Why legendary stars and diplomats always came to dinner at the busiest circus in town.
Photo courtesy of Le Cirque
There’s no question Le Cirque will always possess a soft spot in the heart of my palate. Memories of my very first interview at the legendary restaurant lasted five hours. Literally, five hours. After a heartfelt conversation with Marco Maccioni, who now co-owns Le Cirque with his father, Sirio Maccini (in Tuscany at the time of the interview but called in). Then we chatted and devoured every bit of lunch with prosecco and Dover Sole and more deliciousness than one can dream. When we finally concluded with an impromptu but hilarious photoshoot inside its alluring wine aquarium, I knew this restaurant lived up to every bit of hype. I, along with everyone else enjoying a meal there, mattered.
Nostalgic memories seem to be the key to Le Cirque’s longstanding success with many popular clients. Another that lives in my mind has to do with a little lady named Sandy. When the storm hit during autumn of 2013, everywhere in the city was powerless. I made a few phone calls which led to several restaurants opening their doors so I could use their tables as my storm-free office during long days, long hours. My friend Christine, a writer who I was staying with, met with me at Le Cirque. We drank the storm away with delicious cocktails created by Billy while working vigorously away on our laptops.
With 3,500+ restaurants listed in Manhattan and more than 200 new ones attempting to battle the gastro game every year, few iconic institutions such as Le Cirque has proven to stand the test of time. With a well balanced combination of modernization and a star-studded list of VIP clients since 1974, Le Cirque beautifies the harmony of past and present. Even just a glimpse back at who came to dinner is a better source of our cultural movement than flipping through a pop culture textbook.
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Le Cirque is one of those restaurants where everyone has an absolute favorite dinner dish. Mine, hands down, has to be the lobster risotto. Creamy, sweet, with freshness from the sea. Donald Trump loves the pasta primavera while Robert De Niro is a huge fan of the signature stove of chocolates. Today’s Le Cirque remains historic, cool with immense elegance. Marco Maccioni’s wife came up with the brilliant idea: Musical Monday, a casual but stylish New York night of live jazz at the home of the city’s most renowned circus. Just like flutes of champagne in Paris, Jazz and New York has always paired superbly together. Add Le Cirque into the mix, the ultimate Manhattan experience has been completed in a perfect circle.
Recently, I arranged for my family to dine at Le Cirque Bellagio in Las Vegas. Since I couldn’t be there in person, exquisite coordination with the restaurant was a must. As expected, service was impeccable while the gastronomical experience took everyone’s palates and minds on a wondrous journey courtesy of chef Paul Lee, a fellow Taiwanese and a brilliant Michelin starred chef.
This is it, the top reason why Le Cirque isn’t simply a global landmark but one that stands still in my heart. That time when Sirio shared with me the importance of traveling and learning different languages, those nights when my girlfriends and I would be famished after an event then run to Le Cirque for a late night pig out session, and the way my family felt after a fantastic meal despite my absence. These are the same reasons why legendary starlets and diplomats always came to dinner at the busiest circus in town, because Le Cirque always knows who’s coming to dinner and we’ve always mattered.
* Photos are from A Table At Le Cirque, get your copy here.
