Looks weird, tastes incredible, sounds great
July 11th, 2008 by Cliff Bostock in Restaurants 
“What is it?”
That’s the question we heard from people on both sides of us at the bar at Cafe Circa (464 Edgewood Ave.) last night when our starter (above) arrived.
“It’s chocolate chicken wings,” we explained. They’re not photogenic or very pretty in real life, either, but they are damn good. We’re talking hot, spicy Buffalo-style wings that are literally rolled in dark chocolate syrup.
Our visit to Cafe Circa was not planned. We’d actually set out to dine at Dynamic Dish down the street, but found it packed. Since we’d parked virtually in front of Cafe Circa, we headed there instead…and found it packed, too, with a 20-minute wait. We decided to eat at the bar instead of waiting for a table.
I’m not sure if the restaurant is as crowded every night. Thursdays, they do feature live music and we were very lucky to catch singer Chantae Cann. (Click here to listen to her.) Circa also hosts jazz Monday nights, beginning at 8 p.m. Check out their schedule here.
The restaurant has added some new dishes since our last visit in February. Wayne had two very good crab cakes over coconut rice with salad. I had “Gumbo Cubano,” which included andouille sausage, crabmeat, chicken and shrimp stewed with a “Cuban-Cajun roux.” It was also served over the coconut rice, whose sweetness was a bit of a startling contrast to the spicy gumbo.
Other new items include pan-seared sea bass with a Masaman curry glaze, mango-bourbon-glazed pork chops and seared lamb chops.
The restaurant opens daily for lunch at 11 a.m. Lunch items include a shrimp po’ boy, several paninis and a black bean burger, along with salads, including one made with crab cakes and pineapple salsa. (Wi-Fi is free.)
Service at Circa is terrific. The bartender insisted Wayne drink Jack Daniels on the rocks and when my gumbo first arrived from the kitchen, he sent it back, explaining that they hadn’t put enough in the bowl.
If you haven’t tried this place, go soon. There are very few places in our city to eat well and hear great jazz. Dinner is served nightly. Call 404-477-0008 for reservations.
(Photos by Cliff Bostock)
July 11th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
We went here Saturday night and not only was half our food over cooked (there were 10 of us) but the service was not good (and it was early thus the place was only half full). I did try to talk everyone into the chicken wings per your suggestion from your last write up, but noone would believe me. Oh well- maybe we’ll try a week night to see if that ’s what makes the difference.
July 11th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Not that I don’t love whiskey, but why is insisting that Wayne drink Jack Daniels on the rocks indicative of terrific service?
July 13th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
I’ve got to try these!
July 14th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Broderick, mail to you is bouncing again.
Brett: Chalk it up to bad writing. Wayne couldn’t make up his mind what to drink and the bartender basically interviewed him and wrote a prescription.