Bio

Born in Brazil and originally trained as a sushi chef, Marco Moreira, chef-proprietor of Tocqueville and 15 East, has cooked at Bouley, the Mark and the Quilted Giraffe. He and his wife/business partner, Jo-Ann Makovitzky, ran a catering company, Marco Polo Caterers, before opening Marco Polo Café.

Eight years ago they opened Tocqueville and since then, Chef Moreira has become widely recognized for his close relationship with the Union Square Greenmarket. The contemporary French-American cuisine showcases both local and exotic seasonal ingredients. Tocqueville has received consistent praise from critics, receiving two stars from the New York Times in 2000 and again in 2006. Tocqueville has been rated by the Zagat Survey as one of New York's Top Restaurants, and also been rated “Top French” and “Top Service.”

Besides being busy creating the French American specialties that won him praise from critics, Chef Moreira was busy expanding the business. He and his wife moved Tocqueville to a new location at 1 East 15th Street and transformed the original space into a modern Japanese restaurant, 15 East, which opened in January 2007. The restaurant received two stars from the New York Times in 2007 and continues to deserve constant praise.Moreira and Makovitzky continue to work together to deliver seasonal French-inspired contemporary American and Japanese cuisine, and New Yorkers continue to appreciate their highly acclaimed restaurants.