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[[HIGHLIGHT]]The atmosphere is very elegant.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The staff is welcoming and considerate. The food was delicious! I would recommend as a nice date night! The menu is constantly changing and I could not find the exact title of the meals - would recommend both pictured. Follow @disheswdanielle on Insta
We went for my husband's birthday and it was a great date night. We had the homemade focaccia bread and a potato that were both complimentary. We were shown the menu and given the specials but decided to order from the menu the way the chef intended with something from each section. We got apps, pasta, and an entree. Plenty of food and simply delicious. See photo captions for what we ordered. The server, hostess, and chef were all very gracious and they gave my husband a dish of sorbet for his birthday. The seasonal flavor was mandarin orange. Yum! Make reservations and try it out if you haven't already. The menu changes so I've added the one for tonight. For those of you wondering about location, it's by the hospital in Newton on route 94, not even a mile from there.
This is a high end restaurant in a casual setting. Ambience needs work - acoustics are very loud & the interior lacks creative design. The oysters & salmon crudo apps were excellent - we loved them. The focaccia bread with homemade butter were great. Drinks are VERY pricey - $24 for a Buffalo Trace over a big rock & $22 for a Tito's martini! We both ordered the steak special - NY strip w/miso butter & brussel sprouts & beef fat fries. Those fries - yum! Loved the brussel sprouts. Steak was good but the miso butter ruined it as it was soooo salty. We both scraped off as much butter as we could. Steak was decent but for $75, it was quite pricey for what you got. Banana tart was very good. This place charges a 3% CC fee. Note - they have a price fix $50 dinner on Wednesdays & an oyster & martini special on Thursdays.
An establishment shooting for elegance and largely succeeding. While there are definitely nits you could pick, overall you'll find food that achieves elevation while not picking your pocket (too much) for what you get. We had a work dinner here and were treated to fresh focaccia, a selection of local NJ wines, restaurant dishes and an earnest, trained wait staff. The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon was a surprisingly good table wine, especially for one from NJ, despite its youth. I resisted the upsell to 3 courses or the $100 per person tasting menu (for which the waitress specifically recommended that the entire four-person table needed to go in on) and selected both the octopus tempura as an app and the scallops as an entree. Everything was textbook. I particularly appreciated the punchy pecorino foam on my scallops, and their soft texture. The tempura octopus was probably better, with its delectable and savory sauce. Not a single plate went unfinished. Pricing is obviously high here, but that's table stakes for food that attempts refinement like that you'll find at The Circle.
Quaint Sussex county setting in a farmhouse from the 1700's. Had character but lacked true ambience and the acoustics need to be addressed. The historic wood floors make the bustling waiters sound like elephants trampling through the room, and there are quite many of them and they are a bustlin'. Overall, service could only be graded as 'ok,' because it was highly inconsistent. Very attentive at start, and then constantly looking for someone to clear plates when finished. *NOTE--was really put off by the fact that our server neglected to tell us that since one bottle of sparkling water only 'just' filled our 3 glasses (which we did not mind), they go ahead and pop a second bottle, WITHOUT ASKING, to sit on the table when ready for more. I don't like waitstaff spending my money for me, especially when the prices are already quite dear. The food was spectacularly presented, and very well-portioned (in fact, I was surprised at how large most actually were--I think the price to size ratio is more than generous). The homemade focaccia was delicious and we were even gifted an amuse bouche, which was tasty. And the sweet pea soup was a star item. However, there were some strange and off-putting combinations, or disappointing items: soft shell crab and peanut foam, for one. It was like eating a seafood Dairy Queen blizzard as the foam was overly sweet). The 'risotto.' as another, was barely such. There was a delicious sauce at the bottom of the bowl but maybe 30 grains of arborio rice to be found. It was tasty, but honestly much more like a creamy soup. To put that item under the Pasta menu seems almost like a Ralph Fiennes move in 'The Menu.' The foie gras was overly greasy (I have eaten some of the best in Paris so feel I have some relevant experience here), and overall the food was a bit too heavily seasoned (AKA salty). All in all, considering the bill for 3 totaled nearly $400 with tip (included one cocktail--a dirty martini that was shockingly served without olives at first, and then after flagging the maitre d', was served the cursed TWO olives which is a well-known superstitious no-no, and no dessert), I would say this fine dining experience has some serious REfining to do. Not sure we'll be back.
