I am a big fan of brunch, so when I heard about the All You Can Eat Brunch Buffet offered at Circa Grill on Sundays, I just had to check it out. Circa is located just across the street from the landmark red caboose on Thompson’s Station Road West.
Upon entering the restaurant, I was greeted by a smiling hostess who told me I could sit wherever I wanted. Eddie Osborn, Circa General Manager and a good friend of mine, was behind the bar, so I happily took a seat across from him. He promptly poured me a mimosa.
After chatting for a few minutes, I decided to check out the buffet, which presented a wide variety of breakfast and lunch options. Eggs Benedict, bacon, sausage, hash brown casserole, mixed fruit, pancakes, French toast, cheese grits, breakfast potatoes, scrambled eggs, and biscuits with sausage gravy were available, as well as fried chicken tenders, macaroni & cheese, blackened tilapia over rice, pasta with meatballs, and make-your-own house or Caesar salad ingredients. All of the food looked fresh and delicious, so I decided to sample a little bit of everything.
Expecting ham in the center of the eggs Benedict, I cut down through the fried egg and discovered a very tender, well-seasoned piece of steak atop the English muffin. What a delightful surprise! Then, I tasted the perfectly crisp bacon and the thick, savory sausage links. At this point, I knew I would return to Circa for many Sunday brunches in the future. Another highlight was the homemade sausage gravy, which was tangy, thick, and creamy, served over soft, fluffy biscuits. The fruit was fresh, and the breakfast potatoes were crispy on the outside. The cheese grits could have used more seasoning for my taste. The hash brown casserole was tasty, but for me personally, the onions tended to overpower the other flavors in the dish.
Diners looking for lunch had more limited choices, but all of the options were homemade and appetizing. The fried chicken tenders and macaroni & cheese were enjoyable and provided a nice, easy meal for picky eaters. Those looking for lighter options could make salads with the fresh lettuce, tomatoes, onions, broccoli, peppers, cheese, olives, dressings, and other toppings placed on the buffet. The pasta with meatballs dish was robust and well-flavored with Italian herbs. My favorite lunch option was the blackened tilapia over rice. The fish was light, flaky, and well cooked with a spicy Cajun kick.
Finally, several homemade desserts were plated at the end of the buffet. There were slices of pie and cake or brownies, as well as cups of homemade pudding. I decided on a cup of bread pudding topped with blackberries, whipped cream, and rum sauce. OMG. The bread pudding was flavored perfectly with vanilla, cinnamon, and sugar, and the rum sauce provided a lovely finish to a delightful experience.
Overall, I was highly impressed by the taste, quality, and variety of foods available on the buffet. I definitely will be visiting Circa again for brunch, and I also look forward to trying out a few appetizing items I noticed on their dinner menu. See you in Thompson’s Station!
