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The server was very attentive to our group of 4 people. This has a very relaxing environmen with a variety of music playing throughout the restaurant. I ordered the turkey burger and asked for them to hold the tomato. The fries were very crisp and not over cooked and taste similar to beer battered. The turkey burger was wet and not dry at all. I believe the turkey patty was hand made with some chives or pieces of jalapeño. The jalapeño aioli enhances and provides deep burger.
Went to Circa for happy hour and it did not disappoint. We started with the tuna poke nachos - super satisfying without feeling heavy- and the wagyu meatball sliders, which were easily a standout. The basil aioli in the sliders alone is worth going back for. For drinks, we got the Purple Rain. It's incredibly refreshing but definitely has a spicy kick, so maybe skip it if you're sensitive to heat. The "So Fresh & So Green" cocktail really lived up to its name - light, crisp, and refreshing. My friend ordered the Tranquilo and loved it (perfect if you're into mezcal). The indoor space was pretty packed for a Thursday afternoon, but the vibe was still great. They also have an enclosed outdoor seating area with a bar that looked really nice. On top of that, the staff were kind and attentive throughout. Overall, a solid happy hour spot I'd come back to.
An easy location to get, a colleague and I popped into CIRCA for lunch. We sat at the bar and the bartender was very attentive. There was a decent crowd for the lunch hour. The food and the beverage was were very delicious. Regardless of location, I don't think I have had a bad experience at CIRCA.
We stopped in here for a late lunch after a lengthy day or walking and touring the city, so it was quite an oasis. We chose to sit inside due to windy day, but the sheltered patio did appear appealing. Our food was delicious and had lovely presentation and variety of flavors. Service was a 4/5 due to oversight on bringing some of the drinks to the table until after food has been served, not checking in to see if all was well, servers handing our table off without explanation, and bringing food out sporadically rather than at least being close with timing. Manager did stop by on her rounds near the end of our meal, but otherwise seemed to be preoccupied with other matters. Restaurant was low to mild noise level with almost 1/2 of the tables being in service during mid afternoon, comfortable seating, and we took note and admired all of the interesting and unique dishes brought to our table.
Overall 4.5 out of 5 1st dish - Tuna Poke Nachos ° With a bit more finesse, they could be one of the best I've tried. - What I mean is that the ingredients weren't very well spread around. Had it been evenly distributed, would have been killer with every bite. ° Micro greens really brought the dish up. Heck, just give a little more of the greens all around the dish and it's perfect. 2nd dish - Jambalaya ° Nice and well dressed with sauce ° All ingredient were tasty ° Enjoyed every bite Service was good and timely. My biggest complaint would be the heat on the patio. But I also didn't ask to change it either. But wow, after walking from the Nat. Mall to Circa, it was way too much heat.
The location is great - right across the screen from the foggy bottom metro station. We got outdoor seating since it was warm outside and it was nice. The service was slow despite the restaurant not having enough people. We got water about 20 minutes after we were seated. The food was also okay - nothing spectacular. I ordered the steak and eggs that were supposed to come with home fries but they came with roasted potatoes. When I asked the server she gave a very confused answer and basically said you only get fries at dinner and at brunch we give you whatever potatoes??? I've never experienced this anywhere else but I usually try not to send food back so I didn't. The steak was overcooked. I asked for a medium and was served what was very close to a well done. It was charred and clearly overcooked beyond even medium well. The beignets we got for the table were very good tho.
The service here is good, and I have always been accommodated with a space even when the restaurant is super busy. The shaded patio area is nice especially in good weather, although the medical centers next door receive loud siren and helicopter traffic. I like the variety of vegetarian options!
Foggy Bottom stop. Strong decision. First things first: the Brussels + Blue? Elite opener. Crispy charred Brussels sprouts with that funky blue cheese situation happening -- savory, bold, fork-after-fork behavior. The kind of appetizer that disappears mid-conversation. Now let's talk about the real MVP: our server. Jen hits her with the classic fork-in-the-road dilemma: "Chicken Pillard versus Jambalaya?" Without hesitation: "If you want a little spice in your life, then Jambalaya." Okayyy. Energy. Direction. We like that. Naturally, I escalate. "Aiight... Chicken Pillard versus Tequila Filet Tips Linguine?" She keeps it simple: "Well, it's chicken versus beef. If you like beef, then filet tips." No culinary dissertation. No dramatic pause. Just facts. Efficient. Confident. Helpful. Passed the vibe check with flying colors. For the record -- Chicken Pillard is apparently popular. It just didn't survive our bracket. Tough matchup. Heavy hitters on the board. Atmosphere felt polished but not pretentious. Lively without being chaotic. The kind of place where you can roll in casual but still feel like you made a solid choice. Would absolutely return. Would absolutely consult that server again. And yes -- Brussels + Blue is non-negotiable.
