www.privateairny.com
Private Air New York | Winter 2014/2015
65
SIRIO MACCIONI:
A CULINARY
LEGACY
By: Carrie Buckle
Simply elegant and fine cuisine is what is created in
each of Sirio Maccioni's restaurants around the world.
The tradition of excellence continues
DINING
When you have entertained everyone from Pope John
Paul II to Andy Warhol, you can afford to rest on your
laurels. But not legendary restaurateur Sirio Maccioni; At
82, he still arrives every morning before the customers at
his famed Le Cirque flagship in Midtown Manhattan and
he is the last to leave at night. He is always impeccably
dressed, holding court near the entrance six days a week.
"I respect everybody, but I don't believe everybody," smiles
Maccioni, speaking in his native Tuscan accent, sitting in
a leather chair in the restaurant that is celebrating its 40th
anniversary this year.
It is a rainy afternoon when we meet and Maccioni is
looking even more dapper than usual, in a blue pinstripe
suit. is is because he is heading straight from the
restaurant to meet new Italian Prime Minister Matteo
Renzi at a reception at the Italian consulate at 6 p.m. is
is just an ordinary day in the extraordinary life of Maccioni
who rose from a modest upbringing in the Tuscan town of
Montecatini to becoming one of the world's most renowned
restaurateurs. His modern take on French and Italian cuisine
has transformed the New York dining scene. As well a Le
Cirque, there is Sirio Ristorante at e Pierre, A Taj Hotel
in the city. Today Maccioni's empire includes ten restaurants
in places as far flung as New Delhi, the Dominican
Republic, Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi, the location of the
most recent Circo restaurant outpost.
