared in minutes! My vegetarian meal (Mil Hojas) came with a variety of foods, including a whole fried plantain. The meat eaters in the group were very pleased (apparently the Ribeye steak was great). And to top it off, the bill did not break the bank. The prices were very reasonable. Everyone in my group was extremely happy. It was a total success. I would definitely go back, even with a small group.

3 Stars: way too pricey! (by girlsniteout)

girlsniteout — Thu, 16 Feb 2006 01:00:00 GMT

Too bad the food was not as good as it looks. The resturant/bar was trendy and hip - great place to hang out before or after dinner, socialize with friends or throw an party. The service was standard, not very attentive. What's more dissappointing was the food. Our entree was cold and I would have asked our waitress to heat it up or something but she was no where to be found. Also their cocktail list is not impressive. Watini is one of the better cocktails there. I will not eat here again.

5 Stars: I am impressed! (by bbzeta439)

bbzeta439 — Thu, 09 Feb 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I was one of the people that were invited for tasting before the offical opening and I wasn't impressed at the time. The food was a bit salty for my taste. One night out in the town, I decided to try again and get some food before the clubs. We called in 10 mins prior to our arrival. When we arrived, the hostess was friendly and explained that they have a private party and will seat us promtly. We were seated shortly and I was impressed by the service. Never once we had to ask for refill on water. The food arrived fast and the kobe beef was amazing. some of our friends got stuck outside the restaurant due to a party but the security was understanding & got our friends in without paying the cover charge. Overall, I was very amazed by the food, service and professionalism.

2 Stars: great ambiance - awful food, awful service (by pel11)

pel11 — Tue, 31 Jan 2006 01:00:00 GMT

The food was way overpriced and not very good at all. Great decor and atmosphere, but slow unattentive service. Parking was easy.

4 Stars: Attentive Service, good ambiance & food (by bien904)

bien904 — Fri, 09 Dec 2005 01:00:00 GMT

I was highly impressed with their attentive customer service. At a private event, starting from the entrance until I left, I was astounded and pleased with their consistent manner and professionalism. Another great thing is their decor, its nice modern feel. Great touches of decoration without being overpowering. Lastly, the food is great at fair prices. Specialities like rack of lamb, fried prawn with sweet sauce, seafood... all is wonderful. Highly Recommended!!

1 Stars: well..if you are looking for real good food... (by stickyamor)

stickyamor — Mon, 14 Nov 2005 01:00:00 GMT

I dont think fusion is a great thing in this place. the food is horribly made. Especially that wasabe meshed potato. It was mixed with Mexican, asian, or Americanetc and nothing taste right. It was a mess. My friend has to pre-paid 400 dollor for the reservation. When we got there, they have nothing ready and we had to wait for 30 min. only 5 types of beer rut out 2. I felt being ripe off by these people.

5 Stars: great for a group (by supernova)

supernova — Wed, 09 Nov 2005 01:00:00 GMT

had a group dinner here in a private room and thought the service and food were fantastic. the atmoshere is hip , very modern decor, but its done well. so often the food/service suffers with a scenester cliente but they do all the right things. highly recommend.

5 Stars: love the place (by lastnapolean)

lastnapolean — Wed, 19 Oct 2005 02:00:00 GMT

Simply put, fabulous. Thanks to our waiter Marcel for a wonderful evening with my family and friends. Exotic latin wines. Great food and ambience. Cant wait for my next visit to this hiddem gem. Out of the way, but well worth the exceptional experience.

1 Stars: Rude Managers (by rkeezy)

rkeezy — Sun, 16 Oct 2005 02:00:00 GMT

Considering how much business we brought, the owner/manager treated us as if we were homeless. We had to make a bar tab of several thousand dollars at a specific bar in the restaurant. The manager refused to even staff a bartender before or during dinner, forcing us to spend money at another bar that we could have been putting toward our tab. We still blew the tab away, netting them thousands, and the manager still charged us for the three plates that we said we would meet. Anybody who knows restaurant business knows that word of mouth is the best advertisement... he should have just wrote off the $100 or so he might have lost just to come off looking like a gracious host. I don't recommend this place for larger events.

