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Circo - Permanently Closed

4.1
4.1
1886 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian
Circo offers upscale Italian fare built upon a foundation of signature Tuscan recipes from the kitchen of Maccioni matriarch Egidiana and prepared by Executive Chef Alfio Longo. The menu is served in a lively, sophisticated setting reminiscent of the old-style European circus tents which inspired the restaurant's name.

"When we opened Circo in 1996, our business plan was simple, Dad's Hospitality, Mom's Food, run by the sons."

Bright blue circus rings suspended with gold stars, sculptures of monkeys swinging near overhead, playful clowns dancing above the open kitchen and a ceiling hung with tapestries & trapezes all reinforce the vibrant circus theme.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Cuisines

    Italian

  • Hours of operation

    Lunch: Monday -Friday 11:30am - 5:00pm Dinner: Monday 5:30pm - 10:30pm Tuesday - Saturday 5:30pm -10:30pm Sunday 5:00pm - 10:30pm

  • Phone number

    (212) 265-3636

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Business Casual

  • Executive chef

    Alfio Longo

  • Catering

    Off site catering available for smaller events.

  • Private party facilities

    With a beautiful Bar area and outdoor Terrazza, we can help create an unforgettable experience for you and your guests. Our Chef is also on hand to create a personalized menu for any off premise event you would like to have catered.

  • Private party contact

    Marta Shul: (888) 641-4852

  • Neighborhood

    Midtown West

  • Cross street

    6th and 7th Avenue

  • Parking details

    A parking garage is located next door on 55th Street, between 6th & 7th Avenues, same side of the street. <br />http://nyc.centralparking.com/opentable/6623/Osteria-Del-Circo-Parking.html

  • Public transit

    Subway:<br />E M @ 5 Avenue / 53 Street<br />B Q N R @ 57th Street / 7th Avenue<br />F @57th Street / 6th Avenue

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,886 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.1
4.1 based on all time ratings
  • 4.1Food
  • 4.1Service
  • 4Ambience
  • 4Value

NoiseModerate

Sort by

  1. RitaH

    New York Area

    26 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on November 3, 2017

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    We discovered when we sat down that we were there on the penultimate night of service in this restaurant, which has been open for at least 20 years. They lost their lease that very week, and the staff had just been told a few days before. We were very sad, because Circo had been one of our regular venues for pre-theatre dinner, particularly for City Center. I had celebrated several birthdays there as well. Our dinner was delicious but sad. We will miss Circo.
  2. RegisteredDietitian

    New York Area

    188 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    188 reviews

    Dined on November 2, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We are so sorry Circo is closing on Sunday. It has been our go to restaurant for over 20years. Good bye to a dear friend
  3. Robert

    New York Area

    22 reviews

    3.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on November 2, 2017

    overall3food3service3ambience4
    Having had dinner at Circo several times in the past, most recently it was somewhat disappointing, hopefully an off evening and poor selections from the menu. The staff, though friendly, was overworked and harried, but they did get us out on time for the theater, an easy target as we only had main course and dessert. The veal was tough and grissly so that the scallopini dish chosen by three at our table, though flavorful, was a poor choice. A restaurant like Circo should be more careful in purchasing its meat. Hoping to return for a better meal.
  4. RegisteredDietitian

    New York Area

    188 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    188 reviews

    Dined on November 1, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    How sad, our go to restaurant with great service and food and ambiance is closing on sunday
  5. tpsx36a

    New York Area

    43 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    43 reviews

    Dined on November 1, 2017

    overall2food3service1ambience5
    Would not recommend. Owner only interested in his "friends." No waiter! We ordered thru a busman who told the wine guy what we wanted. Food came on time and was good but wine was actually BAD, so he opened another one that was awful tasting, finally a Shiraz that was drinkable. He was nice. Tried to be helpful. Very disorganized. The people next to us were equally horrified. Beautiful place though.
  6. OpenTable Diner

    Orlando

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 1, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Loved it. So sad they close send!
  7. Pacer

    New York Area

    66 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    66 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2017

    overall4food4service3ambience4
    Pre-theater from 5:30-6:30 great deal. Choices great and portions a good size. Yummy pumpkin tart. Wine list has changed and we found it difficult to find a moderately priced wine. However maitre d’ was able to find a suitable and fine tasting wine that was not on the list. Enjoyable evening.
  8. Speats

    New York Area

    33 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    33 reviews

    Dined on October 27, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We have been to Circo many times over the last few years and it has never been a disappointment. Just days after we were last there, I heard they were about to close. That is a huge disappointment. Bruno and friends, we miss you.
  9. Average

    Phoenix

    29 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on October 27, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Bruno is the greatest as always he and his Circo Troop are the Best of the Best! AAA+ If you want a great dinning experience and finest quality, this is the place. Enjoy! Thank you again!!
  10. Brownfoodgroupie

    Baltimore

    26 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on October 26, 2017

    overall3food4service3ambience3
    Restaurant was veeery busy pre theater but quieted down after 7:45pm. Staff didn’t pay attention to Open Table notes about our special anniversary, although Maitre D spoke to us after dinner & decorated dessert plate. Friends called restaurant to send us drinks & they couldn’t find a reservation for us - Hello Open Table! Large portion of veal parmesan & very delicious creme brûlée!
  11. Ellen

