
The gourmet-purveying Maccioni family tradition extends to its second generation — Mario, Marco and Mauro — to provide even more irresistible passion for your palate. Lovingly inspired by matriarch, Egidiana Maccioni, upscale Tuscan fare takes center stage in the capricious surroundings overlooking Lago di Como. Further enliven your taste buds with the finest of 900 distinguished wine selections, imported from all around the world.
(Partial menu only)
Frutti di Mare
Three Oysters, Two Jumbo Shrimp, Maine Lobster, Traditional Sauces
Gran Piatto Royal con Frutti di Mare (For Two)
Six Oysters, Four Jumbo Prawns, Half Maine Lobster, Tuna Tartar, Crab Salad, Traditional Sauces
Piatto di Ostriche
Half Dozen Seasonal Oysters, Classic Cocktail, Mignonette Sauce
Caviale Russo
Golden Oscetra Caviar, Classic Condiments
Cocktail di Gamberoni
5 Piece Shrimp Cocktail Accompanied with Traditional Sauces
Mista di Campo
Organic Field Greens, Red Wine Shallot Vinaigrette, Shaved Parmigiano Reggiano
Insalata Romana in Bagna Cauda, Crostoni, Parmigiano Reggiano
Romaine Lettuce, "Bagna Cauda" Dressing, Croutons, Parmesan Cheese
Rughetta, Riccia, Indivia e Mele, Vinaigrette allo Champagne, Noci Caramellate, Crostino al Gorgonzola
Spring Salad Mix, Champagne Vinagrette, Gala Apples, Caramelized Walnuts, Gorgonzola Crostino
Mozzarella di Bufala e Pomodori alla Campana, Peperoni Arrostiti, Aceto Balsamico
Buffalo Mozzarella & Vine Ripe Tomatoes, Roasted Bell Peppers, Basil, Balsamic Syrup
Salumi e Formaggi Misti con Bruschetta
Assortment of Traditional Tuscan Antipasto
Tagliata di Tonno, Spicchi d'Arancio, Fagiolini, Finocchi e Riccia, Tapenade d'Olive Nere
Slice Rare Ahi Tuna, Orange Segments, Green Beans, Fennel & Frisée Salad, Olive Tapenade
Frittura di Calamari, Gamberetti, Carciofi e Asparagi, Aioli Piccante al Limone, Coulis di Peperoni
Deep Fried Battered Shrimp, Calamari , Artichokes & Asparagus, Spicy Lemon Aioli, Bell Pepper Coulis
Carpaccio di Carne Salata alla Trentina, Fave, Rughetta Olio Agrumato, Scaglie di Pecorino
House Cured Beef Carpaccio, Fava Beans, Arugula, Lemon Olive Oil, Pecorino Cheese Shavings
Lombetto di Coniglio Ripieno con Salsiccia, Purea di Pisellini, Carotine, Cipollotti, Olio Tartufato
Rabbit Loin Stuffed with Sausage, Sweet Pea Puree, Baby Carrots, Cipollini Onions, Black Truffle Oil
La Margherita
San Marzano Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella Cheese & Basil
Pizza Preziosa
Porcini Mushroom, Mozzarella Cheese, Prosciutto, Arugula, Parmigiano Reggiano & Truffle Oil
Pizza con Salsiccia Toscana e Peperoni Arrostiti
Tomato Sauce, Homemade Tuscan Sausage & Roasted Bell Pepper
Pizza alla Crema Bianca con Salmone Affumicato di Norvegia e Caviale
Norwegian Smoked Salmon, Onions, Capers, Creme Fraiche & American Caviar
Pizza ai Crostacei con Asparagi Arrostiti
Lobster, Crab & Shrimp Pizza, Crème Fraiche, Roasted Asparagus
Zuppa alla Frantoiana
Tuscan Vegetable & Bean Soup with Fettunta
Tagliatelle di Pasta Fresca al Pomodoro e Basilico
Tagliatelle with Fresh Tomato Sauce & Basil
Ravioli di Ricotta e Spinaci alla Moda di 'Mamma Egi'
Egi's Ravioli of Sheep's Milk Ricotta, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Butter Sage Sauce
Penne con Gamberi, Pinoli Tostati, Pomodorini di Pachino, Salsa al Brandy
Penne Pasta & Prawns in Brandy Sauce, Cherry Tomatoes, Toasted Pine Nuts
Pici Toscani alla Bolognese, Pecorino Stagionato
Hand Rolled Thick Spaghetti, Bolognese Sauce, Aged Pecorino Cheese
Tortelloni d'Anatra alle Erbette, Sugo d'Arrosto, Verdurine, Parmigiano in Scaglie
Duck Filled Tortelloni Sautéed in Butter, Herbs & Vegetable Confetti, Demi Glace, Parmigiano Reggiano Shavings $19/$29
Lasagnetta di Verdure al Pesto di Basilico, Fonduta di Fontina Piemontese al Pomodoro
Vegetables Lasagnetta "Primavera", Basil Pesto, Tomato Fontina Cheese Fonduta
Cacciuco del Circo con Crostone all'Aglio
Tuscan Octopus and Calamari Stew with Clams, Mussels, Shrimp & Monkfish
