Circles Bistro Menu

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Visit below restaurant in Tampa for healthy meals suggestion.

Visit below restaurant in Tampa for healthy meals suggestion.

  • Rachel R.

    I went for lunch with my parents and an infant in a car seat. The owners were very accommodating in setting up the table with two chairs for me to put the car seat on and quickly getting the check when I sensed the infant was about to wake up. Let me start with the drinks. A solid wine list and Germany beer on tap. Not just any German beer but Dunkel Weiss and Hefe on tap. Immediately I knew I was going to like this place. If you never had Dunkel Weiss you are missing out. The food was fantastic. They provide bread for the table which is almost like a biscuit. It was warm and fresh. One of the dishes we order was nut encrusted cod with rice and veggies. The fish was cooked to perfection, the crust was tasty and the veggies were seasoned with a great pepper sauce. Their menu has a slight Thai influence. I cannot wait to come back and sample more of their menu... and get a German beer!

    (5)
  • Larry C.

    Looking at the restaurant from the outside & without knowing what we were stepping into, I was a little confused as to what type of cuisine this restaurant served as the name or the outside decor didn't really have any indications of the type of cuisine inside. Guess the only way ever find out is to be adventurous and go in right ? When we walked inside i was surprised to see wine cases lined up on the walls right by the entrance. Perhaps they just got their new shipments in? When you saw the wine cave from our seats, i could tell they had a nice selection at hand but we opted for a drink at their bar instead. I ordered a sazarac which was very good & strong ... just the way i like my drinks! For appetizers we ordered the circles dim sum & lobster bisque. I loved the lobster bisque as it was very creamy and tasty. The dim sum (pork, crab meat, and fresh herbs, steamed in wonton wraps, with browned garlic drizzles and chili soy dip) was also very flavorful and me and the misses finished each one in one bite. I only wish more was served as our portion only had about 4 pieces = $6.50 For our main course i ordered the Crispy Duck breast w/ Black cherry brandy sauce. The duck was very crispy which i liked alot and had just the right combination of sauces to balance out the taste. I finished my meal along with the rice. The misses ordered the Shrimp Paht Thai which was just ok as the noodles were a bit on the dry side. On the bright side they did include alot of shrimp! We ended up taking this home to go and ended up splitting it for lunch the next day. All in all circles was a nice place to try if you are looking for a menu selection that can cater to a large audience, as they have pasta & asian dishes on the menu.

    (3)
  • Linda B.

    Innovative menu, consistent quality, friendly and competent staff. The pear, arugula steak salad and small plate choices are super for those times when you're eating light. And yes, the lobster bisque is not to be missed!

    (5)
  • Alan A.

    Had dinner at Circles for the first time a couple of weeks ago. We stopped by without reservations early on a Saturday evening (we tried to call but their phone was out) and were seated right away. What a pleasant surprise! The servers were attentive and friendly, the owner helped us pick out a nice wine, and the food was really excellent. The lobster bisque was creamy but not heavy, with just the right amount of kick. The filet in wine sauce was excellent, and the lamb chops (a special that night) was even better. To top off the meal, we had a crème brûlée that was as good as any we've ever tasted. The restaurant doesn't do a very good job of getting its name and reputation out (they need a website), but based on our first experience, it is really a gem. We will return.

    (5)
  • jeannette j.

    Celebrating a birthday I recommended Circles as I had been a fan from years ago when it was located in the plaza just a short distance from its present location. Started with the Duck Confit and Egg Rolls. Crispy Duck, Veal Oscar, and Seafood Tortellini were our entree choices. Portions were large, came out hot and delicious. Service attentive and friendly with the pace expected with the fare served. Perfect place for the diner who enjoys food that is classic with a creative touch. Looking forward to our return. Next time I will save room for desert!

    (5)
  • David J.