5 Stars: The place to be!!! (by sweetybecca)

sweetybecca — Sat, 15 Oct 2005 02:00:00 GMT

I went to Circolo for a birthday dinner with my girls for a friends birthday and it was outstanding. When you walk in you will notice the contemporary asian design complimented by the creative lighting. Then the staff (um.. hotties) catering to all of our needs, recommending the best cocktails the city has to offer which are exclusive to their restaurant. I suggest the mango mojito and the lychee gimlet mmmm. The service timing and waiter suggestions were also a great touch. Thanks to the chef for our great food and dessert was to die for (I will never look at an Empenada the same!).

1 Stars: HATED IT!!! (by deecritic)

deecritic — Sat, 08 Oct 2005 02:00:00 GMT

Circolo had such great potential to be a better place. I usually make the best of things but this place was horrible. Bouncers were shouting at the people in line, they were trying to be so exclusive and yet the people inside were sloppy (some were even carrying backpacks!), $10 cover charge, the live house music was awesome that night though. Great-looking, rude staff and the $10 drinks (in a small plastic cup, mind you) barely even had a trace of alcohol in it. I would NEVER go back to this place again unless they changed their staff to be friendlier and didn't try to rip off my money.

5 Stars: great time (by jwilson72)

jwilson72 — Thu, 29 Sep 2005 02:00:00 GMT

had our company party there recently in the beautiful private room, and everything went so smoothly. The food was excellent, drinks were tasty, and the service impeccable. Had our own music, bartender, and staff that catered to our requests- and the manager on site was very friendly and accomodating to our special needs. Will definitely go back with friends!

5 Stars: great food, very stylish restaurant (by jrtesboli)

jrtesboli — Fri, 26 Aug 2005 02:00:00 GMT

this restaurant is very unique both in decor and atmosphere, and our dinner was outstanding (chili prawns & empanadas, kobe beef & steamed fish). The chef actually came to our table to chat for a bit during the latter part of the evening, a rarity that's very pleasant and welcome in the San Francisco dining scene.

the decor is very upscale & trendy, but not overdone.

will definitely dine here again

5 Stars: This place was awesome (by elliot223)

elliot223 — Fri, 26 Aug 2005 02:00:00 GMT

Circolo had a great feel to it. We arrived at about 7:00 pm for some cocktails in their lounge. After enjoying a few drinks with my friends we were promptly seated upstairs in one of their "private booths". Our server Marcel was very accommodating and the food was fantastic! I highly recommend the Sole. There was a DJ that night spinning some upbeat music and everything seemed to click there. I visit San Francisco about once a year and I will definitely be back!

5 Stars: Most bang for your buck!!! (by aznucdboy)

aznucdboy — Mon, 08 Aug 2005 02:00:00 GMT

I had my birthday dinner at Circolo. The staff was extremely courteous and patient with my party of 23. Everyone was raving how wonderfully delicious their meals were. I especially enjoyed my kobe beef. After dinner, we were invited to lounge by the bar where they also have an intimate lounge where we all shared delectable drinks before heading out for dancing. I highly recommend dining at Circolo.

1 Stars: Specializes in the bar scene?? (by withatouch)

withatouch — Sat, 25 Jun 2005 02:00:00 GMT

The bouncers have serious egos at this place and like to throw their authority around. The music was good, but there's nothing special about this place worth dealing with such attitude.

5 Stars: "Scene" restaurant w/ good food! (by nips)

nips — Mon, 30 May 2005 02:00:00 GMT

I had my b-day dinner at Circolo and my group and I were all pleasantly surprised by the quality and value of our meal. I was nervous because usually "scene" restaurants are notorious for low caliber food. But the drink selection was excellent and the quality of the fish, lamb, chicken were outstanding. EVERYONE in my group enjoyed all the appetizers (except my b-friend and i weren't crazy about the arepas), entrees and the desserts. The music wasn't too loud so we could hear each other and we enjoy house so it definitely worked for us. I hope more people check this place out. It's a place where the chic SOMA folks will enjoy, but I also had a few friends from the Marina who had a great time, too, and wouldn't stop raving about the fish! It's a surprising find and successfully pulls off chic, upscale, upscale, vibrant...

4 Stars: A very chic place (by tiffwch)

tiffwch — Wed, 18 May 2005 02:00:00 GMT

This place hit me beyond expectation. I was anticipating another shishi fake fusion wannabe, but it ended up to be a very enjoyable dining experience overally. Went with a friend for cocktail and dinner, was very happy to see the cocktail menu with a variety of yummy drinks (lychee martini, for example). We made reservation for 2 at 7:00, but since the restaurant was not too busy, we sat at the lounge area drinking and chatting for about 45 min. without being interrupted or rushed by the hostess to sit down and eat (which was very nice but rare). The food was quite impressive comparing to its peers in the same frou frou rank: Ceviche was so-so, but the main entrees, the peking duck (non traditional but still tasty) and pork chop were very good. The service was friendly without too much perkiness. Overall a very nice dining experience.

