5 star plus! It was my partner's birthday and we were in town for an art show and were looking for someplace special Circa 1992 did not disappoint! We shared a bottle of Whites Bay Sauvignon Blanc. We mentioned to the waitress that it could have been a touch colder (we like it icy) and after pouring us a small glass each she took it back to the blast chiller to cool it down more. It came back cooler and we put it on ice at the table. One of our favorite ways of eating sharing small plates. We started with a dozen oysters (6 from NC and 6 from SC). They were very good and the sauces that came with them were a nice compliment. Next was a nice arugula salad with some goat cheese. It was perfect for the 2 of us. Then came the "mains". We had Octopus with polenta. Not tough or chewy and the polenta was a nice compliment. Mussels in a nice white whine sauce were nice an garlicky and the bread that came with for sopping up the broth was perfect. Final "main" was beef tartare with a marrow bone. My partner does not like marrow so it was all mine and it was spectacular. Finished the night with a mini creme brulee that we shared. It was served in a little demi cup and it was just the right size bite. Our table was on the 2nd floor and it was a great atmosphere. Even though it was full, the room was not too loud that we couldn't have a nice conversation. Here is the best part. Our server, Nikki, was one of the best we have had at any restaurant. A little personality, just attentive enough and brought out our dishes just as we had asked them to come out. Couldn't ask for any better. Was our experience cheap? NO but if you have a special occasion or just want to treat yourself go to Circa 1992! read more

We love this place for date night and to celebrate our anniversary. Never a bad meal. read more

It was very delicious. The environment is beautiful and romantic the food is tasty and an excellent vibe the prices are higher due to the quality and type of restaurant seafood of quality will cost more and so it was all worth it. Services was very from. I wish we had been told the sizes of the oysters when we asked which one they recommended and they said to get two of each of the three types and if you see the pictures one of them were so small. read more

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Anniversary Dinner !! First time experience here Very Happy & impressed. waiter was very impressionable,on time & provided a great experience. Food was on point three course meals included very tasteful breads for starter followed by salads that were fresh & mouth watering,then on to the filet mignon Dish which was cooked perfect comb with the sauce the used. . Salmon Dish with the light mustard sauce & brussel sprouts were Delicious then desert peanut butter mousse. Food was cooked perfect 10/10 waiter was awsome, atmosphere was pretty decent as well . We definitely look forward to coming back,trying more on the menu. read more

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Outstanding service and incredibly delicious food! They have the upstairs decorated so beautifully for the holidays. We made a reservation for 5:30pm on a Saturday evening and were grateful to be seated upstairs since it was quieter and more intimate. Downstairs they did have a piano player which created a nice ambience. We ordered the Brussel sprouts for an app and I loved the lemon dressing they were drizzled in. The duck dish was super crispy and the short rib in the gnocchi dish was so tender! The key lime pie was also the prefect combination of sweet but tart! They also have a prefix menu for $40 which I thought was an amazing deal for the quality of the food! Highly recommend and I would definitely come back when I'm back in Wilmington! read more

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The service The food The location Everything is 100. A great location to celebrate an occasion or a great spot to take someone for a fancy date. Our waiter was A1 and the food was divine. The options are plentiful which made it difficult to make a decision. From drinks, to appetizers, to mains, and desserts, we loved it all. Highly recommend and would return. read more

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This is one of my favorite restaurants, so I decided to celebrate my birthday here. My husband and I selected from the Prix Fixe menu. We both ordered the Caesar salad. I ordered the pork Milanese and he ordered the Bolognese. The salads were huge! We could have easily shared one. It was delicious. My pork Milanese was outstanding! It was a large cut, nicely breaded (not thick in breadcrumbs), topped with arugula, tomatoes, parmesan cheese and a remoulade. It was one of the best Milanese I've ever had. The Bolognese is always a hit and favorite too. For dessert, we had the mini crème Brule and mini peanut butter mousse. Codi provided very nice service. Cocktails are pricey. We were waiting at the bar for our table, as we got there a little early. The bartender said they ranged $16 to $18 (prices not posted on the menu). That's a little high, so I waited to order a glass of sparkling wine at dinner. The place was pretty full. I love the atmosphere of the place. read more

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Nice staff, didn't rush us. The atmosphere is warm & friendly. Enjoyed our cocktails, crab dip app, seafood paella, steak fritters, the flounder was a bit over cooked. I'd go back. read more

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We had a wonderful date night at Circa 1922. We have reservations and were immediately seated. The ambiance is cozy and intimate in many areas, while still allowing for larger parties and groups. We enjoyed cocktails and the spring roll appetizer to start. The cocktails were lovely and the appetizer was delish! Crispy on the outside, flavorful inside, and such a beautiful presentation. Hubs ordered from the Prix Fixe menu. Staring with the Caesar salad, then the salmon and I had the steak frites. Everything was seasoned perfectly! The crispy crouton breadcrumbs really *made* the Caesar salad! The small desserts are another great way to sample so much that Circa has to offer. The hubs chose the crème brûlée with his Prix Fixe menu - it was a great end to the meal. read more

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Bustling Friday night. Great service. Piano live entertainment. Mussels extraordinary (not pictured) soup hot and rich. Filet perfectly cooked. And that chocolate. Run, don't walk. read more

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We went here to celebrate a birthday and absolutely loved it! The crab dip, carrot cake, and sangria were amazing.