    San Francisco

    55 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    55 reviews

    Dined on October 22, 2017

    overall3food3service3ambience4
    Everything was way too salty!! I could barely eat my dinner.
  12. JAGJR

    New York Area

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on October 21, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I enjoyed their chicken specialty and my wife also enjoyed her salmon. The venue is much better than Aquagrill where we went last week. I’m not sure about comparing the venue with Le Bernardin or Nobu but the staff Bruno, Elmo and Julio made us feel special. We will come back.
  13. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 20, 2017

    overall1food1service1ambience2
    Very bad service, not enough waiters. Food was very average
  14. TurtleBayResident

    New York Area

    18 reviews

    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on October 20, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Circo is elegant and classy. The pasta is homemade, subtle, tasty, and presented well. I loved the Papardelle with wild mushrooms and duck ragu. I would go back for that.
  15. MsMM

    New York Area

    44 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    44 reviews

    Dined on October 19, 2017

    overall3food3service3ambience4
    Have come to this restaurant pre theater for many years. It seems to have lost it's food quality at the same time that it has gotten very pricey. Decor is lovely, but food Is skimpy and lacking good flavors.
  16. jayworth

    New York Area

    52 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    52 reviews

    Dined on October 13, 2017

    overall2food2service2ambience1
    What a disappointment..tired almost shabby decor & a menu that hasnt been updated in 15 years. As to our dinner, their gas service for the kitchen had been interrupted hours before, which resulted in more than half the menu items to be unavailable, such as all pastas, etc. Rather than notify us via open table (where we had made the ressie) or via my email address or cellphone, they chose to say nothing in advance. We werent even notified when we checked in at the door; we werent told until after we sat down & had ordered a cocktail. too late to change our plans. A terrible way to treat us. Will NEVER return !!
  17. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 13, 2017

    overall3food2service3ambience3
    There was no gas at that day, so they don’t serve pastas and many other dishes. I chose the chicken and it’s so plain. Bad experience
  18. lefiz

    London

    19 reviews

    3.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on October 9, 2017

    overall3food5service2ambience4
    I've been dining at Circo for years, and have generally been very happy. Hopefully this was just an off night, but the service was slow and inattentive, and numerous beverage choices on the menu were unavailable.
  19. Lovinit

    Atlantic Canada

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 30, 2017

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Close by Times Square. Whimsical, modern decor. Generous Martini followed by a great meal . We both had Sea Bass but prepared in different ways (salt crust & grilled with lemon and capers) Suggested wine to accompany was excellent. Would recommend to friends. Outstanding service
  20. CJohn

    Phoenix

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on September 30, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    From the efficient good humor of Maurer d' to the knowledgeable and patient waiters it was a terrific time. Italian wine and salt-encrusted Bronzino, the meal was wonderful. A "circus" of delight.
  21. MEME

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 29, 2017

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Great service. Very ood foode. Bargain menu available
  22. RobertaC

    New York Area

    20 reviews

    1.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on September 24, 2017

    overall1food1service1ambience4
    I have eaten at this restaurant several times and it was always fabulous. The food has been fantastic, the place was always packed, the ambience fun and exciting. Our recent dinner was a major disappointment. There was one waitress, the white wine was warm and we were told it would have to be put on ice for 15 minutes, or pasta dish came out cold and had to be sent back to be warmed up and our entrée - Dover sole was too rich and the veal Milanese was tough. Needless to say we left as soon as we could and will never go back there. What a total disappointment. This place had been fantastic. It certainly isn't now.
  23. Gary

    Miami

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 22, 2017

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Food was great - salad portion was too small - wine prices on the high end - overall it was a delicious lively meal - would come back the next time we visit NYC
  24. Mike

    San Francisco

    50 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    50 reviews

    Dined on September 12, 2017

    overall2food2service2ambience3
    This is the second time we have tried Circo for dinner with the same friends. The two orders of salmon were good, as were the salads, the service was very slow during both visits. The two orders of veal Parmesan were a disaster, dry tough veal with a burnt cheese on top, no visable sauce. The veal portions were round in shape and looked like pizza's being served. Neither of us finished the veal as it was hard to chew and not tasty. The side of broccoli rabe was about 1/2 a cup in size for $11.00...no value. There are too many better places in that area of mid town to dine at with good food and good service.
  25. Jimmyb

    Dallas

    15 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on September 5, 2017

    overall3food3service3ambience5
    Just reopend and they were out of several items. No mozzarella, only 2 choices for red wine. Ambience was nice and servers friendly but food was just average.
  26. RachelleC

    San Francisco

    26 reviews

    4.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on August 10, 2017

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Have not been to Circo for some time but when colleagues and I were in NYC and wanted a nice meal near our hotel, I recommended Circo. The maitre d was suave and lovely as usual, the food and service were great, just as I remembered. We ate outdoors and had a lovely time.
  27. dineout