if I could give this place 10 stars, I would. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant has such a cute vibe and a beautiful view of cornfields and the sunset.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The staff was all amazing and so kind, and the service was quick and fantastic now the food... I literally thought I was at a Michelin star restaurant. some of the flavors reminded me of Michelin star restaurant I went to in Dubai last year. My husband and I came here for our one year wedding anniversary and it did not disappoint. We did the hundred dollar per person tasting menu and not only was it 100% worth the money, but we just could not get over the flavors of everything. I had an Amalfi crush cocktail, which was unlike any cocktail I've ever tasted before. I would recommend this place over and over and over and I cannot wait for the next time that we will be back.
Wow, just WOW!!! I have found a culinary gem here in Sussex county. What a great place from the ambiance, to the servers and hosts to the food...five stars across the board. The restaurant is in what appears to be an old house. They did a great job updating the walls and lights and left the cool old wide wood floors. The hosts were welcoming and our server was great. She did a good job asking questions and provided great recommendations. The other servers who were assisting were also super friendly and did a great job managing the dishes and drinks at our table. The food...on man, the food. They recommended that you select an app, a pasta and an entree because that is how the chefs designed the portions and experience. I started with the Oysters. These were large and topped with an cool Lychee (think slushy), finger limes and a chili oil. The cold of the Lychee and the crunchiness of the finger limes with the hint of chili that accompanied the Oyster was fantastic. Easily the best Oysters I have had. Moving on to the pasta course, my wife got the Gnocchi and I got the Cavatelli. My wife was hesitant at first because she isn't a fan of butternut squash (or should I was wasn't a fan before this dish). The sweetness of the squash with the earthiness of the oyster mushrooms, crispy garlic and fried sage were a flavorful compliment to the pillowy gnocchi. The Cavatelli was fantastic I took a leak having never tried 'Nduja I wasn't sure wsh at to expect but it lent a nice slickness that was cooled by the ricotta and the sauce. The Short Rib, oh that Short Rib. That was packed with flavor and super tender. They just pulled apart magically. Everything about the dish was a winner. My wife went with the Fall Medely which was the veggie option. She loved the Brussels Sprouts and onions in it (just wished there were a few more of them in it). It sat on a great sauce that enhanced the flavor of each bite it was mixed with. Dessert also was a treat. She got the Lemon Trifle and I got the Banoffee Tart. The Trifle was lemontastic. The tart was also good. The banana custard was tasty and the skilled egg nog ice cream was a heck of an addition. FYI, it is BYOB but they now can have wine delivered for you too.