Alibut e Mazzancolla Arrosto, Guazzetto di Pomodori e Capperi, Porri Brasati, Patate allo Zafferano
Pan Seared Halibut Filet & Prawn in Tomato Caper "Guazzetto", Braised Leeks & Saffron Potatoes
Salmone Arrosto in Crosta di Patate, Rapini all'Aglio e Olio, Vellutata al Rafano
Pan Roasted King Salmon Wrapped in Potato Vermicelli, Sautéed Broccoli Rabe, Horseradish Sauce
Branzino alla Griglia, Finocchi Brasati, Pomodorini, Salsa Salmoriglio
Grilled Mediterranean Sea Bass, Braised Fennel, Cherry Tomatoes, Shaved Zucchini, Salsa "Salmoriglio"
Astice al Burro e Aglio Arrosto, Mezzelune agli Zucchini, Salsa di Crostacei
Maine Lobster in Butter & Roasted Garlic, Zucchini Filled Half Moon Ravioli, Crustacean Sauce
Filetto di Manzo Grigliato, Gorgonzola Fusa, Salsa di Vino Rosso all'Aglio, Patate Schiacciate, Asparagi in Prosciutto
Grilled 10oz Beef Tenderloin, Melted Gorgonzola Cheese, Crushed Yukon Gold Potatoes, Asparagus Wrapped in Prosciutto, Red Wine Garlic Sauce
Carre di Agnello in Crosta di Pecorino e Timo con la Peperonata di Mamma Egi
Rack of Lamb Crusted in Pecorino and Thyme, Mamma Egi's Peperonata
Costoletta di Vitello Arrosto, Crema di Spinaci, Salsa ai Finferli, Cipolle Fritte
Roasted 12 oz Veal Chop, Creamy Spinach, Chanterelle Mushroom Sauce, Fried Onions
Filetto di Maialino in Prosciutto, Uva Passa Macerata in Grappa, Purea di Cavolfiori e Pinoli
Roasted Pork Tenderloin Wrapped in Prosciutto, Cauliflower, Pine Nuts, Golden Raisins Macerated in Grappa
Suprema di Pollo Farcita ai Funghi Porcini, Salsa d'Arrosto, Biete Spadellate
Pan Roasted Chicken Breast Stuffed with Porcini Mushrooms, White Wine Sauce, Sautéed Swiss Chard
Quaglie Grigliate, "Farrotto" ai Funghi e Parmigiano, Germogli di Rucola, Salsa al Mosto d'Uva
Grilled Jumbo Quails, Wild Mushroom & Parmesan "Farrotto", Micro Arugula, Vincotto Sauce
Please Be Advised of a $3 Split Charge on All Main Courses
Clearly a love of the restaurant world runs in the Maccioni family. Today, the three high-energy Maccioni sons (Mario, Marco and Mauro) are immersed in the business, just like their parents, and the family recently opened Osteria del Circo (Circus Tavern), a fun, young and dynamic spot at 120 West 55th Street. The immediate success of Circo has done Sirio, the father, proud.
Opened in 1996, Osteria del Circo is another creation of Mr. Maccioni and his wife, who is the supervising chef and their sons, who are the ringmasters, hosts and owners of Circo.
Designed by Adam D. Tihany to be as exciting as a European carnival tent, the colorful décor of Circo is innovative, whimsical and vibrant. But, unlike a circus tent, the restaurant is comfortable, the fabrics luxurious and the custom-designed Italian chairs deep and seductive.
Yet walk through the door of this inviting room and you will know immediately that no matter how playful the décor, the menu is decidedly serious. Draw a deep breath and the intoxicating fragrance of fresh herbs, roasting meats and robust sauces immediately whets the appetite. Then sit down in one of those comfortable chairs and have a plate full of flash seared beef carpaccio with an aromatic herb crust, arugula salad in "Limoncella" dressing and shaved parmigiano. Or, grilled rare yellow fin tuna with cannellini beans, sweet red onions and basil-infused extra virgin olive oil. Or, maybe gnocchi di patate with shrimp and black truffle ragu and oven roasted tomatoes. Or, how about Fiorentina sliced T-bone steak served with cannelini beans, seasonal mushrooms and oven baked tomatoes?
Such dishes, a blend of Mrs. Maccioni's traditional home cooking and an array of superb ingredients, are prepared with consummate skill by Chef de Cuisine Enzo Secci suggest the sumptuous feast Osteria del Circo will bring to the table.
Combine such food with the Maccioni charm - "We will continue with Papa Sirio's heritage of hospitality," say Mauro, Mario and Marco - and you have a restaurant that promises to be exceptional.