'The Recession Hit Us Hard,' Says Mario Maccioni

John Curtas, who requested he be referred to as "restaurant critic, restaurant writer, food writer, King of All Las Vegas Food Media, drunken raconteur, gastronomic gadfly....or ANYTHING other than a food blogger," penned a farewell to Mario Maccioni, who's leaving Las Vegas along with Le Cirque and Circo at the Bellagio after almost 15 years.

His plans? He'll "help his brothers expand the Maccioni restaurant empire. He's expecting to open five new restaurants in the coming year, in places as far flung as India and Dubai."

Circo closes next May and now the Bellagio "only want[s] my father to make an occasional appearance at the restaurants."

The toughest challenge he faced after 15 years? "The recession hit us hard? Everything has gotten dumbed down since then. Nobody cares about great service; there's no interest in great food?.or tablecloths anymore."
· Arrivederci Mario Maccioni [Eating Las Vegas]
· All Coverage of Circo [~ELV~]
Mario Maccioni [Photo: Facebook]