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Circus - NYC Reviews List
Circus - NYC
Circus Restaurant has been serving fine Brazilian cuisine for over 17 years. While the menu stays true to their family's recipes, there is a sophistication to each dish.
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85 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4
/
5
Rating Breakdown 85 reviews
5 stars
(26)
4 stars
(41)
3 stars
(15)
2 stars
(2)
1 star
(1)
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(46)
- fit for foodies(35)
- romantic(26)
- special occasion(17)
- great for lunch(16)
- good for groups(8)
Circus - NYC Reviews List
Review 1 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I have been there for lunch and dinner a number of times and find it consistently good ... good service ... and very pleasant ambiance. I have brought friends there who agree."
Dined on 5/13/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 2 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Third time at Circus and loved it again! I ordered the salmon again with brussels sprouts covered in a shrimp sauce. My companion had a steak dish with red roasted potatoes with sautéed spinach and was also impressed. Entrée prices were in the low twenties. When we go back, I will order the same dish! Truly great."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: romantic, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 3 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great place
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Great Brasilian food, very tasty and good. We enjoyed specially the desert !!"
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, great for lunch
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Review 4 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Brazilian delight
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Wonderful venue; comfortable and unpretentious setting. Service was first attentive without being intrusive; the portions of the food were as generous as well delicious in flavor and elegant in presentation. A real find worth revising."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, neighborhood gem
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Review 5 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Waitress kept calling the
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Waitress kept calling the three women in the party "girls"; thank you "girls"
chicken dish was dry and tough
everything was ordinary -- and too pricey
noise level rose at 7:30
tables are very close together"
Dined on 04/27/2013
2008
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Review 6 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The food was delicious as
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food was delicious as I got the salmon dish...blew me away
Very nice service as well"
Very nice service as well"
Dined on 04/24/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic
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Review 7 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Otimo! Super friendly truly
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Otimo! Super friendly truly Brasilian restaurante."
Dined on 04/24/2013
2005
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 8 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Sat outside to take advantage
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Sat outside to take advantage of early Spring weather. Only two tables. A bit noisy as you are close to Lexington Ave but quite enough to talk without competing with traffic. But service was good and seating comfortable."
Dined on 04/17/2013
2010
Special Features: special occasion
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Review 9 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Looking for a reasonably priced
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Looking for a reasonably priced restaurant before going to the theater @ 59 East 59th is NOT easy. Found this place on MenuPages and they had a link to OpenTable which made the restaurant search so much easier!
The food and prices were quite good. The service was a bit slow.
I would definitely go back."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2003
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 10 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
A last-minute substitution,
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"A last-minute substitution, and it worked out well. Food was great, price reasonable."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 11 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We enjoyed our meal. The food
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We enjoyed our meal. The food was excellent, except that the skirt steak with my churrosco was cold. Service was also good, but the waiter didn't check to see if we needed more wine. But overall, a very nice dinner."
Dined on 04/02/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 12 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
So enjoyable!!!!! Can't wait
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"So enjoyable!!!!! Can't wait to go back. Clean healthy cooking. Out of the ordinary."
Dined on 03/30/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 13 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We only came once as a group
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We only came once as a group for lunch. We were very pleased by the service and the food. We very much appreciated the fact that the noise level was very low. We will return."
Dined on 03/25/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 14 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
My dinner was good but not
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"My dinner was good but not great, but my companion raved about the steak. The deserts were very good. The wine list was reasonably priced and had a nice selection. The red wine was served a bit warmer than room temperature but it was very nice. I would give this restaurant another try with a different entree."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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Review 15 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Very interesting and different
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Very interesting and different menu Food is very tasty. We come regularly."
Dined on 03/20/2013
2010
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 16 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 17 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We had not been there in years
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We had not been there in years and in fact it was our first time at the new location. We had a wonderful table back in the corner and was impressed with the decor and ambiance of the restaurant. The service was somewhat slow but the taste and quality of the food made up for the service and their running out of a Malbec Reserve that was on the wine list. There was nothing comparable left on the wine list. We will be back, however, and hope the wine list matches the quality of the food."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2007
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 18 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Special Brazilian fare. Warm,
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Special Brazilian fare. Warm, friendly, atmosphere with theme of circus paintings adorning the walls. This really is one of our favorite places in the manhattan, for a cosy, absolutely delicious dinner that is truly Brazilian, including the staff! (Not the Brazilian all-you-can-eat BBQ) Fine."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 19 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Good Value for the Dollar
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Good value for the dollar. The food was very good, the service was okay, but a bit nonchalant."
Dined on 03/06/2013
2013
Special Features: great for lunch
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Review 20 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
you couldnt have asked for
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"you couldnt have asked for a better nite. the waiter was friendly and explained the menu excellanty. brazilian gourmet"
Dined on 03/02/2013
2008
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 21 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Very happy and will go back!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Who would have thought that brussels sprouts could serve as a great complimentary side for salmon topped with a very light layer of potatoes? And the sauce over this delicate fish dish was fantastic. We intended to bring home our left-overs...but the food was so great, we ended up eating our entire entrees! We also ordered a slice of chocolate cake and finished that too! This was our second time there and will no doubt, return. Great ambience with art works framed against soft white walls. If you are looking for a great place to eat on the east side, this is it!"
