Enter The Circle Lounge at Birmingham Hippodrome, and you’re immediately enveloped in a space that has undergone a magical transformation.
Our visit to The Circle Lounge preceded a production of the breath-taking ‘The Nutcracker’ by Birmingham Royal Ballet, and let me tell you, this space was the ultimate pre-theatre dining destination.
Embracing the brown retro vibe with a modern twist
It’s got that brown retro vibe mixed with contemporary flair, creating an atmosphere that could set the stage for any production. The mood lighting adds that extra touch, setting the scene for a night of theatrical magic. A delightfully designed space of multiple heights, table sizes, and vistas. It’s so chic – ’70s-style high back chairs in retro fashion mingle effortlessly with more contemporary touches, all drenched in a palette of blues, gold, and an overall sumptuousness that makes you feel like royalty from the moment you strut through the door.
Accentuating design notes with a palette of blues and gold
Now, let’s talk about the culinary mastermind behind this gastronomic adventure – Chef Angelina Adamo. Picture this: a menu of small plates inspired by Angelina’s Mediterranean roots and her family’s philosophy of sharing food and creating fantastic memories around the table. It’s like a culinary journey that starts with your taste buds and takes you straight to the heart of the Mediterranean.
For me, this was the perfect pre-theatre dining experience. We dove into a variety of sharing plates; strategically chosen to ensure we didn’t waddle into the performance feeling like human sized Arancini. From the spicy kick of Kale + Chilli Rigatoni to the comforting embrace of Aubergine Parmigiana, each dish was a symphony of flavours. The star of the culinary show? The ‘Nduja Arancini with Brummie Honey and Basil – a delightful dance of spicy, sweet, and herby notes that deserves a standing ovation.
Chef Angelina Adamo
You can also choose from a selection of sides, including sumptuous House Focaccia, Salted Chips, Garden Salad, Roasted King Cabbage with Sumac Yoghurt, and Roast New Potatoes. Additionally, indulge in a variety of Sweet Treats; we succumbed to the allure of Espresso Tiramisu, a dessert that deserves its own spotlight. The rich espresso and delicate tiramisu layers created a delightful symphony on our taste buds, leaving us in a state of dessert-inspired bliss.
What’s even better is the assurance that our table was ours for the entire evening. No need to rush – if we fancied something during the interval, our spot would patiently wait for our return. Let’s also appreciate the idea of having a drink ready for you, allowing you to gracefully bypass the queues. This not only adds to the relaxed experience but also provides you with more time to enjoy. They’ve even thoughtfully placed washrooms within reach for that intermission convenience.
The ‘Nduja Arancini, Brummie Honey and Basil
As the curtain fell for the first act, we sauntered back to our haven in The Circle Lounge, ready to indulge in a grazing platter that was practically a work of art. Breads, cured meat, hummus, pickles, olives, marinated vegetables – a feast fit for a theatre king or queen. And let’s not forget the cheese plate, a harmonious selection of cheese, chutney, and accompaniments, all washed down with the perfect glass of red.
We were there for an evening performance, but you can also relish a specially curated lunchtime selection, which makes us a tad jealous that we didn’t have the chance to try it. You can check out the lunchtime menu here.
Indulge in a variety of Mediterranean-inspired sharing plates
In a nutshell, if you’re on the hunt for a pre-theatre dining experience that oozes sophistication and guarantees relaxation right on the spot, The Circle Lounge is your golden ticket. The social sharing concept is nothing short of perfect for the occasion – after all, good food is meant to be shared, just like the joy of a stellar theatre performance.
