Le Cirque was a French restaurant that has had several locations throughout the New York City borough of Manhattan for more than forty years. It is currently closed, with its future status unknown.
| Le Cirque | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1974 |
| Closed | 2018 |
| Owner(s) | Maccioni Family |
| Food type | French |
| Dress code | Formal |
| Street address | 151 East 58th Street in Midtown Manhattan |
| City | New York City |
| State | New York |
| Postal/ZIP Code | 10022 |
| Country | United States |
| Website | lecirque |
New York City history edit
Le Cirque was established in 1974 by Italian Sirio Maccioni and continued to be run by the family through its closure in 2018.[1] It opened at the Mayfair Regent Hotel[2] at 58 East 65th Street in March 1974.[3] From 1986 to 1992, Daniel Boulud was executive chef and in 1995, it was awarded the James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Restaurant.[4][5] Boulud was succeeded in 1992 by Sylvain Portay,[6] and later Sottha Kuhn,[7] Pierre Schaedelin,[8] Christophe Bellanca (2007–2008)[9][10] Craig Hopson (beginning in 2008),[10] and Olivier Reginensi. In 1993, the tasting menu cost $90.[6] The restaurant at the Mayfair closed in 1996[3] and reopened as Le Cirque 2000 at the Palace Hotel in 1997 where it remained a hotspot through 2002.[11]
In 2006, the restaurant moved to a location in the Bloomberg Tower building at One Beacon Court (151 East 58th Street) and operated as Le Cirque New York at One Beacon Court.[12][13][14] It comprised 16,000 square feet (1,500 square meters) and was designed by interior designer Adam Tihany[15] and architect Costas Kondylis. The family's efforts to transition the restaurant were featured in the documentary film Le Cirque: A Table In Heaven directed by Andrew Rossi.[16]
Le Cirque New York closed on January 1, 2018, due to rising rent costs and other operational challenges,[11][1] but operated private events on a boat in 2019.[17] Its future plans are unknown as of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the restaurant industry[18] and the 2020 death of founder Sirio Maccioni.
Other locations edit
As of 2019, there were Le Cirque in Las Vegas and three Indian locations: New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. The Las Vegas location at the Bellagio Hotel served as a second flagship location and had one Michelin Star and an AAA Five-Diamond rating.[19] Their lower-end sister brand Circo has a location in Abu Dhabi, but the Dallas location closed.[17]
References edit
- ^ a b Rosner, Helen (October 11, 2017). "What Le Cirque Will Be Remembered For". The New Yorker. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
- ^ Cuozzo, Steve (October 17, 2017). "A final goodbye to the legendary celeb haven Le Cirque". New York Post. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
- ^ a b Fabricant, Florence (June 13, 2004). "Le Cirque Is Expected To Move On At Year's End". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
- ^ Sirio Maccioni Named Beard Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree for 2014
- ^ Chef Daniel Boulud: Biography DanielNYC.com
- ^ a b Reichl, Ruth (October 29, 1993). "Restaurants". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
- ^ Chung, Jen (June 14, 2004). "Cirque du Sirio". Gothamist. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
- ^ "Jason Kallert Carries the Le Cirque Torch". Grub Street. February 27, 2008. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
- ^ "A 'Clean, Elegant' Lamb Trio at Le Cirque". Grub Street. October 5, 2007. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
- ^ a b Fabricant, Florence (November 17, 2008). "Craig Hopson Takes Over at Le Cirque". The New York Times.
- ^ a b Tarmy, James; Krader, Kate (March 31, 2017). "What Caused the Downfall of New York City's Glitziest Restaurant?". Bloomberg.com. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
- ^ Le Cirque | Manhattan | Restaurant Menus and Reviews. Zagat. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
- ^ Bruni, Frank (February 6, 2008). "In Defense of Decadence". The New York Times. Retrieved February 24, 2008.
- ^ DeLucia, Matt (June 2006). "The return of Sirio and Le Cirque to New York". New York Restaurant Insider.
- ^ Project Le Cirque Archived February 7, 2009, at the Wayback Machine Tihany Design
- ^ Le Cirque: A Table In Heaven HBO
- ^ a b Tuder, Stefanie (August 19, 2019). "Legendary Le Cirque Is Back, But Only for Pricey Events on a Yacht". Eater NY. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
- ^ Chaffin, Joshua (March 19, 2020). "Coronavirus brings down a New York restaurant empire". Financial Times. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
- ^ "Bellagio, Le Cirque". Bellagio.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2013.