Bread & Circuses Bistro & Bar — Restaurant in Maryland

What you will see here is the truth and nothing but the truth.

My husband decided to take me out for dinner on a Saturday night. We didn't know what to expect since this was our first time dining here. Upon entry, we noticed that this small restaurant was packed and anticipated to wait to be seated. On the contrary, the young hostess advised that table was available since the other party left amd was set up. The last party was served water and bread before leaving... umm I informed the hostess I hope we will be served fresh water, but she stormed off. So I went to the bar and expressed my feelings over the hostess behavior and asked for fresh items. No one wants to drink or eat something that was breathed on by others.

At this point, the table was cleared and we were only served fresh water and new glasses, but no bread. (I am not upset about it; but would've loved to experience the service). We got to glance at the menu, and after undisclosed minutes a server came and asked if we wanted anything to drink. Hubby ordered an Ouzo, for me I was I was happy with the water. After the drink was served we still were looking at the menu trying to figure out what to order. But it took the sever nearly over 10 minutes or longer to come back to check on us to see if we were ready to order.

When she did come we placed our order. Hubby ordered the mussels for an appetizer. For his entree, he ordered the Steak Frites and I had the Expresso Rubbed NY Strip which came with mashed sweet potatoes and green beans. The wait for our entrées took nearly 45 minutes to be served. Before our food was served, we watched most of the servers enjoy themselves entertain their friends and family, including the cooks and hostesses take selfies while working.

During the wait, we could smell cigarette smoke. At first we thought it was coming from inside, but it was from the patrons who stepped outside the opened door which was not far from our table. The smoke blew inside and started to make me sick. At that point we were so ready to leave.

Overall the steaks were cooked to our satisfaction. The mashed sweet potatoes were not my favorite, so I just chowed down on the steak and green beans. Hubby said the fries were too salty.

Over all I would average give the food 3 stars, but service 2 stars. My husband said, I guess we have to be friends or family of the staff to get quick service and impeccable service. A party that was seated after we were served got everything in seconds. We watched the server and the party spend over 5 minutes chit chatting and scrolling through photos.

I was willing to give this place another shot, but hubby was like there is no way we will...

A Great Place to eat if you are with a small party. A perfectly horrible place to eat if you are a group who need separate checks. I'm part of a little group from my luxury building that visits different local Towson dining spots.

I've been to Bread & Circuses Bistro & Bar many times and love their salads with meat. I've never had a bad meal at Bread & Circuses Bistro & Bar and I've been there over 5 times with friends. I've visited over the years with many friends in larger parties from our building and elsewhere and never had any problems.

After the pandemic Bread & Circuses Bistro & Bar changed dreadfully. Now their once attentive professional staff have become profoundly, vicious, tired, insulting and lazy.

I was part of a party of nine of from our building visiting Bread & Circuses Bistro & Bar one evening. We asked for just two things if we could group the few tables so we could all eat together and if we could have separate checks. These two requests had NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM BEFORE but on this day a surly, crude, vulgar verbally abusive woman with no business in a public facing position truly lost it when we asked for the two accommodations referenced above.

The thing that makes this weird is we live nearby. We visit often and despite inflation we are all doing well enough to leave tips approaching 50% of the cost of our meals. We know as a group take more resources BUT we show our thanks in the generous tip well above a mere 20%.

Bread & Circuses Bistro & Bar used to be a nice welcoming place and still is only if your party is small. Bread & Circuses Bistro & Bar is in business to put you to work calculating their bills. If you have a larger party and fail to yield to their demands you are immediately and rudely made to feel unwelcome.

Bread & Circuses Bistro & Bar has recently expanded and success seems to have gone straight to their heads. They have gone from a friendly neighborhood dinning experience to a pompous overstuffed rude group of self important layabouts too afraid of work to worry about customer needs. If I wanted to be treated rudely by restaurant staff while eating overpriced food I'd book a flight to France!

Bread & Circuses Bistro & Bar seriously needs to get over themselves. I am happy for their success but they should remember that they are...

Last night, we visited Bread and Circuses in Towson for the first time to support my daughter, who was performing live music in the bar area. What started as a special night turned into an absolutely unforgettable experience, thanks to the outstanding staff, phenomenal food, and top-tier service.

Our extended family came out in full force to support her—including a family member in a wheelchair—which really put the restaurant to the test. They were completely booked solid and unexpectedly short-staffed, yet somehow, they never missed a beat. The team worked together seamlessly, ensuring that every table was taken care of with warmth and efficiency.

When our disabled family member arrived, there were no available tables at first, but the staff thought fast and went above and beyond to accommodate them without hesitation. Their kindness, attentiveness, and problem-solving were truly remarkable.

Now, let’s talk about the food—absolutely mind-blowing! The Maple Brussels Sprouts, Chicken Marsala, and Mushroom Ravioli were some of the best meals we’ve ever had. The chef delivered perfection on every plate, and despite the hectic night, the food came out hot, fresh, and bursting with flavor.

And the bar? Simply exceptional. The bartenders were absolute rock stars, crafting some of the best drinks we’ve ever had. They were not only skilled but incredibly friendly and engaging, making sure every guest at the bar had a fantastic experience.

But what truly sets Bread and Circuses apart is the staff’s unwavering dedication and hospitality. From the hostesses to the waitstaff, every single person worked tirelessly to make sure the night ran smoothly. You could tell they genuinely cared about each and every guest, and their positive energy and professionalism made the entire experience feel special.

I can’t recommend this place enough. It was my first visit, but after last night, Bread and Circuses has officially become a regular spot for us. If you’re looking for incredible food, top-notch drinks, and some of the most amazing service you’ll ever experience, this is the place to be.

A huge thank you to the entire team for making our night so special and...