My review will focus on what others have not in the interest of being honest and helpful. The food is excellent. Many of our dishes were outstanding. Food gets 4+ stars agreeing with most reviewers. But, as much as I loved the food itself, there was a major issue. THE ENTRANCE: Upon entry, we were not greeted. No one there. Waited a bit, some employees walked by but did not address us, so we joined two of our party already seated on our own, thinking they were just busy. Our party sat for about 20 minutes. Nothing. I got up and found the host. Had to ask for an ice bucket and water. Off to a rough start. Place settings were not complete on the table, missing tableware, and glasses. I will say, the tableware, once received, is elegant and heavy, a marker of quality. A plus. THE AMBIENCE: When we think of accessibility, we tend to think of things like ramps and railings, but the problem for my family was something much more intrusive to our experience. In our room were two other tables. One boisterous family: totally normal, very nice folks, not doing anything inappropriate, but, nonetheless, quite "animated." The other table: a lovely young couple with two infants. Not newborn. More like 8 months-ish. Again, perfectly wonderful family. I love babies and I love to see parents getting their little ones accustomed to fine dining, but babies, even when they don't cry or do anything otherwise out of the realm of baby behavior, can be loud. Adorable, but loud. Perhaps this was a one-in-a-million combo, and it would not normally be a problem or even noticed, but unfortunately, this particular grouping of co-diners made what could have been elegant dining, feel like a sports bar. My 80-year-old father, with a hearing aid, could not hear a thing at our table. He sat there feeling alone and upset, unable to participate in our special gathering in honor of his grandson's birthday. In fact, none of us could hear very well, and we found ourselves yelling across the table to one another just to interact. It killed the vibe of what should have been the upscale dining experience we were expecting and made us all feel more like we were at Buffalo Wild Wings... with fancy food. The décor is chic. It's contemporary and minimalist, but it's also barren and there are only hard surfaces. There is a complete lack of attention to the acoustics, and this is a huge faux pas for a restaurant. I'm sure most parties will not have such a group that amplifies this glaring oversight, but for anyone with hearing impairment, this is a nightmare. It was unexpected for the price point to have such an unpleasant atmosphere, and although this may be an unusual experience, it should be noted for patrons looking for charm and refinement. This could happen to you. I hope it does not. Moreover, I hope the owners will invest in hospitality grade acoustic panels or other materials to enhance sound absorption. This important environmental element will benefit everyone, but especially guests with hearing difficulties. *LEFTOVERS: In the spirit of ending on a high note, some have said the portions are small. Portion size is sufficient. I had leftover duck, which I reheated in the mwv for 30 sec. and it was delish.
Hour drive to the restaurant 'The Circle' paid off with fabulous tasting menu! So much worth every dollar! The chef was amazing, came over to our table to ask our opinions on the entrées. And we praised him truly as everything was absolutely delicious! It comes with 6 courses: Oysters: with lychee purée and dash of lime (you get only two) we ordered a full appetizer size of oysters as well! Must try out of the world amazing and deploy refreshing taste! Mushroom soup: very creamy and haven't tasted the blended deliciousness of varieties of mushrooms. Gnocchi: butternut squash crispy gnocchi. I wasn't a big fan of but nice presentation and butternut squash sauce was good. Bass: Pan grilled to perfection! A must try was the Harissa sauce. lobsters: one word- amazing delicate taste. Desserts: you will love them!
Review Insights
4 years ago
Been to the circle a few times and it never failed! Hands down the best restaurant in Sussex county! Every dish we had tasted amazing and plated with style . They use a lot of local farm ingredients and the menu switches up as well! Definitely a go to for your next date night out! They are also a byob! read more
4 years ago
Very delicious & elegant restaurant, with options of a prix fixed menu of two or three courses. We had two courses and walked out feeling full! Desserts are extraordinary! Service was excellent as well. BYOB or buy a bottle there. I recommend reservations. Parking is plentiful and there is outdoor seating. read more
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Amazing!!! The food was sooooo good! We came and we're so happy!!!! I had the scallops! Yum! read more
5 years ago
5 years ago
This place is legit. The chefs are clearly trained pros and the location is beautiful and the staff is professional as well. The popularity is growing day by day and they are clearly training new staff but they're all performing admirably. The food is way too good for this area and we are lucky to have them. Reservations are highly suggested - we were there on a Thursday and it was slammed. Food kept pumping out of the kitchen though. Highly recommended. read more
3 years ago
5 years ago
