When you are looking to impress a lover with discerning taste, take cues from Sirio Maccioni the owner of Le Cirque and his executive chef, Christophe Bellanca--the masterminds behind the magic of the legendary New York restaurant that has built a reputation on offering a dining experience filled with opulence and pure indulgence.

"Le Cirque has always been a place where the worlds of food, fashion, art and culture collide", says Mr. Maccioni, who has wined and dined high-society in New York for nearly half a century.

So with full enthusiasm and ready to surrender to indulgence, I happily open the door to the James Beard House for a dinner with Christophe Bellanca to pamper my palate. And as you can see in the slide show below...each dish was bold, beautiful and done to perfection.


Hors d'Oeuvre

Lamb Roulades

Chicken Satay

Lobster Tarts

Branzino Tartare

Champagne Ruinart Blanc de Blancs NV

Dinner

Tuna Tataki with Marinated Vegetables, Miso Gelée, and Celeriac Blancmange
Trimbach Cuvée Frédéric-Emile Riesling 2001

Foie Gras Ravioli with Green Cabbage Marmalade and Black Truffle Emulsion
Trimbach Cuvée Frédéric-Emile Riesling 2001

Langoustine with Mixed Asian Vegetables and Coconut-Lemongrass Jus
Newton Red Label Chardonnay 2005

Chilean Sea Bass with Osetra Caviar, Leeks, Honshimeji Mushrooms, and Champagne Sauce
Newton Red Label Chardonnay 2005

Walnut-Crusted Squab Breast and Squab Leg Confit with Lentil Ragoût and Prune Beignet
Rocca di Frassinello Le Sughere di Frassinello 2004

Crêpes Suzette
Il Pollenza Pius IX Mastai 2004
Château Suduiraut Sauternes 1995

Le Cirque is located at the Courtyard of One Beacon Court
151 East 58th Street, between Lexington and Third Avenue
212.644.0202