    Circles serves some of the best food in Tampa. How many places in Tampa can you get a filet mignon that you can literally cut without a knife ... just a fork? We've been going to Circles since the original location first opened a few miles south of the current location (at least 15 or so years ago). Sure, the prices are not the very extreme value they once were, but the prices back then were so low that I actually felt almost like I was stealing by paying so little for such good food. I can certainly understand that no non-corporate restaurant could stay afloat nowadays with the same extremely low $8-10 entree prices that Circles had in the 1990s. Circles serves unique recipes of fresh ingredients prepared by a skilled chef, not pre-packaged microwave food thrown on a plate by a fry cook, so I don't expect fast-food prices. The service we receive is always very friendly and attentive. In fact, it's especially nice to know that the owners care enough about their customers to spend most of their time in the dining room working along side the staff to ensure customers are happy. The atmosphere is nice, but not opulent. That is perfectly fine with us since we go to a restaurant for good food, not overly pretentious decor. This is Tampa after all, not someplace like New York where people go to dinner in suits and evenings gowns.

    (5)
  • Shenia J.

    When I went in, I was looking for a light meal and some dessert. So I ordered from their appetizer and small plates menu. It worked out perfectly. I was able to make a 3 course meal out of it without being ridiculously overfed. I ordered Lobster Bisque as an appetizer, braised short ribs with lobster mashed potatoes, and a chocolate walnut cake. Their Lobster bisque soup was a little watered down with very little lobster but it was still decent. The short ribs were a little salty but the mashed potatoes were just right. I almost wished I had a full sized order they were so delicious. The cake was not too sweet and just the right portion size. I always worry about that with desserts. My complaints are the lay out of the place because of all the boxes piled up near the entrance. It almost seemed as if you are entering the place from the backdoor. Also, the bakery seemed to be hidden off to the side, I didn't even know that they had their own bakery until the waiter pointed it out as I was getting ready to leave. Overall, the experience was good but not award winning.

    (3)
  • Chris W.

    I visited Circles right before their south Tampa location closed and loved it. We were upset that such a good find was closing but were excited to find they were just moving to this new location. The menu choices are somewhat of a head scratcher at first (Asian dishes along with Italian dishes?), but it totally works. My favorite is the chicken scampi. Delicious! The bread they give you before each meal is fantastic. Great desserts such as creme brûlée and key lime pie also. The only thing that frustrates me about this place is that you cannot get lunch on the weekend.

    (4)
  • Lois S.

    Everytime I go I am more impressed,,,,just delicious freshly prepared food at its finest...Today I ordered the Rice Flour Dredged Calamari with Jalapeno Topping---fabulous....then I ordered 2 Asian entrees (to take home leftovers)--Hunan Chicken and Beef and Broccoli....both well done...my husband's veal with gorgonzola was so tender and flavorful and of course the Lobster bisque is crucial if this is your first visit...love this place.

    (5)
  • Cathy B.

    Tried once again and unfortunately it was just as disappointing as the other tries. It is always discouraging when a local mom-n-pop bistro cannot seem to help themselves a little more. The décor has improved since our last visit and at least the front hallway held slightly endearing stacked wine cases instead of chairs - a bit tight to navigate to the door or restrooms though. Our waiter was truly trying hard but did not meet expectations at all. As a foursome of ladies meeting for lunch we noticed a larger group of the red/purple hat club, a few business lunches and a couple of single professional types dining at the bar. The croquet monsieur was rich and very tasty but quite too salty between the ham, bechemel and cheese. The menu said it was to come with a side of fries which never came- the waiter delivered a side salad to me instead and I asked why there weren't fries and he said it didn't come with it. Not in the mood to argue or point out the menu, I ignored the salad. Strangely though 2 of the other ladies ordered salads and their came out well ahead of the lunch entrees- so something was very amiss. One of them was supposed to get a salad with her yummy salmon and the other was not supposed to do she was charged. The glass of wine I ordered had to be requested twice before it finally came with the meal. It is so disappointing that they cannot seem to get their act together, the place is so local and used to be here in the area years ago...... maybe someday the owners will catch on. I would recommend going elsewhere.... third time was Not a charm,

    (1)
  • Josiah G.

    I'm not sure which Circles restaurants are related to other ones, or if there is any relation at all. Seems like another Yummy House syndrome. This was ok, nothing special. It was pricey for what you get as my girlfriend's veal scalopini was about 2 ounces of meat. My french onion soup was really good, but that doesn't leave me craving anything from here.

    (3)
  • Bonita B.

