• He owned the famous eatery Le Cirque situated in Manhattan.
• The owner Italian restaurateur Sirio Maccioni expired at the age of 88.
• He was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and a stroke.

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Sirio Maccioni dues, at age 88

Italian restaurateur Sirio Maccioni had opened the famous French restaurant Le Cirque. And it had grown into Manhattan’s most famous landmark and favorite fine dining space for the wealthy and famous people.

Sirio died at his home in Italy. He was 88 and suffering from stroke and Alzheimer’s disease at the time of his death.

Sirio’s son, Mauro told that his father died on Monday 20 April 2020 at the family’s villa in Tuscany. He also talked about the various health issues of his father.

About Le Cirque eatery

The eatery Le Cirque started in 1974. The first location was at the Mayfair hotel. Sirio said in 2000:

“We weren´t really prepared, but the rest is history. We were the first place to be seen that also had good food,”

The restaurant is popular for Grand Marnier souffle and terrines of rabbit rillette. The celebrities who frequented it are Frank Sinatra, actress Brigitte Nielsen, actor Sylvester Stallone, Henry Kissinger, Princess Grace, Bill Blass, President Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton, Diana Ross, socialites Anna Moffo Sarnoff, Christina DeLorean, and Nancy and Ronald Reagan.

In 1997, the restaurant changed place to the New York Palace Hotel. Later, in 2006 it relocated to East 58th Street. It has branches in Las Vegas and Dubai. It filed for bankruptcy in 2017.

In 1987 and later in 1997, the New York Times gave the restaurant a four-star. Whereas, The Times gave it a 2-star in 2006, a 3-star in 2008, and a 1-star in 2012.

Once, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani said that Le Cirque was the city´s most glamorous and hospitable restaurant. The James Beard Foundation gave Sirio a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.

Sirio had said:

“I consider myself a working restaurateur, but I´m proud to be called elite. I encourage all my people to be elite; be an elite dishwasher. Being elite means being the best.”

More about Le Cirque and Sirio’s life

The restaurant has launched the careers of many famous chefs. Sirio was born and grew up in Italy. He had to start work early in his life since his father died in World War II.

He worked in France, Switzerland, and Germany in hotels. And in 1956, he made a move to the United States.

He studied at Hunter college while working to earn a living. He was a married man and his wife is Egidiana. The couple has three children, sons namely Mario, Marco, and Mauro.

Recalling his life, Sirio had said:

“I didn´t do this out of inspiration or desperation. I realized very early that I couldn´t afford to be young. And I did completely give my life to this business. Is it worth it? Maybe not. But I had no choice, and I´ve never felt exploited.”

Source: Daily Mail UK