I ordered food through Uber. They didn't include utensils as requested. The short rib was not worth the price; it was severely lacking in flavor and tenderness. The brioche bread pudding was very good. The white chocolate, creme and caramel was a great combination over the fluffy bread that is also crispy in the right places.
We walked down few blocks from our hotel . The staff welcomed us immediately and told us there was a short wait so we made our way to the bar. We both ordered drinks.. our bartender helped me choose as I just wanted something a little sweet but refreshing and he hit nail on the head! We were seated shortly after getting drinks . We ordered wagu sliders as an app and wow they had great flavor! The waitress was so nice and checked to make sure we were happy . I ordered seared tuna salad.. it was very tasty. I highly recommend this place.. foods amazing and staff top notch.. it can be a little loud as it's a busy place but worth it.
The meatballs sliders were amazing! Stopped in for dinner before a show at the Kennedy center and this place was great. Drinks were on point, and did I mentioned the meatball sliders? you gotta try them. Seasonal salad was pretty good, grilled chicken was super fresh, just could have used a bit more dressing and goat cheese. Service on the patio was great, but it was a bit noisy out there during happy hour.
Went back for lunch today. Again, the meal was very good and the service excellent. Today, we tried the Vegi-Quinoa Salad and the soup of the day (Chicken Tortilla). The soup ($8) was not a huge portion, but was so filling we each took half of our delicious entrees home for dinner. As was true the last time, the service was very good, especially keeping our water glasses full. Place has a nice vibe. Classy yet comfortable.
26 days ago
This flatbread tasted great in my opinion. Although I got a single item for takeout, I thought I didn't have to wait too long for my order. The flatbread itself tasted good and I would order again. Indoors, it seemed pretty clean and somewhere I would get drinks someday. Will definitely have to check out this establishment for a sit down experience soon! read more
The server was very attentive to our group of 4 people. This has a very relaxing environmen with a variety of music playing throughout the restaurant. I ordered the turkey burger and asked for them to hold the tomato. The fries were very crisp and not over cooked and taste similar to beer battered. The turkey burger was wet and not dry at all. I believe the turkey patty was hand made with some chives or pieces of jalapeño. The jalapeño aioli enhances and provides deep burger. read more
Went to Circa for happy hour and it did not disappoint. We started with the tuna poke nachos - super satisfying without feeling heavy- and the wagyu meatball sliders, which were easily a standout. The basil aioli in the sliders alone is worth going back for. For drinks, we got the Purple Rain. It's incredibly refreshing but definitely has a spicy kick, so maybe skip it if you're sensitive to heat. The "So Fresh & So Green" cocktail really lived up to its name - light, crisp, and refreshing. My friend ordered the Tranquilo and loved it (perfect if you're into mezcal). The indoor space was pretty packed for a Thursday afternoon, but the vibe was still great. They also have an enclosed outdoor seating area with a bar that looked really nice. On top of that, the staff were kind and attentive throughout. Overall, a solid happy hour spot I'd come back to. read more
An easy location to get, a colleague and I popped into CIRCA for lunch. We sat at the bar and the bartender was very attentive. There was a decent crowd for the lunch hour. The food and the beverage was were very delicious. Regardless of location, I don't think I have had a bad experience at CIRCA. read more
We stopped in here for a late lunch after a lengthy day or walking and touring the city, so it was quite an oasis. We chose to sit inside due to windy day, but the sheltered patio did appear appealing. Our food was delicious and had lovely presentation and variety of flavors. Service was a 4/5 due to oversight on bringing some of the drinks to the table until after food has been served, not checking in to see if all was well, servers handing our table off without explanation, and bringing food out sporadically rather than at least being close with timing. Manager did stop by on her rounds near the end of our meal, but otherwise seemed to be preoccupied with other matters. Restaurant was low to mild noise level with almost 1/2 of the tables being in service during mid afternoon, comfortable seating, and we took note and admired all of the interesting and unique dishes brought to our table. read more
7 hours ago
11 months ago
Overall 4.5 out of 5 1st dish - Tuna Poke Nachos ° With a bit more finesse, they could be one of the best I've tried. - What I mean is that the ingredients weren't very well spread around. Had it been evenly distributed, would have been killer with every bite. ° Micro greens really brought the dish up. Heck, just give a little more of the greens all around the dish and it's perfect. 2nd dish - Jambalaya ° Nice and well dressed with sauce ° All ingredient were tasty ° Enjoyed every bite Service was good and timely. My biggest complaint would be the heat on the patio. But I also didn't ask to change it either. But wow, after walking from the Nat. Mall to Circa, it was way too much heat. read more
