ALTHOUGH it’s only been open a matter of months, the Circo Lounge in Westbourne already has that comfortable lived-in feel about the place.

Perhaps it’s the shabby chic decor and eclectic mix of fixtures and fittings that has transformed the former Poole Road newsagents into such a popular and cavernous cafe bar.

For once you set foot inside, it’s like stepping into a tardis, much bigger than it appears from the outside.

First you choose your table then order your food at the bar which was fine as it was still early evening and not too busy, but I’m guessing it might be trickier at the weekends.

On the plus side it means that you can just head off when you’ve finished your food without trying to catch the eye of the serving staff.

The menu is as random as some of the furnishings ranging from an all-day brunch menu to sandwiches, curries and tapas.

My son plumped for what sounded like his perfect breakfast; a stack of eggy bread topped with crispy bacon and drizzled with golden syrup and washed down with lashings and lashings of (Fentimans) ginger beer.

Meanwhile my husband was devouring a 5oz steak with two fried eggs, a grilled tomato and fried potatoes. All good quality ingredients, all perfectly cooked but he said he would have liked a bit more for the money.

I love tapas, and on Tuesdays after 5pm, you can get three dishes and a glass of house wine for £8.50. I chose patatas gratinadas (potatoes and manchego cheese) crayfish and prawns in a tomato and chilli sauce and falafels with red onion and coriander yoghurt dip.

The food was delicious and nicely presented in three china bowls on a wooden platter and served with three decent-sized slices of ciabatta bread which I shared with my other half to stop him complaining!

Overall it was a lovely, relaxed dining experience. The food arrived in good time, and even though it was early on a mid-week evening, the place still had a lively, friendly atmosphere.

This is an independent review by a reporter without the cooperation of the establishment.

The bill:

Egg and bacon stack £4.75

Steak and eggs £8.95

3 tapas including a glass of house wine £8.50

2 ginger beers £5.30

TOTAL: £27.50