5 Stars: great to showcase! (by ucsfrx)

ucsfrx — Wed, 11 May 2005 02:00:00 GMT

Our overall experience at Circolo a couple of weeks ago was absolutely incredible! After a long day of entertaining guests from out of town, we wanted to finish the night off right by treating them to a great meal and a chic new place. Circolo definitely impressed as the food was outstanding (try the prawns w/chilies and the sweet ribs), and the service impeccable. Our waiter (marcello?) gave us some great recommendations with both the food and wine- and the lounge had plenty of hip and attractive people. The only con that i can think of is that the place was a bit hard to find as we had never traveled into that area before. But now that we know how to get there we'll definitely be back.

A great place to take guests from out of town as there aren't many places in the city like this!

1 Stars: Circle of Hell (by yassi411)

yassi411 — Mon, 09 May 2005 02:00:00 GMT

This is a club that is a restaurant wanna-be. If you want to find a nice romantic place for a date, or a business gathering, or an evening with friends, THIS IS NOT THE PLACE. The place was designed for club goers and the bar scene rather than really fabulous dining. How can you eat with BAD house music blaring? The service is atrocious. The food was cold, the servers were inaccessible, and the silverware was dirty. I had to wait 45 minutes to get a table WITH reservations. I had to refill my own water glass. The wine list is far from the quality expected from such a place. Spend your money somewhere else!

5 Stars: Fabulous find! (by starrynight28)

starrynight28 — Tue, 29 Mar 2005 01:00:00 GMT

Circolo is a fantastic dining experience all around: great food, drinks, service, and ambience. I took a friend here for her birthday and our group had a great time. Our waitress and the entire wait staff was extremely attentive; we never had to ask for anything. The food itself is worth a trip b/c it's fresh, inventive, and DELICIOUS. If you like martinis, try the lychee gimlet martini, it's definitely worth the $8. The ambience is very NY-chic: dim lighting, loungey background music, sleek, modern interior and, with an open kitchen, makes it very easy to converse. Overall, if you haven't been yet, I highly recommend trying it out!

5 Stars: Fantastic Food with Great Service (by marianam)

marianam — Mon, 21 Mar 2005 01:00:00 GMT

Last Saturday we tried Circolo for the first time. It is great to walk into a place with such high and fun energy level and lots of good looking people having a great time. We had to wait longer than we anticipated, but the bartender solved the problem with flavorfull mango mojitos and Lychi Gimlets... Simply the best. The upstair room where we we had dinner was very romantic and filled with candel light. The Sevice friendly and very professional made up for all the wating. He recommended the Rib Eye Stake and Lamb....both cooked to perfection. The wine recommendations by the server were right on and accentuated the wonderful and exotic flavors. From the impacable service to the appetizers and main courses, to the very diverse wine list, Circolo fullfilled all our expectations. Great place for an unforgetable dinning experience and a hip place to be in SF.

5 Stars: Perfect Date Spot (by eiken)

eiken — Mon, 14 Feb 2005 01:00:00 GMT

After much research trying to find a hip place to bring my date for our first night out, I trodded away from my familiar date spots and tried Circolo. I like the fact there is a lounge separated from the restaurant. Very hip and music is awesome. The live DJ was an added bonus and reminded me of a New York lounge. Food was spectacular, service was friendly and the drinks were AWESOME. Usually I don't try to get my dates drunk on the first date but we were having such a great time. Their Mojitos are perhaps the best I had in the city. Highly recommend trying the Ginger Pollo appetizer, and the Lamb, very delicious.

5 Stars: One Word: Awesome! (by thecreek17)

thecreek17 — Mon, 07 Feb 2005 01:00:00 GMT

"Diamond-in-the-Rough" for the Potrero/Mission neighborhood. We were greeted warmly by the hostess and bar, and took seats in the lounge. I went to the bar (hot bartenders!) and asked what they recommended. We were advised the Lychee Gimlet and Mango Mojito - both were dangerously delicious and unique in a city culinarily crowded. I asked to look over the menu and was surprised that even the bar staff was able to give a full breakdown of the dishes, specifically recommending the Whole Fish. The lounge possessed hip atmosphere and the music allowed comfortable conversation. Upon sitting for dinner, our waitress was pleasant, and the wine selection, though brief, complimented the Latin-Asian fusion menu delectably. The Whole Fish was delicious, and the Spiced-Ginger cake for dessert was phenomenal. Service was great with a personal, family feel. A relief to find a place that, like Europe, turns a meal into an event!

