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Be sure to make reservations for two -- or 300.
After all, with its dim lighting, blue candles, black-clad servers and generally cozy ambiance, circa (yes, with a trendy, lower-case 'c') is the perfect date locale.
But the large speakers that sit perched above the elegant dining room belie the fact that the upscale restaurant -- located at 1518 Walnut Street -- turns into a swinging dance club when the hour grows late. Or, when some big recruiting firm rents it out, allowing Wharton students to take advantage of both the wide world of i-banking as well as circa's extensive bar.
But if, like the two of us, the night is more of a private affair, then perhaps a glass of wine is the way to start. Despite a large wine list, we began with a blush wine that fell well within the average college student's budget -- at $5.50 a glass. We then followed it by four more, but not before surveying the creative menu.
Circa
1518 Walnut Street
(215) 545-6800
Fare: American and Continental
We began with the circa soup, a light yet creamy lobster bisque. Even at $9 a bowl, it was well worth the green, whetting our appetites for further indulgence.
The appetizer selection, however, proved a more difficult choice.
It was tough to turn down the carpaccio of beef and the steamed Prince Edward mussels (complete with andouille sausage), but say no we did.
Rather, after much deliberation, we ordered the delicious and alliterative crisp calamari, as well as the sweet potato gnocchi at $8.50 and $8, respectively.
The gnocchi came with dried fruit, toasted walnuts and gorgonzola sauce, which completed the interesting variance on the traditional Italian dish.
But we had barely finished the last tantalizantilous bite when our waitress came to take our "main plates" order.
Despite many diversely delicious choices -- Togarashi Spiced Tuna ($24.50), Pan Seared Sea Scallops ($19.75) and Balsamic Poached Cervena Venison ($24) to name a few -- the filet mignon special, accompanied by a beet and potato puree and a merlot demi-glaze, was just too tempting to turn down. So turn it down we didn't.
The presentation was almost as good as the filet itself, which masterfully lay atop the red puree, garnished with broccoli. The mixture of red and green, along with the snow outside, reminded us of Christmas morning -- always a happy time.
We also ordered the New Zealand Lamb Shank ($23). Dressed with ditalini pasta, white beans and tomatoes, the lamb was so tender that a knife was all but unnecessary.
We topped the meal off with the Maple Chevre Cheesecake ($8.50) and the Toffee Stuffed Apple ($7.50). However, the more savvy -- or at least more hungry -- consumer might have opted for the circa Grand Dessert for two, which at $15, comes with two choice desserts from the menu, along with an assortment of truffles and petit fours.
It is also interesting to note that circa was not always a haven for couples and partyers alike. In fact, up until the mid-1980s, circa was not circa at all but rather, the Industrial Valley Bank, founded in 1925.
It's userous history is notable for two reasons. First, the diner certainly feels the old money presence, complete with a vault downstairs.
But more importantly, with great food at reasonable prices, you'll make out like bandits.
We sure did.
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