The Resident's Guide to LA: Circa

Finding a new restaurant for summer date nights can be tough, as my husband and I are picky restaurateurs. We like finding neighborhood gems - quiet restaurants hidden in walkable neighborhoods with a seasonal menu, exceptional wine list and affable customer service. We generally hope to spend no more than $35 per person, but we know quality pays a price. Luckily for us, we found the perfect romantic night out with the help of DineLA restaurant week.

Nestled among beach city greats like MB Post and The Strand, Circa sits along Manhattan Beach Ave in Manhattan Beach. Perched on a hill overlooking the ocean, Circa is perfect for catching a sunset before couples night out. Reserving a private table in the back of the dimly lit restaurant is a must, as the semi-booths provide the closest quarters for you and your mate.

Sharing a plate of cheese and charcuterie is the best way to start your meal. Together, you both are enjoying the same food at the same time, carelessly grazing each others fingertips to grab a slice of petit-brie and prosciutto. Although it is a supplemental $15, it much more mouthwatering than the mushroom tartine and little gem salad - which were both enjoyable in their own light. Though I did not care much for my roasted chicken, this made for the perfect excuse to spindle my fork in my husband’s meatball and bucatini pasta, and purposefully jumble my fork into his to steal a kiss. Dessert was the absolute highlight of our meal, with layers of graham crackers, firm chocolate and weightless marshmallows forming a perfect square of s’mores. I personally did not care for the churros at first; however, we were quickly accommodated after a brief mention to our waitress of our concerns.

While some of the dishes fell flat, others stole the spotlight from the show. For $35 a person - you simply can’t go wrong. A better selection of dishes may have supported a more enjoyable meal; however, I felt that it made for the perfect excuse to come back. Like any caring relationship, we looked beyond the faults of bland chicken and mismatched tartine ingredients to see the big picture of how Circa brought us closer together and delightfully entertained.