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Le Cirque

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Le Cirque
Map
Interactive map of Le Cirque
Restaurant information
Established1974; 52 years ago (1974)
Closed2018; 8 years ago (2018)
OwnerMaccioni Family
Food typeFrench
Dress codeFormal
Location151 East 58th Street in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, New York, 10022, United States
Websitelecirque.com

Le Cirque is a French restaurant that had several locations throughout the New York City borough of Manhattan from 1974 to 2018. The New York location is closed, with its future status unknown. Other locations in Dubai and India remain operational.

New York City history

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Le Cirque was established in 1974 by Italian Sirio Maccioni and continued to be run by the family to 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. 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] In 1997, it reopened as Le Cirque 2000 at the Palace Hotel, where it remained a hotspot to 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 filed for bankruptcy in March 2017, but promised to stay open.[17] However, 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.[18] Its future plans were unknown as of 2021 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the restaurant industry[19] and the 2020 death of founder Sirio Maccioni.

Other locations

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As of 2026, there are Le Cirque locations in Dubai and three Indian locations: New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore.

Their lower-end sister brand Circo has a location in Abu Dhabi and at the Ritz Carlton in Dubai. The Dallas location closed.[18] The Las Vegas location ceased operations after its final dinner service on August 23, 2026.[20]

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 Rosner, Helen (October 11, 2017). "What Le Cirque Will Be Remembered For". The New Yorker. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  2. ↑ Cuozzo, Steve (October 17, 2017). "A final goodbye to the legendary celeb haven Le Cirque". New York Post. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  3. 1 2 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.
  4. ↑ Merwin, Hugh (January 13, 2014). "Sirio Maccioni Named Beard Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree for 2014". Grub Street.
  5. ↑ "Chef Daniel Boulud: Biography". DanielNYC.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2008.
  6. 1 2 Reichl, Ruth (October 29, 1993). "Restaurants". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  7. ↑ Chung, Jen (June 14, 2004). "Cirque du Sirio". Gothamist. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Jason Kallert Carries the Le Cirque Torch". Grub Street. February 27, 2008. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  9. ↑ "A 'Clean, Elegant' Lamb Trio at Le Cirque". Grub Street. October 5, 2007. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  10. 1 2 Fabricant, Florence (November 17, 2008). "Craig Hopson Takes Over at Le Cirque". The New York Times.
  11. 1 2 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.
  12. ↑ "Le Cirque, Manhattan - Restaurant Menus and Reviews". Zagat.com. Archived from the original on August 26, 2012.
  13. ↑ Bruni, Frank (February 6, 2008). "In Defense of Decadence". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 5, 2008. Retrieved February 24, 2008.
  14. ↑ DeLucia, Matt (June 2006). "The return of Sirio and Le Cirque to New York". New York Restaurant Insider.
  15. ↑ "Project Le Cirque". Tihany Design. Archived from the original on February 7, 2009.
  16. ↑ "Le Cirque: A Table In Heaven". HBO. Archived from the original on February 5, 2009.
  17. ↑ Dai, Serena (March 27, 2017). "Le Cirque Files for Bankruptcy, But Plans to Stay Open". NY Eater. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  18. 1 2 Tuder, Stefanie (August 19, 2019). "Legendary Le Cirque Is Back, But Only for Pricey Events on a Yacht". Eater NY. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  19. ↑ Chaffin, Joshua (March 19, 2020). "Coronavirus brings down a New York restaurant empire". Financial Times. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  20. ↑ Vannoy, Jenelle (April 13, 2026). "Le Cirque at Bellagio to close after nearly 30 years". 8NewsNow.com.
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