The location is great - right across the screen from the foggy bottom metro station. We got outdoor seating since it was warm outside and it was nice. The service was slow despite the restaurant not having enough people. We got water about 20 minutes after we were seated. The food was also okay - nothing spectacular. I ordered the steak and eggs that were supposed to come with home fries but they came with roasted potatoes. When I asked the server she gave a very confused answer and basically said you only get fries at dinner and at brunch we give you whatever potatoes??? I've never experienced this anywhere else but I usually try not to send food back so I didn't. The steak was overcooked. I asked for a medium and was served what was very close to a well done. It was charred and clearly overcooked beyond even medium well. The beignets we got for the table were very good tho. read more
5 days ago
25 days ago
Swung by here to have a martini with a friend Robbie took amazing care of us. Made the martini exactly how we wanted with at least 30 shakes. All of this while it was his birthday!! read more
The service here is good, and I have always been accommodated with a space even when the restaurant is super busy. The shaded patio area is nice especially in good weather, although the medical centers next door receive loud siren and helicopter traffic. I like the variety of vegetarian options! read more
Foggy Bottom stop. Strong decision. First things first: the Brussels + Blue? Elite opener. Crispy charred Brussels sprouts with that funky blue cheese situation happening -- savory, bold, fork-after-fork behavior. The kind of appetizer that disappears mid-conversation. Now let's talk about the real MVP: our server. Jen hits her with the classic fork-in-the-road dilemma: "Chicken Pillard versus Jambalaya?" Without hesitation: "If you want a little spice in your life, then Jambalaya." Okayyy. Energy. Direction. We like that. Naturally, I escalate. "Aiight... Chicken Pillard versus Tequila Filet Tips Linguine?" She keeps it simple: "Well, it's chicken versus beef. If you like beef, then filet tips." No culinary dissertation. No dramatic pause. Just facts. Efficient. Confident. Helpful. Passed the vibe check with flying colors. For the record -- Chicken Pillard is apparently popular. It just didn't survive our bracket. Tough matchup. Heavy hitters on the board. Atmosphere felt polished but not pretentious. Lively without being chaotic. The kind of place where you can roll in casual but still feel like you made a solid choice. Would absolutely return. Would absolutely consult that server again. And yes -- Brussels + Blue is non-negotiable. read more
I ordered food through Uber. They didn't include utensils as requested. The short rib was not worth the price; it was severely lacking in flavor and tenderness. The brioche bread pudding was very good. The white chocolate, creme and caramel was a great combination over the fluffy bread that is also crispy in the right places. read more
13 days ago
1 year ago
We walked down few blocks from our hotel . The staff welcomed us immediately and told us there was a short wait so we made our way to the bar. We both ordered drinks.. our bartender helped me choose as I just wanted something a little sweet but refreshing and he hit nail on the head! We were seated shortly after getting drinks . We ordered wagu sliders as an app and wow they had great flavor! The waitress was so nice and checked to make sure we were happy . I ordered seared tuna salad.. it was very tasty. I highly recommend this place.. foods amazing and staff top notch.. it can be a little loud as it's a busy place but worth it. read more
1 year ago
The meatballs sliders were amazing! Stopped in for dinner before a show at the Kennedy center and this place was great. Drinks were on point, and did I mentioned the meatball sliders? you gotta try them. Seasonal salad was pretty good, grilled chicken was super fresh, just could have used a bit more dressing and goat cheese. Service on the patio was great, but it was a bit noisy out there during happy hour. read more
Went back for lunch today. Again, the meal was very good and the service excellent. Today, we tried the Vegi-Quinoa Salad and the soup of the day (Chicken Tortilla). The soup ($8) was not a huge portion, but was so filling we each took half of our delicious entrees home for dinner. As was true the last time, the service was very good, especially keeping our water glasses full. Place has a nice vibe. Classy yet comfortable. read more
Incredible spot for dinner in Foggy Bottom. The drinks were tasty and the food was impressive! Everything seemed fresh and the combinations of flavors were wonderful! I cannot recommend enough the chicken pillard! The mushrooms were incredible! read more
Stopped here since it's across from Metro Station. Sat in the bar area with NBA playoff game on multiple screens. We order two salads and we're not disappointed. The blackened chicken was excellent. Service was very good. read more
1 month ago
8 months ago