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    2.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 9, 2017

    overall2food3service1ambience3
    The service was basically nonexistent. The waitress was not attentive. It was pretty obvious that our entrees were delivered to another table as the wait after our salads was insanely long. I was last here two weeks ago and the air conditioning wasn't working.
  28. OpenTable Diner

    New Orleans

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on August 7, 2017

    overall5food3service5ambience5
    Birthday - greT room
  29. OrrinD

    New England

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on August 6, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great service nice staff. We ate 3 nights in a row!!
  30. linnie

    New York Area

    67 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    67 reviews

    Dined on August 5, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Circo is always great and this time it was no exception. Dinner was great and the ambience is always terrific.
  31. Orbit

    West Palm Beach

    38 reviews

    4.0

    38 reviews

    Dined on August 4, 2017

    overall4food5service4ambience5
    Nice dinner. Fly flew into one glass of wine and when the waiter was told, he said I will filter the wine. That was a surprise. Did not drink the rest or complain.
  32. olga

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 4, 2017

    overall4food4service3ambience4
    Very pleasant place, especially during summer time with their outdoor area... Good quality food, good wine list, of course expensive due to area...
  33. dehillerin

    New York Area

    213 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    213 reviews

    Dined on August 2, 2017

    overall4food4service5ambience3
    Two friends took me to lunch for an early birthday celebration. The service was prompt, pleasant and attentive, in no way intrusive, It was Restaurant Week, and we indulged in a three-course lunch. Excellent trofie al pesto, pollo al mattone, and a darling fresh blueberry tartlette. Everyone was pleased as can be. Will happily go back another time. I prefer it at lunch, when the restaurant is relatively quiet...but then, it's my generation's preference.
  34. Susan

    St. Louis

    69 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    69 reviews

    Dined on August 1, 2017

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    We love it here. Too close to other people. Food fantastic. Service fantastic. Great place
  35. OpenTable Diner

    Orlando

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 31, 2017

    overall1food3service1ambience3
    The restaurant was empty. I had to wait 45 minutes to get my first course which was a "salad". Second course took another 30 minutes. The waitress didn't come to check on the table or to advise what the wait was until I asked. Overall, lunch took two hours of my 60 minutes window and I told the waitress I was on a schedule. The son of the owner seated us and was nowhere to be found when my colleague and I wanted to complain. Food and portions were mediocre at best. I don't recommend this restaurant.
  36. SpecialOccasionMontreal

    Pittsburgh

    38 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    38 reviews

    Dined on July 30, 2017

    overall4food4service2ambience4
    We enjoyed very good food but the service was agonizingly slow. We can recommend the salt encrusted branzino and the rack of lamb. On a night when only a dozen tables were occupied, it was surprising and inexcusable that the service was so slow. It would be risky to come here pre-theater.
  37. JMAD

    New York Area

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on July 28, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Restaurant week lunch was fabulous: good selection, generous portions, wonderful food. Every detail, from the delicious bread basket to the "Happy Anniversary" written on our dessert plate, to the attentive service, was outstanding. The maitre d has to be one of the most charming old-world gentlemen in New York. I couldn't recommend it more highly!
  38. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    7 reviews

    3.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on July 26, 2017

    overall3food3service2ambience4
    Waitress was over whelmed, which made the service very slow. But the food was interesting enough to try again.
  39. notjust4Bme

    New York Area

    48 reviews

    4.0

    48 reviews

    Dined on July 25, 2017

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    This was my first visit to Circo, prompted by Restaurant Week. However, for those of us who do not eat desert, ordering one appetizer or salad plus an entree amounts to pretty much the same price as ordering from the Restaurant Week menu. The food was very good and the convenience to Carnegie Hall make Circo another good choice.
  40. Orchid

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on July 24, 2017

    overall3food4service3ambience4
    The service is very slow. Possibly understaffed. However the food was very nice and the ambience also nice.

FAQs

Circo - Permanently Closed offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (212) 265-3636.

Circo - Permanently Closed is rated 4.1 stars by 1886 OpenTable diners.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

Google Map for Circo - Permanently Closed

120 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019

Additional information

  • Cross street

    6th and 7th Avenue

  • Neighborhood

    Midtown West

  • Hours of operation

    Lunch: Monday -Friday 11:30am - 5:00pm Dinner: Monday 5:30pm - 10:30pm Tuesday - Saturday 5:30pm -10:30pm Sunday 5:00pm - 10:30pm

  • Cuisines

    Italian

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Dress code

    Business Casual

  • Parking details

    A parking garage is located next door on 55th Street, between 6th & 7th Avenues, same side of the street. <br />http://nyc.centralparking.com/opentable/6623/Osteria-Del-Circo-Parking.html

  • Public transit

    Subway:E M @ 5 Avenue / 53 StreetB Q N R @ 57th Street / 7th AvenueF @57th Street / 6th Avenue

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Alfio Longo

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Phone number

    (212) 265-3636

  • Catering

    Off site catering available for smaller events.

  • Private party facilities

    With a beautiful Bar area and outdoor Terrazza, we can help create an unforgettable experience for you and your guests. Our Chef is also on hand to create a personalized menu for any off premise event you would like to have catered.

  • Private party contact

    Marta Shul: (888) 641-4852

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Cookie Preferences
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