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Private Air New York | Winter 2014/2015
66
DINING
Yet it is Maccioni's flagship in New York,
designed by longtime collaborator Adam
Tihany that captures Maccioni's glittering
career trajectory since he broke out on his
own in 1974. Prior to that he was maître d'
of society restaurant, e Colony Club. Cast
your eye over Le Cirque and you'll see black
and white photos of famous guests such
as Robert De Niro, Sophia Loren, Woody
Allen, Ronald Reagan, and Jimmy Carter.
"We've had all the Presidents, the Pope,
Andy Warhol, we've had everyone,"
Maccioni says, adding that he's not
impressed by celebrity or money. His
favorite president was Jimmy Carter: "He
was the most intelligent, with a sense
of humor," he says. When asked about
Warhol, Maccioni says: "A great man.
Honest. He didn't talk much." And Frank
Sinatra? "A true Sicilian, very strong. Some
people it's better to be on their side than
against them." Maccioni lights up when
talking about Pope John Paul II. "I found
out that he spoke 15 languages perfectly
and most of the politicians, they don't even
speak English well," he smiles.
When Le Cirque first opened at its original
location at the Mayfair Hotel, Maccioni's
vision was clear. "I already knew exactly
what I wanted to do. at's why I opened
20 years later than I should have done," says
Maccioni of the French eatery. "ere was
nobody around that knew what food was all
about. I wanted to cook simple food better
than anyone else." What was the biggest
challenge? "Everything. Keeping customers
happy, making food that tastes good,"
he says.
ABOVE: Young Sirio in Italy and
Sirio as Maited at La Foret
OPPOSITE: e Macconi Family and
Sirio Maccioni and Michael Bloomberg
