Stephanie Brookes, BBC Radio London food expert, offers her pick of an eating establishment for this month, choosing something a little different, Circus London in Covent Garden. As the nights draw in and the hurtle towards the festive season inevitably approaches, a sudden change to more nocturnal dining experiences open up around the capital. Just a few of the recent invites to arrive in my inbox include late-night cocktail evenings, intimate supper clubs and cosy fireside dinners, but none are more enticing than an invite to a night at Circus!

An evening of glittering cabaret is always an exciting prospect, especially on these cooler, autumnal evenings and a little escapism brightens up the mid-week no end.

Food and entertainment have always worked well together: when it’s ‘done’ right, that is.

I believe you either have to know beforehand what the evening will entail, or the entertainment has to be unobtrusive enough that it blends seamlessly into the evening’s feasting. There is no doubt, however, as to what to expect when making a reservation at Circus in London’s Covent Garden. It’s a kaleidoscope of cabaret, dancing and theatre, with something new to entertain guests every night.

Entering the venue, the long, imposing runway (made of quartz, no less) literally takes centre stage and is the focal point for the evening’s entertainment; a glamorous magician circles the room, performing card tricks to delighted guests as they sip on Champagne: it’s not the average Wednesday night dinner crowd, that’s for sure. Arriving at our table, a cocktail menu instantly greets us and a tipple (or two) is a must to start the evening in style. I can recommend the sweet, refreshing Sakura, made with a mix of vodka, cherry liqueur, lychee juice and elderflower cordial.