Le Cirque - A Truly Unparalleled Dining Experience!

In Manhattan for a couple of days, we finally got around do dining at what is possibly New York's most renowned restaurant - Le Cirque.
Fortunately, our tariff was only a fraction of what it might have been since we enjoyed Le Cirque during New York Restaurant Week (actually three weeks this year) and we experienced a marvelous three-course meal.
Le Cirque has certainly earned its prestigious status.
In 1974, Italian Sirio Maccione opened what was destined to become a New York landmark – Le Cirque, which literally translates as “the circus” in French, at the Mayfair Hotel. In 1997, Le Cirque outgrew its original location and relocated to a larger space in the New York Palace Hotel under the name Le Cirque 2000. By 2004, Le Cirque was an established New York City landmark and decided to move to the prestigious Bloomberg Building on East 58th Street and finally opened its doors in May of 2006.
It was here, in this dramatic setting that we were introduced to Le Cirque.
Although over the years, monkeys, circus balls and tent shades have become symbolic representations of the restaurant, but Le Cirque’s most recognizable feature is Sirio Maccioni himself. Staying very much a family-owned business, all three of Sirio’s sons-- Mario, Marco and Mauro-- followed in their father’s footsteps and can be seen working at Le Cirque’s flagship and its other locations and sister restaurants. .
Le Cirque and Sirio Maccioni have helped launch the careers of many illustrious chefs – Daniel Boulud, David Bouley, Terrance Brennan, Alain Sailhac, Rick Moonen, Jacques Torres, Sottha Khun, Sylvain Portay, Christophe Bellanca, Michael Lomonaco, Alain Allegretti, Pierre Schaedelin, Bill Telepan, Alex Stratta and Geoffrey Zakarian to name a few.
In January of 2012, Le Cirque’s current chef, Olivier Reginensi, joined this impressive team of culinary legends.
For over 38 years, Le Cirque has offered an unparalleled dining experience earning its place on New York’s gastronomical landscape. Here guests can enjoy a modern, circus themed dining room, where the food is just as exciting to the palate as it is a feast to the eyes.
Le Cirque also offers a more casual café featuring a seasonal prix fixe menu and outstanding wines offered by the glass.
The 16,000 square-foot restaurant, designed by Adam Tihany and architect Costas Kondylis, features a main dining room with a giant, abstract “big top” light shade, a separate bar area available for special events (Egi), and a private event mezzanine (Stella) suspended above the bar. The all glass bar is a force within itself, serving as a commanding architectural element anchoring the 65 seat bar-wine lounge and balancing the custom designed 27-foot kaleidoscope wine tower.

Our $38 prix fixe dinner at Le Cique was a joy.

After our Bellinitini (the traditional peach/champagne delight as a vodka martini) we began our meal with an icy, pureed gazpacho soup consisting of tomatoes, cucumber,‍ avocado and creme fraiche -- zesty without being too spicy.

The we chose the seared Chatham cod “Sicilian style” with eggplant puree, campari, tomatoes, and caramelized olives. An ample portion of cod, mellow and beautifully dressed. We also enjoyed the grilled Atlantic salmon with bagna cauda, grilled summer vegetables, tomato jam and red watercress. This was among the best salmon creations we've ever had.

We supplemented our meal with pommes frites (a $6 additional charge).

Finally, we dove into the chocolate fondant with dolce de‍ leche ice cream and the mixed berry clafoutis
with toasted almonds and vanilla ice cream. Perfection!
BTW: Do we have to tell you that the service at Le Cirque is exceptional? From the moment you arrive, you will be treated like the most important person who ever patronized this hallowed dining establishment. Le Cique is an oasis of old world manners, attentive service and civility in a harsh and sometimes dangerous world. Fine china, sparkling glassware, crisp white tablecloths and linens and glistening silverware are the norm here. The staff members are perfectly attired. And you're expected to look as good as the environment. So, be forewarned: You must dress accordingly. Jackets are required for men and ties are preferred. Ladies, if you don't know how you're supposed to look when you arrive at Le Cirque, you've got some homework to do.

Now, back to the food. The photos below show the dishes exactly as served.

Photos copyright 2013 by Dan Cirucci.