Julian Niccolini

Julian Niccolini is an Italian-American restaurateur who co-owned the now defunct Four Seasons Restaurant in New York City.[1][2]

Early life

Niccolini was born in Lucca, Italy. One of his early jobs was at the Hôtel de Paris in Monaco. Niccolini moved to New York City in 1975.[2]

Career

Niccolini joined the Four Seasons Restaurant in 1977 and quickly became its public face.[3][4] In 1994, he and Alex von Bidder became its primary operating partners.[4] Niccolini created a club-like dining room at the restaurant named the "Grill Room", where patrons conducted business during lunch, although he remarked that "everybody [in the room] claims to be serious, but they are actually having fun."[5][6] Niccolini was forced to resign from the Four Seasons Restaurant in December 2018 over accusations of sexual misconduct.[4]

Niccolini has been nominated for seven James Beard Awards, winning three.[7] He has also had parts in several movies, including Inside Man (2006), Arbitrage (2012) and Self/less (2015).[8]

Personal life

Niccolini is an avid cyclist and dog lover. He practiced beekeeping at his home in Bedford, New York.[9]

In June 2015, Niccolini was charged with the sexual abuse of a 28-year-old woman at the Four Seasons Restaurant.[10] In March 2016, he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault, admitting that he had "put his hands on the woman, causing scratches and bruises to her hip and thigh".[11]

References

  1. ^ Fabricant, Florence (June 7, 2019). "The Four Seasons Is Closing, Less Than a Year After Reopening". The New York Times. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Hung, Wendy (April 23, 2013). "Four Seasons Restaurant: Where Movers & Shakers Power Lunch". Jetset Times. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  3. ^ "Restaurateur has 'Roberto Benigni moment'". The Free Lance–Star. June 5, 1999. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
  4. ^ a b c Stevens, Matt; Mervosh, Sarah; Chow, Andrew R. (December 17, 2018). "Julian Niccolini, Face of the Four Seasons Restaurant, Is Forced to Resign". The New York Times. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  5. ^ Fink, Mitchell (September 2002). "The Never-Ending Power Lunch". Cigar Aficionado. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  6. ^ Landman, Beth (April 26, 2009). "112 Minutes with the Four Seasons Co-owner Julian Niccolini". New York. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
  7. ^ "Julian Niccolini". James Beard Foundation. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  8. ^ "Julian Niccolini". IMDb. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  9. ^ Niccolini, Julian (March 2, 2013). "Julian Niccolini". The Wall Street Journal (Interview). Interviewed by Jackie Cooperman. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  10. ^ McKinley, James C. Jr.; Goodman, J. David (June 3, 2015). "Co-Owner of Four Seasons Restaurant Is Charged With Sexual Abuse". The New York Times. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  11. ^ McKinley, James C. Jr. (March 24, 2016). "Julian Niccolini, Co-Owner of Four Seasons Restaurant, Pleads Guilty to Misdemeanor Assault". The New York Times. Retrieved October 29, 2017.