Friends and I were lucky enough to experience dinner here last night, and it was indeed an experience! Most of us were all in, meaning we ordered an appetizer, pasta and entree, as they portion based on all three courses being ordered. I'm SO glad to have done that. Everything that I ordered was spot on, delicious and intriguing. The others agreed. Their menu changes frequently based on what's fresh and seasonal, so you may or may not get the pleasure of trying what we had, but I don't think you could go wrong with anything they offer. My appetizer was the pork belly banh mi, an absolute delight. Three big chunks of pork belly, along with the crispiest skin imaginable, sat alongside very thinly sliced carrot, cucumber and watermelon radish, dotted with ponzu sauce and a house made aoli. Butter lettuce leaves were the accompaniment in which you would place and wrap everything. So good! My pasta was homemade pappardelle with duck confit, served very al dente. Continuing the duck theme was my roasted duck breast...four large triangles of extremely tender, perfectly medium-rare duck with a nicely crisped skin that was not the slightest bit fatty. A delectable farro risotto with what I think was a dollop of cardamom yogurt on the side had a magically toothsome feel to it from the firm bite of the farro. A pomegranate glaze was drizzled around the plate, providing a delicious dipping sauce. We all shared samples of our plates with each other. The scallops were perfectly seared and sweet, the gnocchi with wilted ramp was soft and pillowy, the lightest gnocchi I've ever had the pleasure of trying. Amazingly we found enough room for dessert and shared all three of the offerings...mango lassi panna cotta, a light and refreshing ending, the seasonal berry tart with a fabulous crispy crust and the flourless chocolate cake, a wonderfully dense yet somehow not overly heavy option, paired with espresso ice cream. We were all very pleased with the meal. Adding to it was the low-key ambience of the newly renovated interior, which still maintained the charm of the historic former home, and the efficient, knowledgeable and very pleasant wait staff. We chatted with chefs Tyler and Brendan toward the end of the meal and it's clear they're very accomplished and rightfully proud of their latest venture. I wish them all the best of luck! read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
We were so excited to finally come here but left disappointed. My husband complained everything he had was salty and small portions. We don't mind paying for good food but we felt we were price gouged. We both had the ravioli which were so tiny and ended up being $5 per ravioli. My halibut was poached and just lacked flavor and presence. My husband got the lamb chops, and although they looked pretty, it came out to about $21 per chop (2 .portion size). And lastly, we brought our own bottle of wine but ordered a bottle of sparkling water. After we drank the bottle, the server automatically brought us another without asking. We drank it but regretted it once the bill came and we saw it was $12 for each bottle! So we spent $24 on water. We go to many fine restaurants but this was a "1 and done" for us read more
4 years ago
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Totally worth the hour drive. My husband and I dined here for our anniversary and we were not disappointed. We liked everything from the atmosphere, the food and the service especially Justin. Bonus it's a BYOB. We had the tasting menu plus a regular appetizer. All dishes looked, smelled, tasted delicious and we left with full bellies. We will be back. Sorry I missed a few dishes I was too busy enjoying the food. :) read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
This is my favorite place to eat ever. The food is out of this world. You can't go wrong with any selection you make. It is pricey but well worth it. read more
4 years ago
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5 years ago
We enjoyed an outstanding 6 course tasting menu at NJ Monthly Top 30 restaurant, The Circle. It was our first, and certainly not last time, at this charming little restaurant. I highly recommend this restaurant. The service and food was impeccable. It was worth the 1 hour trip through dark long and winding country roads. Everything was bursting with flavor. They used freshly foraged mushrooms in their incredible mushroom bisque. I like the fact that the chef does not use conventional preparations with his dishes. For example, most chefs would prepare their duck dishes with a sweet compote or jam. This chef prepared his perfectly cooked duck in a savory spiced broth that contained cardamom and cinnamon. The perfectly cooked scallops included carrots prepared several ways (smoked, pickled, pesto, etc.). They were very nice to swap out raw oysters (which we do not like) with a delicious beet salad. We also enjoyed a flourless chocolate cake with raspberry jam and espresso ice cream for dessert. read more
3 years ago
5 years ago
Great food and excellent service! Can't wait to get back to this place. We had oysters and one of the pasta dishes to start and then the short rib and oysters for our entrees and finished with the flourless chocolate cake and espresso ice cream. Start to finish it was excellent with great service. It is BYO so bring your favorite bottle of wine and enjoy their great food! read more
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A very talented chef and the team put out excellent dishes in this fairly new place. It was clear they worked hard to make this a foodie place and a few edits could be made - the butter did not need chunky salt or pepper for that matter, it was great as is and the blueberry tart did not benefit from the green tea ice cream - but other dishes were very successful (the short rib was remarkable and the scallops were excellent). We will be definitely back soon. read more
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The Circle - newamerican - Updated July 2026
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