West Seattle restaurant Circa, celebrating 20 years: Welcome, new WSB sponsor!

Today we’re welcoming Admiral District restaurant Circa as a new West Seattle Blog sponsor! Here’s what proprietors Gretchen and Bill would like you to know about their restaurant, now celebrating 20 years in business:

We are the perfect microcosm of West Seattle. We’ve been in the Admiral District for 20 years! We have plenty of regulars who have been here since year 1. We have 6 amazing servers who have been at Circa well over 10 years and plenty of new, wonderful staff. But, people aren’t eating at Circa because of its longevity – they keep coming back because our food is consistently great.

We make just about everything in house – sauces, gnocchis, cake, gumbo, and hand-formed burger patties. Everything we source is of the highest quality: Painted Hills beef, all-natural chicken and lamb, fresh produce. We are a “New American” restaurant so we have a little something for everyone. Some of our house favorites over the years are our killer meatloaf with veal demi-glace and red potato mashers, steak salad, pork mole enchiladas, 8 oz. hamburger on Macrina brioche. We have casual food (great fish and chips) to upscale regional (shrimp grits with caviar butter). I could go on and on.

We have also always been very kid-friendly with a variety of kid meals and a small library and toy box for kids to raid when they arrive. Circa was my 3 boys’ favorite restaurant growing up and I’ve loved that they felt welcome there. You should have seen the look on their faces when we told them we were buying it 2 years ago! That being said, we also have a beautiful bar to sit at. 14 beers on tap, a good wine selection, and full cocktail bar. All bias aside, Circa is the perfect neighborhood bar and grill. You will feel welcome and leave very satisfied.

Repeat Circa patrons say: Don’t EVER change your steak salad, meatloaf, or chocolate cake. Seriously, we hear it all the time! Trust me, I wouldn’t touch those recipes with a 10 foot pole. Having been a server here for over a decade before becoming an owner, I know what NOT to touch :) I also can’t tell you how often over the years we have customers tell us about a big life event that Circa reminds them of, whether it’s a chance meeting with a future spouse, an oasis during a tough time in life, an aging grandparent’s favorite meal, even a new mom’s water breaking! Our bar and longtime bartenders are a favorite draw for those looking to just slip out of the house and feel welcomed and relax. These small things in life are what so many of us need to recharge. Circa has provided that for so many, for so long. It is a great source of pride for all of us who turn Circa‘s wheels.

Here’s how else Circa supports the community: Having 3 kids in this community we donate considerably to nearly all of the schools in the immediate area. We’ve also done fund drives for different causes, including staff. If anyone has a group we could contribute to or benefit from … give me a ring! (206-923-1102)

Circa is at 2605 California SW, open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch.

We thank Circa for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

11 Replies to "West Seattle restaurant Circa, celebrating 20 years: Welcome, new WSB sponsor!"

  • Lory April 5, 2018 (1:21 pm)

    OMG 20 years….makes me feel older than I already am!

     

    Congrats Circa and here’s to 20 plus more! 

  • Scott April 5, 2018 (1:40 pm)

    Awesome family- I love these peeps!

    (Great food, too..)

  • Kat April 5, 2018 (3:50 pm)

    Our favorite neighborhood restaurant.  Congrats Circa on 20 years!  Keep those yummy crab cakes coming for another 20.

  • Proud Papa April 5, 2018 (3:58 pm)

    You know it’s probably time to go back to Circa. We used to go frequently starting about 15 years ago up until just before the new owners took over. We stopped going as we started finding the staff less and less friendly, and on some cases rather rude or dismissive. They used to be so friendly. The food was always good, but with more and more good restaurants opening up we didn’t want to deal with the snarky staff.

    Sounds like the new owners have made a difference. We’ll be back.

    Oh, and CONGRATS on 20 years!

  • sbre April 5, 2018 (6:36 pm)

    Bill, Gretchen and the kids are neighbors of mine and fantastic people.

    It’s great being able to support a local family AND their staff of locals with less than a 3-block walk.

    I’m hooked on the meatloaf and the chocolate cake!!!!! 

  • Foodie April 5, 2018 (9:11 pm)

    I remember the Japanese restaurant that Circa replaced. It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years. Congrats.

  • Christian April 5, 2018 (10:40 pm)

    Congrats on 20 years Bill & Gretchen and so glad you guys bought Circa 2 years ago. Great having you guys (and your taste food and drinks) just down the block from us at Sea-Town Real Estate!

  • Bob April 6, 2018 (6:28 am)

    I agree with you Proud Papa. Several years ago, I continued to experience a less than engaging hospitality from the staff. Now, over the past couple of years, it has become my favorite. The food is great and has flavor, the entire staff is warm and friendly. Nice job Circa.

  • JeffK April 6, 2018 (7:46 am)

    We’ve been in WS for 5 years and discovered Circa then.  It’s our go-to place, the food and staff are always great.  I love the rotating taps.  We’ve always had a good experience here.

  • Adam April 6, 2018 (10:16 am)

    Circa is our favorite!  Great for kids too.  Happy Anniversary Circa!

  • Rob B April 6, 2018 (11:57 am)

    Circa is our go to in admiral! It has always been good and is reasonably priced. We also LOVED that they had corned beef and hash, Black and Tans, and other Irish specials on St Patty’s day. 

    Congratulations on 20 years!!!

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