About
CIRCA at Foggy Bottom is a trendy New American restaurant located in Washington, DC. Offering a variety of sandwiches, this restaurant is a great spot for both casual dining and special occasions. With a range of vegan options and limited vegetarian choices, CIRCA at Foggy Bottom caters to a diverse array of dietary preferences.
Located at 2221 I St NW, this restaurant also provides amenities such as outdoor seating, happy hour specials, and a full bar. The ambiance is described as cool and energetic, making it a popular choice for diners looking for a vibrant dining experience.
Customer reviews rave about the delicious food and attentive service at CIRCA at Foggy Bottom. Dishes like the French Onion Grilled Cheese, Fried Chicken Sandwich, and Shotgun Shrimp receive high praise for their flavor and presentation. The house-made fries, tender short ribs, and refreshing Asian salad with shrimp are also standout menu items.
For those looking to grab a bite before a show at The Kennedy Center, CIRCA at Foggy Bottom is the perfect spot. With excellent cocktails, unique dishes, and a convenient location, this restaurant is a must-visit for food enthusiasts in the area.
“ Decent service and a great location in regard to getting a bite to eat while visiting patients at GW hospital. Cool vibe and a decent selection of food. The Brussel Sprout app was My sister got the Asian salad and it was meh but my French onion grilled cheese was very good. The burgers are also a great size and cooked to perfection. ”
“ Enjoyed a great meal here before going to the Kennedy Center - shuttle bus right across the street! My sister and I shared 2 things - flatbread pizza and French Onion Grilled Cheese. The Flatbread was good, but the grilled cheese was amazing! Excellent cocktails (gin and vodka martinis) and lovely service. Nice vibe, not too loud to hear each other but good energy in the place. ”
“ I recently dined at CIRCA at Foggy Bottom and had a wonderful experience. Although we were seated in a corner, the ambiance was still great and the service was attentive. I ordered the Fried Chicken Sandwich, which came with shredded lettuce, dill pickles, dill pickle aioli, and a brioche bun. I opted for fries on the side, and I must say, these were the star of the meal! The fries were crispy and seemed homemade - a delightful treat even for someone who usually isn't a fan of fried foods. All in all, the food was pretty good, and I had a positive dining experience. I'll definitely consider returning in the future. ”
“ Another decent meal here. The restaurant was a little loud, but mostly due to people not realizing just how loud they were. Our server was great, very friendly and helpful. We had the shotgun shrimp. I was hesitant it would be too spicy but it wasn't and it was quite tasty. For dinner my husband had the steak frites. It was cooked perfectly and the chimichurri sauce was good. I had the braised short ribs. I asked for risotto instead of mashed potatoes but they had run out of risotto so they offered broccolini as a substitute. The short ribs were amazing! So tender and the sauce was delicious. We ended the night with a scoop of ice cream each. Recommend Circa for a quick walk to the Kennedy center! ”
“ Perfect spot before seeing a show at The Kennedy Center! The Asian salad with shrimp was refreshing and flavorful. The cocktails were unique. Choose from the breakfast or lunch menu. ”
“ My boyfriend and I came in here after viewing Clue at the Kennedy Center. Unfortunately, KC was not serving food in their cafe or restaurant due to a gala, so we had to find something in the area within walking distance. Circa is about a 10 minute walk from the KC. When we arrived, it was a little after 9, and there weren't too many people seated on the inside, but many on the outside. We were seated right away and handed menus. I will say the tables are a bit small and can't fit too much on them. The restaurant did pick up within the hour we were there, and by the time we left, almost all the tables were full. We quickly put in our orders because we had previewed the menu before we got there. My boyfriend got the sweet apricot wings, and I got the blackened mango chicken salad with a side of sweet potato fries. I loved my salad and the vinaigrette dressing. There were a few different fruits in my salad, like raisins, grapes, and mango. I'd never think to add these fruits to a salad, but I definitely will moving forward because it offers a sweet contrast to the tanginess of the dressing. Also, the chicken was nicely charred and seasoned. The fries were also very crispy and a pretty large portion , so that I had enough to take home. My boyfriend loved his wings. I didn't sample some this time since I already had chicken on my plate. He opted to have his wings grilled, although they typically have a fry finish. The reason I took off a star was the fact I had a cocktail--can't remember the name, but it had rum, grapefruit, Aperol, and a couple other ingredients. I thought it was just ok, but it was mostly just ice and I could have honestly done without it. They also have a 4.5% service charge for their meals, in addition to what you would choose to tip, and this is the first time I've seen this in a restaurant (outside of UberEats service charge). I mean the servers were very nice, but the additional fees restaurants are trying to get away with is becoming crazy. ”
“ The DC dinner scene is alive and kicking. Our server is a student at GW university with a lovely personality. She served our appetizers and entrees quickly. Tried the crab cake sandwich which crumbled on the soft brioche bun. ”
“ One of my top dc spots! I always make sure I get here when I come back to town. Indoor and outdoor seating available. Black Manhattan- good. Very strong. Lots of vermouth Maple old fashioned- very strong. Slight sweet tang The main reason I come here is for the Brussels sprouts. They are my absolute all time favorite. The combo of the blue cheese, bacon pieces, and tang of the balsamic drizzle is absolutely amazing. I'm drooling just writing this review. Cesar salad- classic but very garlicky. Marg pizza- so good and crispy but soft. The sauce bad a slight tang and spicy kick ”
“ Right across the street from the Foggy Bottom Metro station and the bus stop for the Kennedy Center shuttle. We saw the restaurant as we exited the Metro escalator and decided to go there for lunch after reading the Yelp reviews. We were seated outside in a covered area with a nice breeze blowing. The tables were not cramped together, although we could clearly hear conversations from nearby tables - but it was not awful. Service was excellent. The server immediately brought over two filled water glasses and a tall bottle of cold water. First, we ordered the soup of the day ($8) with two spoons. The soup was a cup of shrimp bisque. It was delicious with a risk bisque broth. Just two small pieces of shrimp in it, but the cup size was enough for us both to enjoy. One of the better bisques I've had in a while. For our mains, I ordered the turkey burger ($17) and my partner the Thai Shrimp Salad ($19). Both were outstanding. The turkey burger was a nice size on a soft brioche bun. The ground turkey had a perfect blend of herbs/spices. The habanero aeoli had a nice kick, but not overpowering. I liked the pickled onions also. There was a good serving of well prepared sweet potato fries - there were so many, I couldn't eat all of them. The Thai Shrimp Salad included shotgun shrimp (also available as an appetizer), which were lightly breaded and fried. The dressing (already mixed in the salad) was Thai peanut - very peanut-y with a nice kick. The shrimps were well prepared - not chewy. We went through one water bottle and it was promptly replaced. At least 3 staff came over during our meal to clear plates, fill water and check on us. Excellent service. This is our new go-to place for before/after-theater meals when we go to the Kennedy center. The menu is not extensive, but there are a number of other things I'd like to try. ”
“ So easy to get to on Metro! We got off at Foggy Bottom GWU and it's just across the street. The Happy Hour was fabulous! $9 cocktail of the day and $5 beer. $2 off small dishes. We sat at the main bar for happy hour menu. There were no seats at the patio bar. The place was jumping. So many people - such great vibe! Will be back ”