The Circus Restaurant — Restaurant in Bath

I booked a table for 7 a week age before we traveled to Bath with my parents and families, who came from abroad to travel. I paid GBP70 as deposit when I booked the table. But my parents tested positive on the day we traveled to Bath so the whole plan was messed up. We were all busy on that day getting medication and essential things for the coming few days as they were travelers it took us time to get everything they needed for the coming few days after testing positive. We totally forgot to call and cancel the restaurant booking until about 2 hours before the booking. I called the restaurant and tried to see if I could cancel the booking or change another day. But the lady on the phone said we called in a very last minute (about 2h before the booking, I have to say it was quite last minute) so they would keep all GBP70 deposit. I asked if the booking can be amended as we will go to Bath again next week when my parents are recovered, they said no and said that's why they asked for paying the deposit when I booked the table. I also asked if that could be sorted flexibly, like just part of the deposit as we did not even travel to Bath (we based in London) on the day, the lady said the same thing that means we lose all GBP70 without using their service at all.

Probably people use COVID as a reason to cancel their bookings that's why they just don't care. The lady also said I could have made the call earlier. But we did not even travel to Bath on that day. It was quite disappointed. I understand the reason why the deposit was paid when booking a table, it is for avoiding people to change their booking at the last minute. But sometimes things are not under control. My parents did not want to catch COVID as well. But I thought the restaurant could be more flexible in terms of deducting the deposit. GBP70 is a lot. I am sure there were people filled in our seats at the end as their reviews are great. Or even not, we have not been using their service at all at the end. Just want to leave a review for people, especially booking for a big table, be mindful it is a high risk if your plan is changed or anything happen on the day you would lose all your deposit. I have a thought that if you have an accident (like a car accident, touch wood!), they would still take away all your deposit as they only follow the policy without being considerate.

Although they have good ratings, I believe I won't go or suggest to friends to go as my...

A rare visit to Bath, A fantastic Breughel exhibition, exploring the city and its many treasures, and a search for a Monday evening meal led us to the Circus.

4 of us, we enjoy food and wine and treasure our luck if we find the right place.

I am partially disabled and climbing down and up stairs can be an issue. We booked, failed to ensure that my needs were discussed and arrived at a small, bustling place to find that ground floor tables were fully spoken for, and that the only option was down a set of stairs.

Every effort was made to move an incoming party to the seats below but they couldn't be contacted. The welcome we got from the staff was quite outstanding and I think they would have carried me down if possible. I can manage; access to loos is the added complication but from the welcome and care we got, risk of the descent and the ascent was on the cards and slowly I got there. Fingers crossed that the loo would be un-needed (which it was).

Menus are very personal. This night it was a "wow" in every line. I wanted a taster of everything but my wife "ordered me" to be restrained. Between us I think we had a dish from every part of the menu. The starter of Baked Crab was, for me, quite superb (and I asked for the recipe and when I got home next day, it was waiting on the computer. I won't describe any more). The service was as near impeccable as you could find, the wine list had a treat in for every course and the evening was one of those really rare fantastic occasions.

You need to book. I am likely to book every time we go to Bath. Oh, and the Breughel exhibition...

The Circus has some pretty impressive ratings. It is rated #4 in the Top 20 UK restaurants that foodies love in The Times magazine and the reviews on Tripadvisor place this restaurant in the top 1% of the world. In addition, it has also been rated a Michelin restaurant in the past but doesn’t currently hold that rating. It is a modern European restaurant that makes you feel like you are eating a 5 Star meal in the comfort of your home. The outside is misleading, so enjoy the surprise when you enter the front doors. It is such a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere with intricate and well-thought-out meals.

The menu is seasonal. It’s always changing which adds to the excitement if you’re in Bath often. They also do their best to only use locally sourced ingredients…. Amazing. They have a great wine menu, so start there. Share a bottle, live a little. We both had the flat iron steak and it was melt-in-your-mouth wonderful. It came with chimichurri sauce, roasted shallots, watercress and chunky chips. Well worth the money.

Lastly, you do have to make reservations, so keep that in mind, you can do it online on their website or give them a call. There is a £10 per person deposit that is required. The Circus is also in the same neighbourhood as the historic ring of large townhouses also called ‘The Circus’. People do live there, so be respectful, but make sure you snap a photo or two of these iconic buildings...