Le Cirque adds casual component to big top

by Joe DiStefano, Posted Apr 19th 2006 @ 12:07PM

When renowned high-end restauranteur Sirio Maccioni reopens Le Cirque in late May, there will be a sideshow of sorts.

Cast aside any worries that he's adding a freak show to his flagship operation. The new attraction at Le Cirque will be one that's been popping up at New York City's temples of fine dining for the past couple of years: a casual component that stands apart from its more rarefied sibling yet shares the same space.

Maccioni joins the ranks of such chefs as Jean-Georges Vongerichten whose eponymous eatery shares a space with the more casual Nougatine and Tom Colicchio whose Gramercy Tavern features a less casual bar area that serves as a gateway to the more formal dining room.

[photo: Eat This New York]

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Tags: east coast, fine dining, FineDining, Gramercy Tavern, GramercyTavern, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Jean-georgesVongerichten, Le Cirque, LeCirque, Nougatine, openings, Sirio Maccioni, SirioMaccioni, Tom Colicchio, TomColicchio