First time here, late after seeing a show. The service was amazing and the food was very flavorful, hot and fresh. The bar area was modern and it has an old school vibe. read more
One of my top dc spots! I always make sure I get here when I come back to town. Indoor and outdoor seating available. Black Manhattan- good. Very strong. Lots of vermouth Maple old fashioned- very strong. Slight sweet tang The main reason I come here is for the Brussels sprouts. They are my absolute all time favorite. The combo of the blue cheese, bacon pieces, and tang of the balsamic drizzle is absolutely amazing. I'm drooling just writing this review. Cesar salad- classic but very garlicky. Marg pizza- so good and crispy but soft. The sauce bad a slight tang and spicy kick read more
8 months ago
8 months ago
Robby, the bartender, was incredible. Personable, knowledgeable, and patient enough to answer my DC tourist questions. Brussel sprouts and my martini were excellent. Will be back next trip. read more
2 years ago
I came here for happy hour with a few people on a Friday and it was pretty busy. Since we were a large group the host and manager were very kind to open the outdoor bar to accommodate us. They had a $9 featured cocktail that I ordered and it tasted amazing. There wasn't a name for it but it had gin, aperol, and some fruity ingredients. Since it's Lent season they had a Lent specific menu with a few seafood options, so I ordered from that menu and got a fish sandwich with old bay fries. Both also tasted great. It's been a few years since I've been to Circa, so I'm glad the service, food, and drinks are still top notch! read more
5 months ago
1 year ago
Very nice restaurant, in a nice area of DC. Ambiance was nice, has an outdoor eating option and the waitress was very attentive! I had the short rib dinner w/ mashed potatoes, spinach and onions rings. Chefs Kiss!!!!! Will definitely be back to try more...what are you waiting for, just gooooooo!!!! read more
My boyfriend and I came in here after viewing Clue at the Kennedy Center. Unfortunately, KC was not serving food in their cafe or restaurant due to a gala, so we had to find something in the area within walking distance. Circa is about a 10 minute walk from the KC. When we arrived, it was a little after 9, and there weren't too many people seated on the inside, but many on the outside. We were seated right away and handed menus. I will say the tables are a bit small and can't fit too much on them. The restaurant did pick up within the hour we were there, and by the time we left, almost all the tables were full. We quickly put in our orders because we had previewed the menu before we got there. My boyfriend got the sweet apricot wings, and I got the blackened mango chicken salad with a side of sweet potato fries. I loved my salad and the vinaigrette dressing. There were a few different fruits in my salad, like raisins, grapes, and mango. I'd never think to add these fruits to a salad, but I definitely will moving forward because it offers a sweet contrast to the tanginess of the dressing. Also, the chicken was nicely charred and seasoned. The fries were also very crispy and a pretty large portion , so that I had enough to take home. My boyfriend loved his wings. I didn't sample some this time since I already had chicken on my plate. He opted to have his wings grilled, although they typically have a fry finish. The reason I took off a star was the fact I had a cocktail--can't remember the name, but it had rum, grapefruit, Aperol, and a couple other ingredients. I thought it was just ok, but it was mostly just ice and I could have honestly done without it. They also have a 4.5% service charge for their meals, in addition to what you would choose to tip, and this is the first time I've seen this in a restaurant (outside of UberEats service charge). I mean the servers were very nice, but the additional fees restaurants are trying to get away with is becoming crazy. read more
6 months ago
6 months ago
So easy to get to on Metro! We got off at Foggy Bottom GWU and it's just across the street. The Happy Hour was fabulous! $9 cocktail of the day and $5 beer. $2 off small dishes. We sat at the main bar for happy hour menu. There were no seats at the patio bar. The place was jumping. So many people - such great vibe! Will be back read more
1 year ago
The food and service was great for a random Tuesday afternoon. The tuna poke nachos are super tasty. The salmon (cooked medium) was perfect. The mango salad was delicious. read more
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More info about CIRCA at Foggy Bottom
2221 I St NW
Washington, DC 20037
Foggy Bottom
Directions
(202) 506-5589
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http://www.circabistros.com
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Ask the Community - CIRCA at Foggy Bottom
Does the patio have heaters?
Yes! Our patio does have heaters and we have retractable side panels that enclose the patio on especially chilly days.
Where is best place to park?
Taking the metro is easier. Once you get off the metro, from the exit, the restaurant is right there
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44 reviews that are not currently recommended
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