Circolo, Vancouver(BC)

Circolo
1116 Mainland, Vancouver
Ph: 604 687-1116

We went to Circolo as part of the "Dine Out in Vancouver" event. It's located in Yaletown. We had an early dinner, really early like at 5pm, not a time I'm used to eating.

I have never been to an Umberto Menghi restaurant before so this was my first chance. At $35 per person for a 3 course meal exclusive of taxes and drinks except for table water, it was a bargain. We order a half carafe of Sauvignon Blanc by Jackson Kendall(calif.) Dry but slightly sweet wine, it was very smooth nothing rough to my taste.

The restaurant itself is very interesting as it stretches and twists with hidden rooms. The main dinning area in the front is very lovely with booths and many intimate tables for twosomes. It did feel a bit cramped with all those small tables turned in many different way so as to not leave a large empty spot anywhere other than lanes for people to move around in.

There is an opening into a kitchen, not sure if that is the main kitchen or a part of it couldn't tell but always a curiosity for me to peek.

The service is warm and efficient. Our server whose name I didn't quite catch due to my cold and stuffed ears was very attentative but not suffocating. He answered our questions and left us alone for appropriate intervals.

We sat near the windows and faux fireplace with the fabric ceiling above us. I was quite facinated that I was beside wooden folding doors that gave me a small window to look down the bar area and into another dining area in the back of the restaurant. There was also a piano on the otherside of the folding doors so I'm assuming there is a live music at some point during the evening especially on weekends.

I started with the simple Romaine salad with herb crutons and creamy garlic dressing. The dressing wasn't too garlicky but then again my poor nose was a bit stuffed up so I'm not sure if I'm right or wrong in my impression. My foodie partner in crime had Lemon cured beef carpaccio, with acacia honey and truffle oil. He wolfed it down so I assumed it was very pleasureable as he didn't share(pig!)

My entre item was the Loin Veal Medallions with wild mushrooms, red wine jus and veggies on the side(1 stick of aspargus/carrot/broccoli and mashed potatoes) Veal was done very nicely and I have to admit it was enough food even though when I first saw the oversized plate with the small portions of food it had me concerned. The veal was done just right and very tender as a calf should be. My only criticism would be the mashed potatoes could have been a bit more creamy but then they would have to put in a lot more butter and it's not good politics to clog your customers arteries right now.

My partner had the Pepper crusted duck breast. It was very tender and not very fatty which surprised me as farm raised ducks tend to lean towards a lot of body fat.

For dessert we both chose the creme caramel. Done very well! The burnt sugar crust had that satisfying spoon cracking noise which always make me smile for some strange reason. The custard underneath wasn't runny and very delicious.

We finished with teas. Nothing like a cuppa tea to help you reflect if this is a place you want to come back to or even recommend it.