Originally launched in 2000, Tocqueville debuted in its new home at 1 Fifth Avenue in February 2006. The original concept came from husband-and-wife team Jo-Ann Mokovitzky and Marco Moreira, founders of Marco Polo Cafe, an offshoot of their highly successful Marco Polo Caterers catering company. When they decided to expand Marco Polo Cafe, they created Tocqueville, which outgrew itself in just a few years. In July 2005, construction therefore commenced on the new Tocqueville, which like the original was designed firsthand by Mokovitzky and Moreira. By February 2006, the new Tocqueville was born and its old residence, at 15 E. 15th St., became the new 15 East, Tocqueville’s sister restaurant. Of course, Marco and Jo-Ann haven't forgotten their first co-venture, Marco Polo Caterers; although they've moved on with fresh creations, their original still lives on inside the new Tocqueville, where it's based.