THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Circus

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Circus Restaurant Review:

Circus is a baby brother to the Avenue, which shares the same sense of minimalism. Here brown gets a viewing in the shape of beige chairs, but the overall colour scheme remains resolutely white. Service can be intimidating, in part to protect the members-only bar downstairs, but once seated in the dining room, all of this slides comfortably away. The menu treads a predictable modish path, but there are interesting twists, first-rate ingredients and a restraint which is refreshing. Starters might be good onion soup or even better ravioli stuffed with crab and served with roasted artichokes---never mind authenticity---this is delicious, as is a good duck terrine. Attention to detail marks the cooking and this continues into the main courses, as in crisply roasted cod on a salad of various beans, and a good chicken breast served with seasonal morels. Some desserts are given modern twists---a poached pear, the liquor including Asian spicing, the accompanying ice cream decidedly Thai in character---while others follow a more traditional path: chocolate torte with berries, for example. Service is attentive, if at times a little clumsy. The wine list shows serious intent. Set 2-course lunch £10.50, 3 courses £12.50; set à la carte 2-course lunch & dinner £17.50, 3 courses £19.50.