We came here for an early birthday dinner while on a short weekend trip. I was so happy I was able to get a last minute reservation. Initially they were booked. The restaurant is beautiful and has that 1920s aesthetic. They had a lady playing a piano, which added to the mood. We ordered some cocktails and they were both strong and delicious! We got several small plates and the tuna umami bomb. The crab dip and the beets were delicious. I ordered the scallops for my entree and my husband got the steak. Dessert was also delicious! I got the mini earl grey cheese cake and my husband got the key lime pie. Everything was delicious and I would definitely go back here! Only down side is bathrooms are upstairs and I didn't see an elevator for people with access issues, but I didn't look either. read more

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Starts with excellent and friendly servers. Have dined at Circa several time since moving to NC. We have always had an excellent time, All our visiting friend have also enjoyed the fine culinary presentations from the Fabulous Chef. Crab Dip is our favorite appetizer. The weekly Prix Fixe is a fantastic offering. read more

Loved my dinner here this weekend! Our server, Cody, was friendly, helpful, and efficient. The filet, heirloom tomato and burrata salad, pot de crème, and ESPECIALLY the dessert special - peaches, blueberries, and rice pudding - were all delicious. Still thinking about the rice pudding dessert... Looking forward to returning next time I'm in the area. read more

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For the Wilmington area this is excellent. We had the Prix Fixe and Honey I'm Home cocktail. The ambiance, service, and food were top notch and a good value. read more

The French onion soup was perfect, and the restaurant is beautiful. But the pork dish was not good. Because it was friend, I couldn't see where bone and gristle were, resulting in some very unpleasant bites. The sauce on the bottom also made the crispy coating limp. I did like the fennel salad on top. My friend said the steak frites was okay. There was a strong unexpected anise flavor in the au poivre sauce. read more

Circa was on a list of places bookmarks to visit while in Wilmington having a three course pre fix menu. Having stopped by after they opened inquiring about the menu asked substitutions due to an allergy was told they could accommodate was certain I would return. Choosing the board of three decided on Boar salami, duck pastrami and an aged brie. The board arrived and was eye appealing.Fresh berries, blueberry jam (made in house) honey, cucumber slices (instead of crackers) dijon and pickled baby strawberries. Service was nice she was attentive and kept my glass full of water. read more

We visited for the first time and was not impressed at all as the food was not that good at all other than the French onion soup and everything else was terrible, service 2.5 out of 5 and the ambiance was ok maybe 2.0 and restrooms were up two flight of stairs so handicap people would not be able to use. Not a good experience. read more

My husband and I came here to celebrate Sunday night for dinner. Parking was fairly easy to find on the street outside. Parking is paid for at the meters everyday except Sunday so that was a nice score after paying $25.00 for two hours in a lot down the street earlier that day. The location wasn't crowded when we arrived and we were greeted and seated within minutes. The hostess was friendly with a big joyful smile and welcoming vibe. She took us to a large booth that not only looked fancy but felt it too. The restaurant is awe worthy with tall ceilings and decor that truly sets the scene. Sarah, our server greeted us and went over the menu with us before running off to the. At to collect our drinks. My husband enjoyed an old fashioned while I had a custom gin drink that the bartender graciously made for me using their caramelized fig syrup. After sipping for a bit we ordered the tuna poke umami bombs and our meals. The tuna came out quickly and was as described poke on a cute little pillow of crispy rice. I didn't love it and found the tuna to be lower quality. The rice was plump and with the poke sprinkled on top seemed a bit large. After our appetizer we both enjoyed the autumn greens salad. The lettuce was fun and fresh, and the pomegranate seeds and butternut squash really gave it a unique flavor. The dressing was lite and perfectly paired for this dish. After our salads Sarah delivered the Roasted Pumpkin Agnolotti which we were so excited about. The presentation was beautiful, but the flavor left a lot to be desired for. The pasta was a bit too al dente, and it was very salty. There was a balsamic drizzle on top of it which gave it a bit too much acid. Overall it had a lot of potential but didn't quite hit the mark like we'd hoped it would have. For dinner my husband enjoyed the filet mignon while I had the Salmon En Croute. His filet was cooked perfectly at medium rare and was served with some vegetables and a little potato. My salmon was also cooked to perfection and the pastry crust around it was excellent! Crisp and not too thick. I absolutely loved it! For desert I had the earl grey cheesecake and my husband had the mini pot de creme. I also enjoyed an espresso martini which was tasty and got the spot. Overall the food was fair- I'd definitely come back for the ambiance and great service but would love to see more custom cocktails on the menu as well as an improvement on food items. The bathrooms were located upstairs and were very clean and well maintained. read more