4 Stars: found a new dinner spot (by jdalt)

jdalt — Tue, 01 Feb 2005 01:00:00 GMT

After trying several new restaurants this past month during the fabulous dine about town- Both circolo and bix are definitely on my list of places to come back to! The whole fish and rack of lamb were very tasty, and the ginger cake for dessert was phenomenal. Didn't expect to find a restaurant like this in the neighboring potrero/mission area, thanks D.A.T.!

4 Stars: The Place to be (by leila77)

leila77 — Mon, 31 Jan 2005 01:00:00 GMT

A group of us ladies who are always looking for new places to eat and have some after work drinks stumbled upon Circolo after taking a wrong turn. We had a marvelous meal (we've been back since and the service is definitely improving) and stayed for the club scene. AMAZING MOJITO's and a vibe that never gets old. Wonderful managerial staff and the whole setting is so inviting. Well priced and lots off good-looking people.

1 Stars: I'd rather stick glass in my eye (by ic99)

ic99 — Thu, 27 Jan 2005 01:00:00 GMT

This place doesn't know what it wants to be. The menu is everywhere, the wine list is unimpressive and they recruited their wait staff from the local high school. The waiter could not pronouce the items on the menu, could not bring the right bottle of wine and when told that the seabass was raw, he responded w/ "...that's the way we cook it here" and promptly turned on his heel and walked off. Then the manager tried to pacify us w/ a tour of the lounge...I'm sorry, I thought I was at a restaurant?? The food was pretty but not really edible. They just moved the furniture around from when it was Gordon's and dimmed the lights. Unimpressive so don't waste your time & money when there are so many yummy places in SF.

5 Stars: great food, nice bar/lounge (by bsmith92)

bsmith92 — Thu, 13 Jan 2005 01:00:00 GMT

brought my brother and friends there for dinner and drinks this past sat- had a great meal (try the raviolis & the trout) and stayed afterwards for the pretty hip lounge scene. The food & ambience kind've reminded us of a few spots back home in NYC- spice market and tao (for those of you who've been)

the prices seemed very reasonable as our dinner tab came up to less than $30/person.

5 Stars: great food, pretty decent service (by jasminet)

jasminet — Sun, 05 Dec 2004 01:00:00 GMT

Went there this past weekend, was a bit hesitant at first because of some of the reviews re: the service, but decided to try it out because some friends recommended it.

Food was excellent as prior posts had it, service was actually pretty good even though the restaurant was packed.

Only con might be that we waited about 10-15 minutes for our table, but we had drinks in the lounge during that time so things were fine.

5 Stars: Sleek new place, with friendly people (by sally24)

sally24 — Mon, 11 Oct 2004 02:00:00 GMT

I had a great evening at Circolo this past weekend. Despite the place being very busy, on saturday, our whole group felt well taken care of. We had a range of items off the menu. All were good, although i would highly reccomend the seafood trio. Sitting in the comfy booths up top is great, especially if you want to get away from the noise, and enjoy conversation, and the music. Great place overall, with a very friendly, and accomodating staff. The team of chefs are implants from other places of note around the city, like the pastry chef, who is from Asia De Cuba.

2 Stars: Such a disappointment (by lolasmommy)

lolasmommy — Mon, 04 Oct 2004 02:00:00 GMT

After a long day at the office, all I wanted was a decent meal with my honey...what I got instead was an earful of noise, a table directly in front of the kitchen, overpriced and underseasoned food, and a HUGE bar bill because our waiter had overcharged us for every glass of wine we had. The chairs and tables are awful downstairs- unsteady and ridiculously tiny and uncomfortable. The tables and chairs are really cramped, as well. The place could be ok for after-work drinks or as a pre-party destination on the weekends, but skip the food and try to get a table UPSTAIRS.

1 Stars: Awful Customer Service (by shadiz)

shadiz — Wed, 01 Sep 2004 02:00:00 GMT

The management is rude and customer service is terrible. Our reservation for a Party of 20 was made for Friday, instead of Thursday. Cell phone was left behind, retreived by the staff and retaurant confrimed that they had it. When I went by to pick it up, it had "some how" disappeared. No aopology, offer of compensation or any other courtesy was extended. In fact, I got a whole lot of attitute and run around. Not my idea of customer service...... would not recomment at all.