    Although this location has low scores, I totally enjoyed it. The restaurant owner's wife is the chef. There is a connection between the Circles in Apollo Beach and this location in the Carrollwood area...the owners are brothers who parted ways but no bridges were burned. We ordered the calamari and it was pretty good; I appreciated receiving the rings versus the usual combo rings-tentacles like other restaurants.

    (4)
  • A L.

    Been following Mike & Judy around town for 20+ years. So glad they settled back close to their home in Carrollwood. This is a business that reflects the owners for better or worse. Yes, definately an unprofesional cluttered look at the door, but Judy is a great chef & master at various ethnic styles all done very well! The brunch as mentioned in other reviews is wonderful, the fresh fruit & strawberry butter are excellent. Don't be afraid to glance at both the dinner & lunch menu's no matter what meal you are there for. If Judy is not overwhelmed usually she is agreeable to make the dish off either menu. Naturally there are $ differences for portion size differences. The shrimp used in the shrimp dishes are very large. Never have had a bad meal there & rarely have had room to try out their homemade deserts. I go there for the chicken Czarina with eggplant. Czarina sauce on anything is exceptional! Service can sometimes suffer depending on staffing. Although, rarely closed except on stated days off, be reminded this IS a family business & they are the business so if other life issues arise they may have to be closed. Be safe & call ahead

    (5)
  • Jim G.

    We've been fans of Circles since it was located in South Tampa. Now it's ten miles north of our home, but still worth a 20-mile round trip for Judy's cuisine and Michael's gracious manner and mad bar skills. The menu is modern, eclectic, and uniformly excellent. The Thai chicken wings with flash-fried basil is spectacular, as so generous a portion as to make the entree optional - especially if you indulge one of Judy's fresh yeast rolls along with it. All of the dishes are made fresh to order an it shows. Wonderful wine selection - ask Michael for his recommendations, as not all of the inventory is on the list. Absolutely our go-to favorite.

    (5)
  • CupCake K.

    I would give this place a three rating BUT honestly the food is not that great and what really is so bad about this place was my experience. The waitress came out to my car as I was leaving and handed me back my tip and told me that I must need it more then her...that is so RUDE. I left her 15% and that wasn't good enough for her? Sorry but I'm not rich and she should feel lucky she got anything considering her service honestly SUCKED...Sad that management allowed something like that to take place. They def lost me and my whole family as customers....

    (1)
  • Tony Y.

    I had the pleasure of dining here twice recently. Both times, lunch and dinner were quite pleasant. Granted, the server during dinner was more efficient than lunch (waiter seemed indifferent and not wanting to serve if you know what I mean). The thing I love most here, is their pasta. I have not had such well done pasta in a LONG time. Here is how I would recommend to other Yelpers to get the best experience out of Circle. Order some appetizers (crab cake, calamari, quite good) and soup (lobster bisque), then add a few main entrees (veal, scallops). Get some serving spoons and share the variety among a small group. Be sure to go DEEP on a pasta dish or two to truly appreciate the pasta here. Regarding dessert, can't comment since I was too full to go further. It would be a shame if Carrollwood loses such a decent place. Not to take away from Michael's, but I think Circle is better tasting by a few notches. I also feel their ingredients are better since I did not feel bloated after a very big meal here.

    (5)
  • Jolene S.

    Came to this restraunt with co-workers and will never come again. The food was bland and taking a bath in mayo. What was worse is the server did not even ask why I did not eat my food. I was still charged for the full amount $12. A server should pay attention to their customers and ask if everything is okay with the food not ignore them.

    (1)
  • Britney B.

    Ridiculous. A friend and I came here for Sunday brunch because First Watch was packed. Both of us had sleeveless shirts on (I'm female and he's male). A man came up to us at the hostess stand and told my friend that they require sleeves. That's understandable, if it was posted or if its for dinner!! There was no one in the restaurant at the time- hope they can stay in business because we definitely won't be going back.

    (1)
  • Thomas H.

    We have been going to this nice little neighborhood restaurant for years. Really missed it when it was in south Tampa and we were delighted when it returned to Carrollwood. Michael, the owner, is there most nights and greets everyone as a friend. His wife is an excellent cook and we enjoy our usuals as well as experimenting, from to time, with other menu items and specials. Parking can be a challenge, but it has improved, thanks to changes within the shopping center.

    (5)
  • Val S.

