La Bella Cucina

The latest restaurant to grace the iconic Pierre Hotel, part of the Taj Hotel Group, is Sirio, from legendary restaurateur Sirio Maccioni, best known for Le Cirque. But unlike Le Cirque, Sirio Ristorante is a casual, yet sophisticated eatery with to-die-for cheeseburgers (with Fontina cheese) on the lunch menu and Tuscan-inspired dishes for dinner. The restaurant's décor, renovated by hospitality interior designer Adam Tihany, was inspired by Fellini's film La Dolce Vita of Italy in the 1950s and 1960s. This Fellini-esque décor uses warm tones with black and white images of Italy adorning its walls. Along with the impeccable service and some of the best selection of Italian wines in New York, Sirio Ristorante is a throwback to old-world Italy in a glamorous setting.

The cuisine combines both contemporary and traditional dishes, all inspired by Tuscany. The menu offers a variety of pastas and appetizers; all were served up to perfection the night we were there. You'll see monogrammed plates (as also seen in Le Cirque) and the same gracious service you would expect from such a renowned restaurateur.

Antipasti dishes include platters of cured meats, Buffalo Mozzarella and Venison Carpaccio. There's a caviar menu and a chef's tasting menu not to be missed. The pasta dishes range from a delicious Pappardelle with a Lamb Ragu to a squid ink Risotto. Suffice to say the pasta dishes were outstanding and were the highlight of the meal. Entrees are exceptional as well, but more expected. For meat lovers, be sure to order the Veal Chop or for the seafood-obsessed try the Mediterranean Branzino with a side of the Rosemary Garlic Tuscan Potatoes. There's a brunch menu that offers baked eggs, pizzas and pastas along with a cocktail menu offering Bloody Marys and Bellinis.

The diners here will remind you of a jetsetter crowd, those who love the finer things in life. Sirio Ristorante brings together an older NYC society crowed mixed with a younger and hip crowd, offering some great people watching. The bar is a great place to stop in for a glass of wine where you'll be sure to strike up an entertaining conversation with a fellow patron. It's a mod atmosphere that Sirio infuses with memories of his youth, both in his dishes and décor. Sirio Ristorante New York is the restaurateur's seventh restaurant and third in New York City and hopefully there will be more to come from this talented man.

Sirio Ristorante
795 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10065
212.940.8195
siriony.com