Circles Ekes Out Thai From One of the City’s ‘Dining Blind Spots’; ‘Clean and Refreshing Flavors’ Abound at Amis
• In a city where Thai is one of our “dining blind spots,” Craig LaBan notes that Newbold BYOB Circles “may very well sit atop Philly's humble pad Thai heap.” Though salmon in the pad Thai was “was seared to oblivion,” and “too loosely packed” spring rolls, “there were numerous other dishes to like.” A stew of kabocha pumpkin came with “superbly tender morsels of beef” in a “creamy red curry vibrant with galangal and lemongrass,” and “tender pads of pork with snappy green beans” in the form of pad kaprow earned high marks. And “fresh takes on the classics” wrought from “hand-blended curry pastes” distinguishes Circles from what “often passes for Thai around here.” [Inquirer]
• Katie Cavuto Boyle writes that Amis “has a lot to offer the health conscious,” including the “loaded with veggies” eggplant caponata, and the striped bass with crudo and sea beans that’s made “wonderful” with “clean and refreshing flavors.” The “simplicity of grilled shrimp” paired with the “rich texture and flavor of the smashed chickpeas” makes the roasted head-on shrimp with smashed chickpeas and watercress another winner. The “warm, naturally sweet and filling” vegetables served with the Atlantic cod makes it “one to-die-for dish.” [The Cheat Sheet]