    This was a pleasant surprise. We had heard the food was good here and it's true. Everything tastes fresh and the eclectic menu offers something for everybody. They could use a little help in the decor department, not much to look at, but the service and food make up for it.

    (3)
  • Ed V.

    One of the best filets I've ever had! My girlfriend had the seafood newberg and she was equally impressed. The service was great and we will be back soon.

    (5)
  • Jim S.

    Circles has changed with the times. NO longer the same great quality with a reasonable price point. After trying one more time thinking our last visit may have just been an off night, it was just more of the same lack luster food, higher pricing along with an over priced bottle of wine. My dinner was the Snapper which came on a plate of simple vegetables, some flavoring with a 4-6 ounce piece of hard over cooked Snapper. My wife ordered the Veal that had been ever so finely sliced and lost on the plate under sauce. The final nail came with a non extravagant bottle of wine found in any wine store taking our bill well into triple digits. Sadly, we will not be going back and just cannot justify the expense for the mediocre.

    (1)
  • Jennifer L.

    Love this place. Best brunch in Tampa and definitely worth the trip for lunch or dinner.

    (5)
  • Steve E.

    South Tampa's loss is certainly Carrollwood's gain, as this long-time popular bistro along Azeele Street moved up north to set down some roots at the intersection of N. Dale Mabry Highway and South Village Drive. Circles Bistro now sits in the Carrollwood Village Shops shopping center along with Chili's, World of Beer, Anthony's Coal-Fired Pizza, and Ocean Blue Sushi. Circles is on the very west end of this shopping plaza, facing South Village Drive. Some of you might remember that Circles was a well-known Carrollwood bistro with a disastrous parking problem, and that's why they pulled up stakes and moved to South Tampa. Now some 13 years later, the Prodigal Son has returned to Carrollwood in a shopping center with lots of available parking spaces. I was there for Sunday Brunch with my adorable girlfriend, and we were midway through a furniture assembly project of epic proportions when she suggested that we should find something to eat. A quick scan of my trusty Yelp app, and we found ourselves at Circles Bistro which was near to our neighborhood Lowe's. The outside of Circles Bistro disguises the serene atmosphere inside, and that has always been one of Circles hidden charms. This is a place where you can walk inside and say hi to Michael and Judy. Judy is the chef, while Michael works the front of the house and tends to the bar. There are only about 12 - 15 tables in the restaurant, and about 15 barstools surrounding the bar. The tables all face out to the enclosed courtyard. There is no Wi-Fi service inside the restaurant, and they recommend that their patrons converse with each other, or read through the Sunday paper. I started my meal with a spicy Bloody Mary, and Brittany ordered a mimosa. After perusing the various breakfast & brunch options I selected a seafood omelet made with sautéed shrimp, scallops, lump crabmeat, and lobster meat with sweet onions and melted Monterey Jack cheese. Britt ordered the goat cheese, spinach & tomatoes omelet. Both omelets came with a choice of home fried potatoes or a fresh fruit medley, and we both opted for the fruit. While Michael was mixing our drinks, Judy came out of the kitchen to deliver the homemade multi-grain bread with a strawberry compound butter. Oh yum!!!! The omelets arrived shortly thereafter, and they were delicious. In my case lots of very good seafood, covered with melted cheese inside of a fluffy omelet. The fresh fruit medley had a nice mix of apples, strawberries, blueberries, melon, and grapes. Very delicious meal for $12 a piece, plus the drinks. The brunch menu at Circles has lots of traditional egg dishes and some lighter entrées. Even though seating is limited you are encouraged to relax and enjoy your meal without being made to feel rushed. The traditional lunch and dinner menu lists a wider variety of casual multi-cultural dining options including Italian, Asian, Cajun, Indonesian, and classic Americana meals. Prices for these meals are closer to $20, and that includes soup or salad. Rumor has it that their lobster bisque is legendary, so I'll go back soon to give that a try. Circles has a full bar and a rather-large wine cellar, but precious little storage space for the cases of wine as they arrive. Expect to see the boxes lined up in the hallway as you walk back to their dining room. Bottom line -- a nice place for a quiet Sunday brunch where you can relax and enjoy your food and drink.

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Tue

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : No
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Quiet
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes

Circles Bistro

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