SUDDENLY, EDGEWOOD AVENUE has become a happening place for all sorts of unlikely eating and drinking destinations. Among them: Dynamic Dish, offering a healthy array of dishes made with seasonal, local and organic ingredients; and Harlem Bar, with a cool, urban lounge vibe and soulful Southern cooking, served well into the wee hours. Now comes Cafe Circa, with a winning bar, restaurant and live music concept that manages to be both swanky and comfy.
SEXY SCENE: Sexy is the first word that comes to mind upon entering Cafe Circa. The stylish décor, congenial servers and diners out for a good time create a scene that crackles with energy. Rafters and skylights give the space a loftlike feel. And exposed brick, wood floors, gauzy curtains and moody lighting add to the appealing aura. A row of cozy banquettes along one wall, a spacious, backlit bar and groupings of high-top tables in between provide a nice variety of seating options.
VIVACIOUS VITTLES: Like the atmosphere, the menu is both playfully sophisticated but friendly and familiar. Circa's executive chef, William Linares, mixes Caribbean-style dishes with American, Latin and Asian influences. Empanadas, stuffed with spicy ground turkey and dried cranberries, and served with apricot sauce, are typical of Linares' fried-savory-sweet combos.
Much weirder, but surprisingly addictive, his chocolate chicken wings are deep-fried drums rolled in thick, dark chocolate syrup and sprinkled with white chocolate shavings. The result is much more fiery than sweet — sort of like Buffalo wings and Mexican mole. It's fun food, if utterly messy.
Easier and equally tasty mango-infused spicy shrimp with dark rum sauce is a blend of subtle, fruity flavors, served over aromatic coconut rice. Other entrees include guava jerk chicken cutlets and sautéed salmon with bourbon lime sauce.
For dessert, there's crème brûlée cheesecake, peach cobbler and Key Lime pie.
COCKTAILS AND TUNES: On Mondays, Circa's Dinner Jazz and Jam brings out a convivial crowd to hear the jazz sounds of keyboardist Jez Graham and drummer Chris Burroughs, with guest vocalists, such as Gwen Hughs and Rita Graham, after 10:30 p.m. On Thursday nights, indie soul artists such as April Hill, Rogiers and Liv Warfield perform, and there's never a cover charge. The bar stays open until 2:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, with plenty of fruity cocktails, beer and wine.
Cafe Circa, 464 Edgewood Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-477-0008. www.cafecircaatl.com
HOURS: 11 a.m.-12:30 a.m. Sundays-Thursdays; 11 a.m.-2:30 a.m. Fridays-Saturdays
CREDIT CARDS: MasterCard, Visa, American Express
PRICES: Appetizers and salads, $5.95-$9.95; plates, $9.95-$19.95; desserts, $5.95
RESERVATIONS: Yes
RECOMMENDED DISHES: Chocolate chicken wings, spicy shrimp with dark rum sauce
PARKING: Street and lot
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS: Yes
SMOKING POLICY: No smoking
NOISE LEVEL: Moderate-loud
TAKEOUT: Yes
VERDICT: Fun food, cocktails and live music make for an exciting scene.
