Originally located on High Street, Circa became the culinary institution and destination in Lewes, one of the most sought-out eateries in the South East.

The global-British cooking of Marc Bolger and his team has won friends, awards and plaudits across the country since Circa opened in 2001, including being voted by readers of Olive Magazine as one of the top 100 restaurants in the UK.

Keen to expand, owners Ashley and Ann Renton soon opened Circa Fish in Westgate Street, just a few hundred yards from Circa.

But when the chance came up to take over the catering facilities at boutique hotel, Pelham House, Circa Fish was closed and The Circa Brasserie was born.

Coping with two busy restaurants, pointlessly competing with each other, proved nonsensical and, in October last year, the original Circa merged with The Circa Brasserie whose lush location had the winning formula – style, surroundings and space.

Circa at Pelham House Hotel is now the one-and-only Circa.

"The venue is the only thing that's changed about Circa," says Ashley. "We've got the same head chef, the same hard-working kitchen team and the same global adventures on a plate."

And it's just as busy. Only now there's more space and it feels more relaxed.

The beauty of the location is it is right in the centre of Lewes but you can't hear the traffic. It's very peaceful and the organisation of the building and gardens means you look out to great views of the Downs.

Aiming to encourage a non-stuffy atmosphere and the slow pace of an enjoyable evening, a lounge full of squishy sofas has been installed for guests to sip away at aperitifs before their meal.

Tables will also be put out on the terrace before manicured lawns in the summer and staff are encouraged to be easygoing and chatty as well as attentive.

As ever, there are plenty of fusion recipes and imaginative detours (including lots of fishy options for those sad to see the end of Circa Fish, such as blue swimming crab, yam beans green, BBQ wrap, hot yellow soup, £8.45, and bang bang cod wedge, sausage dumpling, saute greens, young coconut laksa, £16.50).

Happily, the Circa aim remains the same: To make food more interesting and give guests a new dining experience.

Review by Xenia Gregoriadis

This restaurant is participating in the Dine for £10 offer. For more information, click here