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The service was spot on with a very friendly waitstaff person. The restaurant is very interesting looking as it's an old bank building. Food , we had the oysters which we alway love. Then we had the Charcuterie board 24.00 which was good. Then we split the seafood paella. Husband liked it, I though it was way way to salty. I couldn't eat it because it was so salty. Husband said we probably wouldn't go back but it was nice to try read more

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Love love love this restaurant. The space & decors looks way better in person, extremely intimate, my partner and I had our two years anniversary at this restaurant and it was thoroughly an enjoyable experience. The waitress who helped us was upbeat, sweet, and friendly with the check ins and food recommendations. We ordered for starter the steamed mussels, it was SO SO GOOD. Portion was great, and the breads were nicely toasted and crunchy. Great start to the meal. I'm a big octopus fan but the octopus here is just okay, it tasted a bit old and crummy in the mouth and not the nice chewy texture. I ordered the Butternut Squash Ravioli for my main, very sweet & delicious but I was unable to finish it and took it to-go. My partner got a Filet Mignon, he asked for medium-rare, it came out medium-well done, we asked to replace it and the waitress was extremely accommodating to replace it to make sure he was satisfied. He said the mignon was absolutely delicious after :) read more

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Went for wife's birthday. Service was outstanding. Food was very good and well prepared. Wine was half priced -- and something we had not experienced before -- they gave us a bag to carry home the unused portion of our Riesling! read more

Delicious food. I've been here several times and has not disappointed once. I don't think there is anything I wouldn't recommend on the menu. Nice wine list and good enough beer selection. Staff is always friendly and knowledgeable about both food and drinks. It is a popular place and a lot of times people come to celebrate occasions. I come to Wilmington 3-4 times a year for work, and this is a regular stop. read more

This is everything a restaurant should be. Kind, attentive service without being pushy. Excellent food, seasoned right, and made with quality ingredients at reasonable prices. A cocktail, beer, and wine list to suit a variety of tastes. The sliders were unreal and the filet was far above average. read more

We dined last night and Brandon was our server. He was attentive, helpful and very courteous. Brandon offered some help with our entrees choices, giving us information about how the dishes were prepared. We shared an appetizer of spring rolls which were delicious. They were well seasoned and a great start to the meal, a perfect portion for 2. We enjoyed a bottle of temptanillo with our meals. I had the steak fries which was well seasoned and cooked perfectly to my taste; medium rare. The fries were cooked in tallow which gave them a very rich taste. A raddicio salad was included. My husband had the potato gnocchi with short ribs. It was absolutely divine! We finished the meal with the carrot cake, a fabulously tasting, rich, decadent dessert. We were very impressed with the service and the food. We will definitely return! read more

The service we received was very good. Our server Heather was friendly and quick. The food was tasty. The flounder was a little dry, but the sauce and shrimp made up for it. The filet was amazing. The quality of it and the sauce on it were delicious. The focaccia was light and a nice start to the meal. The calamari had a light fry on it and the sauce was sweeter. The Chocolate Pot De Crème was a nice way to end the meal. It was rich and decadent, with a strong dark chocolate flavor. This was a nice, slightly upscale restaurant that would be good for a date night or dinner with friends. read more

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I ordered the Seafood Paella which is my favorite dish, and although the server said it was one of their top dishes, I literally found it inedible! It was beyond disgusting! The other people in my party found their food very enjoyable! I like the decor and it is probably a great restaurant but stay away from the Paella! I will try the restaurant again, but in no way does their Paella resemble true Paella which I have even enjoyed in Barcelona Spain! read more

We had such a nice time! Elegant yet not too posh atmosphere - drinks, apps, salads, entrees, deserts all delish! Our warm, attentive server made our evening memorable. We were even able to enjoy our time and got to our show without having to rush out. read more

Circa 1922 - Tuna Poke Bombs - Tapas Bars Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

I went to dinner here today with a large group of my colleagues and was blown away. Ambiance is beautiful and classy, with rich colored wooden tables, fine cutlery and open airy feel. The restaurant looks and feels upscale without being too fancy. Hostess was kind and our server was even better. To start off I shared the mushroom bruschetta and it was absolutely out of this world. The bread was toasted just right, the cheese was the perfect amount, mushrooms were cooked beautifully with a hint of garlicky, buttery umami and Oh my God the truffle oil was CHEFS KISS! Presentation was beautiful, when the plate hit the table I didn't even think to take a photo. I didn't think anything else would wow me more than the bruschetta but I was proven wrong the moment the seared octopus came out. Crispy char, perfectly tender on a bed of potatoes and tiny little bits and pieces. It was a beautiful, perfectly executed plate. I asked the waitress for recommendations and went with the scallops. This dish was the Third miracle of the night. Vibrant, buttery and delicious lemon risotto with plump, juicy, perfectly seared and buttery scallops on top. A literal piece of Heaven on a plate. If you are in Wilmington, and on the fence about where to go to eat, please come here, and you will not be disappointed. I am from New York City and I can confidently say this is one of the best seafood meals I have had. 10/10!! read more

Circa 1922 - Seared Maine Scallops - Tapas Bars Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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Don't know where to start. Everything was awesome. Arrival, seating, initial engagement with Lyndan--incredible server. Courteous, knew when to chat and when to stop; Knowledgeable of menu ; All while handling many table on Busy Mother's day. Had a good feel of flow of her tables and who need what and when. Food outstanding--served promptly--hot and well presented. Paella, Brussell Sprouts, Pasta Bolongaise--desserts served in mini cups clever--allowed for sampler. Since we were there I've told at least 50 ppl. You've gained a repeat customer read more

We had a small party of 9. The server was more geared toward getting bar orders than filling water glasses. We ordered several starters. Some of us shared salads. Starters arrived in waves. 2 would show up, then another about 15 minutes later. All of the food was delicious. The kitchen did very well. Some of us had to take food home. The people who had scallops said they were on point. There were only 3, but they were not small, and the risotto filled them up. The seafood paella is very rich. If you eat here, expect to pay about $50 to $75 per person. More if you are drinking. Everyone loved the atmosphere. It is run like an upscale restraunt. The lights are low, giving it a more romantic ambiance. This would be a place to return to for a special occasion. The price will keep a lot of people away. read more

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The vibe is awesome, the cocktails were top notch and the gnocchi was one of the best I've ever had outside of Italy! We loved sitting at the bar and chatting with the sweet bartender! read more

Circa 1922 - Gnocchi with short rib ragu - Tapas Bars Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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Favorite spot in Wilmington. Always consistent with great food and service. Great atmosphere, love the live piano music! read more

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Another great dinner at Circa 1922 in Wilmington (8 North Front Street), this gem never disappoints! We started with the Caesar Salad (Little Gem Lettuce, Brown Butter Bread Crumbs, Pecorino Romano) topped with Flank Steak. The Flounder with Shrimp, Broccolini, Capers, and White Wine & Tomato Butter was delicious. Paired with a glass of red and white, each bite was proof to the care, patience, and thought put into every dish. We love the food here. But what truly made our evening unforgettable was our server, Sara. Sara was absolutely incredible--fun, witty, caring, and thoughtful. We've never had a server quite like her and will likely be asking for her every time we return. A New York transplant who now calls Wilmington home, Sara's passion for her job is palpable and she is exceptional. Circa 1922 consistently delivers both culinary excellence and outstanding service, making it our go-to spot in Wilmington. Five stars all around! read more

Excellent food service and ambiance - crab dip was excellent - nice wine selection. service was great! read more

Food was amazing, service was exceptional and ambiance was very comfortable. Reserved a table for 4 at 6 o clock and was promptly seated even though we were early. read more

Went back for dinner. Seated right away upstairs, which I prefer the more quiet ambiance . Our server was very attentive and fun. Did not realize they offer a $40 Pre Fix with a nice variety. The food was very good, though the Caesar salad was very 'leafy' with no fresher crisp romaine. Bolognese was really good and the desert was a nice way to finish off. As long as the $40 Pre Fix stays, I'll certainly be returning. read more

I had a fantastic meal here recently. I forgot to take pictures but everything was beautiful and amazing. This was my best meal of 2024 so far. I had a big piece of salmon which came with succotash and potatoes. I had a mixed salad and for dessert a peanut butter mousse. I ordered off the price fix menu. The service was great and the overall feel was was somewhat romantic. Lots of dark wood and low lighting, but not dark. I would definitely go here again if o had the chance. read more

I'd definitely recommend this place if you are looking for an upscale and classy dinner. It was awesome for a date night. We had the three course meal for $40 which included bread service, a salad, an entree and dessert. The flounder was very good and tasted very fresh! Id recommend this again for a date night! read more

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Food was excellent and they were able to seat us a group of 10. Reasonably priced. Drinks spectacularly done