Skip to content, or skip to search.
Skip to content, or skip to search.
Home > Restaurants >
All Reader Reviews of...
Osteria del Circo
120 W. 55th St., New York, NY, 10019
nr. Sixth Ave.
212-265-3636
| 7.8 | "Recommended" Average Reader Rating on a Scale of 10 |  |
Osteria del GROSS!
maevemac13 from 10003 | Posted on 4/6/09
|
|
Went to Osteria del Circo this past Friday night for dinner and it was by far the worst restaurant I have been to in the city. First of all the bread was stale! They tried to hide it by reheating it, but it was clearly not fresh. The service and the food was subpar at best. I guess that explains way the restaurant was half empty on a Friday night. Would have been better off going to the street cart around the corner.
Did you find this review helpful? 
Great for All Occasions
outofleftfield42 from 10021 | Posted on 1/11/09
|
|
I've been coming to Circo for a long time and it is has always been a great experience. The kitchen serves up simple, yet elegant, Italian food, with great decor to add a little flavor to your experience. It is a fantastic restaurant for kids, though I've also brought dates here.
Did you find this review helpful?
Always buzzing
ellen5181 from 10024 | Posted on 7/14/08
|
|
A great place to eat before seeing something at City Center. A little on the pricey side, but I think the service is always really good, and the menu selections are interesting. That being said, this last time I had the duck breast in cherry sauce that wasn't my favorite. I did have the artichokes as a side dish and they were delicious. Didn't taste fried and right amount of salt. You never need to order dessert given the cookies, but the selections definitely look great.The maitre d is wonderful and always makes you feel like you are a welcomed returning guest. just watching him interact with all the patrons can be fun in and of itself.
Did you find this review helpful?
A MUST!!!!
lauraingram from 29206 | Posted on 4/29/08
|
|
We went on a busy Friday night with our 4 year old. Everything was perfect from the moment we entered the door! The service was impeccable! My four year old dropped some pizza on his pants and as I started to get up to clean him up, the waiters cleaned him up for me. The pasta was the best I have ever had! The next time I am in NYC I will be going back!!! This is a place that is great with kids, without kids, for any occasion!!!!
Did you find this review helpful?
A Circus of Delights
martin_chamois from West 50's | Posted on 3/21/07
|
|
Osteria del Circo is a wonderful lively dinning experience. From the moment you are personally greeted at the door, through great service by real pros, you have the pleasure of dinning in an environment conducive to enjoyment. The menu and cuisine provides a full spectrum of Italian specialties. While the place is always busy, it never becomes a three-ring circus; rather you are center ring through the experience.
Did you find this review helpful?
Wonderful food, friendly service and great with kids!
Love_New_York from 85254 | Posted on 12/6/06
|
|
After a rain-soaked Thanksgiving Day our kids were tired and fussy, and I was wary about our long-planned posh holiday dinner. We dashed out of the rain into a welcoming and whimsical atmosphere. The maitre d earnestly eyed the children, then thoughtfully selected a table with a corner bench seat, allowing the kids to climb and horse around without bothering us or anyone else. The waiter was wonderful. He brought our two-year-old her milk in a paper cup with lid and straw (thankfully). My four-year-old was so flattered when he brought her juice in a stemmed glass that she carefully never spilled a drop! The waiter suggested pasta with butter and cheese for the kids, while my husband and I enjoyed delicious squash soup, gnocchi, and turkey with dressing and all the trimmings. The kids enjoyed ice cream while we had the marvelous creme brulee and apple strudel. The evening was so enjoyable we did not want to leave. We will definitely be back!
Did you find this review helpful?
Step right up!
winebum | Posted on 7/1/04
|
|
I was pretty much impressed with every aspect of Circo. The food was excellent; I especially recommend the chocolate tart with bananas and rum gelato for dessert - to die for! The decor was very entertaining and the staff didn't even wince once when we walked in with a 6 y.o. and a baby (at least not that we saw anyway). In fact, the maitre d' was superb. He kept my nephew so entertained and distracted that my nephew would not stop talking about him and wanted to go back the next night! And the ENTIRE rest of the staff was equally as unpretentious and welcoming. It was just an all-around great experience. Of course, I was being treated to dinner for a special occasion, so if I had SEEN the bill I may be singing a different tune; however, I'm sure it was worth every penny.
Did you find this review helpful?
whacked at the circus
Victoise | Posted on 12/9/03
|
|
We were completely blown away the other night when we wandered into this restaurant (where I must admit we ate a few years ago on a business expense account but didn't watch prices) The place is pretty indeed but almost every man has a suit on, yuk, and the food is good. We sat at the bar to have a light meal after the film next door. I ordered a small salad and a HALF portion of pasta to keep the bill down ($12). My mate had an entree of bouillabaise, superb. We figured with this miserly ordering we'd get out under $50. Oops. I did have those 2 glasses of wine and he had one beer. The check was a little over $100. Why? Wine was $15 and $13 per glass, the beer $12! Watch out unless your on the ol expense account.
Did you find this review helpful?
The sons done good
huntleysf | Posted on 9/22/03
|
|
Pretty average Italian food, but great circus decor, nice attitude, efficient srevice, and reasonable prices. A very good drop-in place when you have to eat quick before a Broadway show. Whimsical and theatrical, setting the tone for a theater evening. The crowd doesn't hop the way it used to, but the food is more than reliable.
Did you find this review helpful?
A Special Treat,Ambience As Well As Food!
adsong from 10019 | Posted on 5/28/03
|
|
This is a special place. Designed in a circus motif...Its as if one was at the "Big Top", except the ring is above the crowd.A pretty,warm, inviting fun place,where the food is as inviting as the decor. Food is Tuscan in flavor. Dont miss the Ravioli di Mamma Egi,or the Pecorino and Black Pepper Crusted Lamb Chops with Cranberry Bean and Escarole Ragů,and save room for the wonderful desserts, including their famous Tiramisů. Say hello to Mamma Eggi, and her sons, who see all, and take care of evrything!!.Expensive, but worth it.
Did you find this review helpful?
Advertising
Latest News
Latest News Near
Popular Restaurant Guides
-
Where to Eat
Adam Platt picks 2009’s top dining destinations,
including Dovetail, Momofuku Ko, and Corton. -
Best of New York Food
The best that the city’s restaurants have to offer:
paella, coffee, grilled cheese, ramen, and more. -
The Cheap List
We live in a city full of small cheap-eats miracles,
including $1 foods, Korean fried chicken, and burgers.
Eight Year-End Films Vie for Oscar Contention
Sondheim and Lansbury on a Lifetime in Theater
The Black Keys Release Their Hip-hop Debut 
How the BQE Became an Artistic Muse
On Great Jones Street, Shopping Is Art 
Classic Fare, Old-world Charm at Le Caprice
Buy a Brownstone for Less Than $1 Million
Fifty of the City's Tastiest Soups
Reasons to Love New York 2009
New York Politicians Refuse to Quit
A-Rod Has Babe Ruth in His Sights
McCain Yields to the Party's Pressure