2 Stars: circo-no (by fissure)

fissure — Fri, 27 Aug 2004 02:00:00 GMT

The food was ok (3 of my friends liked the salmon, bass and pork chop dish). My curry noodle with beef was salty, overspiced and overpriced. Everything was overpriced, although presentation was pleasing.

The passion fruit martini I had was great, but at $8 was not a value-especially since the waiter brought me a glass that was 2/3 full!

It's a shame I live right by and all the restaurants in that hood are really overpriced!

2 Stars: Don't waste your money (by alc)

alc — Wed, 18 Aug 2004 02:00:00 GMT

Go for a drink to see the buzz but avoid eating there. The food is medicre at best--the lamb shank is a disagrace. The prices are outrageous. Service is unprofessional and snooty.

5 Stars: Cutting-Edge Soma Restaurant (by tomclark)

tomclark — Sat, 31 Jul 2004 02:00:00 GMT

Circolo is dazzling with its delightfully-engaging service, soaring decor with elan and succulent, delectable food. The type of place you'd expect to see in a high-tech Bond movie, the food and service live up to the decor. You'll find incredibly succulent short ribs and calamari, superb lamb shank in wine-reduction sauce and duck breast with foie gras, to say nothing of delicious breads with chipotle butter. Desserts are also spectacular including such creativities as Flan with Ginger-Lychee Granita and the eye-boggling Mango soup surrounded by home-made Ice Cream Sandwiches. Top everything off with an inventive wine list, and you'll have a delightful rewarding evening.

5 Stars: amazing (by diningnurse)

diningnurse — Wed, 28 Jul 2004 02:00:00 GMT

Some of the best food and service I have had in a long time. We went on a Friday night close to 7pm and even though it was busy was able to squeeze in without a reservation. Our waiter was amazing, very informative about everything to do with the menu and specials, and extremely nice and helpful. All the staff for that matter were friendly and nice. The manager came up to say hello as did the chef. The seafood trio we had to start was amazing as was the two fish specials we got. Also we got a free sweet potato soup to start and free sourbet at the end of the meal. Definetly recommend the coconut flan was awesome. will definetly be back.

2 Stars: Not there yet... (by cyberdoggie)

cyberdoggie — Tue, 29 Jun 2004 02:00:00 GMT

What a place. It looks stunning and has been quite refurbished with more couches. Fun cocktaillist. But avoid for dinner. Bad service ("no, please don't take my plate while I am still eating") along with mediocre food show that there's a lot of room for improvement. Steam table sweet and sour Wok veggies were the worst. Great (and gratis) starter of squash soup with crabmeat though!

4 Stars: You spin me round, round... (by howudoinsf)

howudoinsf — Thu, 24 Jun 2004 02:00:00 GMT

Popped in for a birthday dinner, Circolo's exterior is unmarked and unassuming. Inside, a stylish blue bar and lounge welcome you. The dining room lies behind a metal mesh curtain with a small loft area with oval booths. Food is Latin/Asian/fusion, the costillitas (ribs) and dumplings were great appetizers, the kobe beef not as successful. My dinner of tempura salmon stuffed with crab was very good and the desserts were very creative and well presented, one being an edible chinese food container. Service was very professional and chic, all staff in black. Overall a very trendy spot with good food at an ok price. Only up for 6 weeks, expect Circolo to improve with time

5 Stars: New favorite (by lil_undies)

lil_undies — Mon, 07 Jun 2004 02:00:00 GMT

I tried this place out based off of the menu and both the food and service well exceeded my expectations. The crab stuffed swordfish was excellent and everyone from the greeter to the kind gentleman explaining the new restaurant where friendly and helpful.

5 Stars: Perfect (by tommypickle)

tommypickle — Sat, 29 May 2004 02:00:00 GMT

The only thing I can say here to really do this place justice is recommend things that will elevate it from "Perfect" to a completely new and unheard of level. The service was amazing, the food creative, the decor modern and elegatn, and the drinks inspired.

The only thing that would improve this place would be to have a better oyster selection (they just have unnamed oysters on the half shell).

This is one of the only restaurants where I was in love with the appetizers and the entrees. Both were creative and well done. The trio of duck, which serves a foie gras unspoiled by too many unnecessary flavors (like pears, etc, at other places) mixed in, was amazing.