 This cheerful Italian bistro has a circus-like décor, like its acclaimed big sister in New York, and a varied menu of Tuscan specialties from thin-crusted pizzas to braised veal shank with creamy Parmesan potato purée. Like Le Cirque next door, Circo sits lakeside, but its setting is a bit more casual. If you fall in love with the overall menu---as many have---you can thank in part Egidiana Egi Maccioni, wife of Le Cirque founder Sirio and mother of Marco, Mario and Mauro. Many dishes are her classics that the boys loved while growing up. Go for her ravioli stuffed with ricotta, spinach and sage. The Tuscan stew of octopus, calamari, clams, mussels, shrimp and monkfish with a garlic crostini is a winner, as is the pecorino- and thyme-crusted rack of lamb with crushed potatoes. Or, how about the roasted filet mignon with porcini baked potatoes and brunello sauce? Traditional pizzas from the clay oven include La Bianca topped with Brie cheese, arugula and shaved Parmigiano. The chocolate-caramel bombe with hazelnut nougatine and praline ice cream and the tiramisu with caramel coffee sauce are worth the splurge.
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