Dined on 02/16/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 22 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Love going to Circus when
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Love going to Circus when in town. Best rice and beans ever, get them with every dish every time I go. Seafood specials were fantastic, but both meat entrees were grisly and chewy. Always go back, but a bit inconsistent ."
Dined on 02/12/2013
2008
Special Features: neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 23 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Very good food
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"we went with my wife during restaurant week, we tried different entres, appertizers and desserts, both of us found the food excellent and the service of quality, we had a very good quiet place but it could be noisy and cold next to the bar"
Dined on 02/01/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic
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Review 24 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
I had a fantastic time. The
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I had a fantastic time. The waitstaff is great and so is the food."
Dined on 02/01/2013
2010
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Review 25 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Always a got to when we are
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Always a got to when we are in the city. The good is always good and the service excellent at this pretty location."
Dined on 01/31/2013
2010
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 26 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Came for a Restaurant Week
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Came for a Restaurant Week dinner - the roast chicken is amazing, as was the fish. I have never had my glass of water refilled so often, which was nice."
Dined on 01/22/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 27 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
LOVE this place!! We had been
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"LOVE this place!! We had been wanting to try it for awhile and just did this past weekend and it was perfect from start to finish! The manager was so attentive and nice, our waiter was great...helping us with our questions, and the service was perfect (didnt feel rushed and it was slow!) The food was DELICIOUS!! We will back as much as we can!!"
Dined on 01/26/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 28 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Enjoyed the restaurant week
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Enjoyed the restaurant week menu. Attentive service. Pleasant decor. Tasty and well prepared food. My husband and I wanted a place where we could have a quiet dinner with an old friend to catch up. So we appreciated the quieter ambiance. The host was very solicitous and made a point to give us a round table so we could have good chat."
Dined on 01/24/2013
2010
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Review 29 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Give your review a title (optional)
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The ladies and I went for restaurant week dinner. The appetizers were delicious. Two of had the skirt steak with yucca, whichh was incredibly tasty. The third had the roasted chicken which came with... a pile of dry breadcrumbs? It was a little odd. Definitely the low point of the dish. Also, we weren't given steak knives with the skirt steak which made eating a little more challenging.
The desserts redeemed everything in my book. Caramel, coconut flan was fabulous. Also, pretty tasty on the drinks too. If I came back here it'd be for drinks at their bar in the front and perhaps more flan :)"
Dined on 01/25/2013
2010
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Review 30 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
The food was good; the waiter
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food was good; the waiter didn't know exactly how to explain the dishes when we asked questions. The service was super slow, thank God the food was good. If you want a place to spend a lot of time, I would recommend it, but if you just want to go to lunch and not take for ever, definitely this is not the place to go for lunch. Whenever we asked for something "it is coming" was the answer we got, but it wasn't coming fast enough......and it wasn't that they were super busy either........."
Dined on 01/17/2013
2010
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Review 31 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
I really enjoyed the food,
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I really enjoyed the food, ambiance and service of Circus. The food Was perfectly portioned and it is the perfect place to have a small get together that is quiet and intimate. I say small get together because the venue is small. The service is exceptional, overall i would definitely suggest this restaurant to friends, family and associates."
Dined on 01/16/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic
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Review 32 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
NYC Restaurant Week 2013
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Traditional brazilian food. Great menu. Service was amazing and the food was extremely tasty. Great aroma. Would visit again. A bit pricey, but it's worth it. Huge portions. Desert was fantastic!"
Dined on 01/19/2013
2012
Special Features: romantic, special occasion
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Review 33 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Starter course was excellent
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Starter course was excellent but it was downhill from there. Wait staff could use more training in customer service. Host was friendly and accommodating."
Dined on 01/18/2013
2011
Special Features: romantic
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Review 34 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Food very average. Service
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Food very average. Service was ok."
Dined on 01/18/2013
2011
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Review 35 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Nice people. Authentic Brazilian.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Nice people. Authentic Brazilian. Just great."
Dined on 01/18/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 36 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Nice Restaurant Week experience.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Nice Restaurant Week experience. Food was well-prepared,tasty, although portions were small. Service was good from the moment we stepped into the restaurant till the moment we left. I would go back."
Dined on 01/17/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 37 for Circus - NYC
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Nice restaurant to take your
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Nice restaurant to take your date to. It's small and the service is great. You can actually talk to your date! Very nice decor and the food is great! We went on restaurant week but will go again for a special occasion."
Dined on 01/17/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Circus - NYC
Based on the average of (48) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
4
/
5
4 out of 4 recommend this product
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate