Le Cirk
Aug 17th, 2008 | By HAL | Category: Restaurants
While walking down Dame St the other day, the little woman noticed a new pub had opened. So, of course, we had to check it out for you, gentle reader.
Le Cirk is a faux-Parisian cafe bar, decorated to look like a place 1890’s arty (absynthe-swilling) folk would have loved. The design is all Edwardian-esque, Lumiere brothers, circus of ye olde years.
Think of the place the Moulin Rouge dancers would frequent after kicking their heels up all night, and you’re there. I’m thinking the name is a funky play on Le Cirque, but could be completely off the mark.
Looking at the decor and enjoying the chilled-out atmosphere, my gaydar did a sweep and I have to say the place seemed gay-friendly. This was tested later in the evening when, after imbibing some drinkies, I got a bit loved-up (le cringe). It was all good though, not an eyelid was batted.
When we arrived, it was for a drink before we were to meet friends for dinner. We were greeted warmly by the excellent staff and chose a lovely, leather couch seat. On the table were the drinks and food menues. All I can say is: Wow. All sorts of cocktails, the usual beers and four types of Sangria. It’s rare that I get excited about a drinks menu, but this was really excellent. The wine menu was perfectly pitched too, although the fact that it didn’t concentrate on French wine was a bit odd considering the theme of the place.
The food menu was so good, we called our friends and said we were changing our arrangements and they had to try this place with us. Seriously, it’s that impressive – different, interesting and the delicious scents coming from the other tables convinced us to stay.
My wife was the only one of us who ordered a starter – her favourite, Caprese. Caprese is a simple dish, but as a result, needs to be done well or it’s awful. This was good if not great. the tomatoes were perfect, the basil just enough but there wasn’t as much cheese as I would’ve thought a basic requirement. It was delicious, mind you, I’m just a picky fecker 
For mains, I had Terrine of Ham Hock with an avacado salad. Melt in the mouth. I love ham hock, but it is unusual to see it on a menu as it’s not really trendy. This was delicious and the salad I chose to accompany it was perfect, lots of peppery rocket offset by the meaty, juicy avocado.
The little woman opted for Pan-fried Gnocchi. “God,” thinks I, “why would anyone pan-fry gnocchi?” Well, that just shows how I think inside the box too much. It was tasty, comfort food perfect for the cold, rain-soaked evening outside.
The others in our little group got Fish and Chips and Bangers and Mash. Both sound like something your mammy would make, but were poshed-up. The fish was smoked and battered (haddock I think) and was all flaky gorgeousness, accompanied by ‘real’ chips, with actual potato in them.
The Bangers and Mash is the meal I am going to get next time I’m there. It looked delicious, really hearty food that warms you from the inside out. Yum.
For desserts, one of our party continued her quest to find the best Creme Brulee in Ireland. This was good, but too custardy apparently. I had Coffee Cheesecake which wasn’t half as heavy as I dreaded. It was light, fluffy and delicious. The other dessert we ordered was Ice-cream, which was the perfect end to a hearty meal.
The meal came to €158, that’s for four people with one bottle of wine, a jug of Sangria and a round of drinks. A word on the food presentation. Wow. Again. Some serious work is going on in the kitchen of Le Cirk. It’s not just the food either. We ordered a jug of Sangria and watched as it was made from scratch for us.
There is real pride in making something properly, both the food and the drinks.
It is usually unfair to review the food of an establishment that has only opened, and hasn’t gotten into its stride yet. But if this is Le Cirk toddling on baby-steps, hang on to your hats when it starts running.
Le Cirk also has a cocktail bar on the first floor, but we didn’t venture up. Also, in September, they will be opening the basement which will become a Tapas Bar. Another visit must be had to try that out!
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I am very interested in this website, do you have their phone number to arrange a booking as they are not listed with Eircom yet.
Kind regards, Jenny O’Leary
Hi Jenny, thanks for your comment.
I have no idea what the number is but I shall find out. I have a flyer from them somewhere. Will update you later.
Found it!
it’s (01) 635 0056. They say they have a website at http://www.lecirk.ie but it doesn’t seem to be up yet.
Enjoy!
A few friends and myself went to Le cirks after work on a friday eveing. We are all in our late 20s so we thought we would try this new place out. I really liked the food it was amazing and the bar staff are friendly but my main complaint is the door staff. We had 5 more friends who said they would skip the meal and come for drinks they arrive around 9pm perfectly dressed and sober and got so much grief from the doorstaff that we all decided to leave im am really not impressed with this after all the money we spent there and for this to happen they have really bad attitudes and it totally spoiled what could have been an enjoyable eveing. No complaints about the food but we will never go there again. My advice to Le cirks a new place is to find new security. Problem solve.
Hi Angela,
Brian here, General Manager of Le Cirk. I was totally surprised to read your comments regarding the experience your friends had last Friday evening when visiting us.
You can take it that I am investigating this incident personally, and will have any problems in this area rectified immediately.
Hopefully you might get the cahnce to visit us again, whereon we can make amends for any offence caused to you, or your friends.
Kind Regards,
Brian Clinton.
hi all
I visited le cirks last week, its a nice place to chill out, very relax atmosphere and friendly doorstaff and bar staff.
i would recommend this place for 30s and over/just a relaxed night to catch up with friends.
Hi,
I recently had a party in le cirk – 30th and have to agree with jennifer that it is a cool place, and the atmosphere was brilliant that night. i had met the Head Chef to organise some food and what we got on the night was spectacular and tasty and very professional served – They had mini-fish and chips in an expresso mug (How cool is that)!!! Also the cocktails that were made by Darren were fantasic – not the usual muck you get around town, but sharp tasty cocktails.
i think its exactly what dublin needs and a refreshing change to the boom boom boom of town!
keep up the good work guys and i will see you again – A. satisfied Punter!
i was in this place and thought it works well. Didn’t know that they had an entrance on DAme Lane aswell.
I was talking to another barman in Temple bar and he said that the cocktail barman “darren” has won a lot of competitions for making cocktails – So is this place going to be the next cocktail bar of dublin or what??
I was at this place about 60r7 weeks ago and I have to say its a great spot.
Me and my friends have been so bored with all the bars in town and were
delighted when we heard of a new place and it definately succeeded our expectations.
We have been there about 4 times since and I have to say that I am so surprised at that
girl saying that they security weren’t nice as every week i go in now and i really think they are
the nicest security i have come across in town. Maybe her friends weren’t as well dressed or
sober as she thinks. They are very polite and friendly and are so unintimidating which is very rare.
All the staff in general are lovely, the cocktails are great and the food is fab.
Le Cirk is a definate place to go in town….I love it!!!
I was in Le Cirk Friday and Saturday I’m totally astonished reading Angeleas comments, The place is truley magical a real gem fair play to whoever designed it reminds me of a place I visited in the French quater in New Orleans deadly.
It is simply not true what Angela wrote about the door staff everytime I visit they are very polite professional and friendly and its not in your face security with stero-typical white shirts black ties. On Saturday I was sitting inside the door waiting on a lady friend it was 7ish and Le Cirk was quiet, The doorman sitting inside the door was very charming and well educated we actually spoke for while on the American election(in no other establishment would one find this ) and I was actually a little sadened when my friend arrived as it signaled the end of our conversation.
My friend and I than proceeded to the Basement Jazz club where we had a ball cool sounds in a really trendy relaxed atmosphere the place is genius the drink is very reasonably priced and tapas are lovely Well worth a look folks.. Sandra.