It was with this romance on my mind that I spent the week skulking through some of Sin City’s own self-styled speakeasies. At the back door of Capo’s (“The original Las Vegas speakeasy”), I was checking out some of the restaurant’s old write-ups when a panel suddenly whipped back and a guy suddenly popped his head through like the “Who rang that bell?!” fellow in The Wizard of Oz.
Though not asked for a password, I was grilled just a little for being a reporter before being deemed friend enough to gain entrance. A wall gave way, revealing the mobster-chic restaurant and bar, presided over by friendly chef Jason Underwood (Hell’s Kitchen 4). I happily taught the bartender how to make a Negroni, raved to anyone who would listen about the mushroom risotto, watched Goodfellas and Casino on the flat-screen and listened as Bobby Liguori sang Rat Pack hits. Noir aside, why can’t the Strip feel this good?
Later that week at the second, newer Capo’s location (this one more modern, “throwback chic,” they call it), Colton and I wandered around the low, brown building (formerly Hooters) looking for the entrance marked with just a “C.” In the vestibule, I went straight for the little recessed panel, which again whipped back. “Uh … Nico?” I inquired. Nope. Mikey the Bull would be our host this evening.
I’ll leave some things secret, but let’s just say Colton’s shoulder was not prepared for how we were going to be entering the restaurant. As I perched at the much more modern bar, my Negroni arrived as ordered, no schooling necessary.
Chef/owner Nico Santucci (who built C2K nightclub and Venus back in the day, one of our own nightclub Rat Packers) cut a dashing figure in his spotless black chef’s coat as he visited the tables.
Like Capo’s 1, Capo’s 2 has her secrets, including the intimate card room and the completely hidden, tiny Al Capone room—the very ultimate in private dining, as even the staff might not know you and your date were in there!
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Visit: 5675 W Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV
Visit: 5675 W Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV
The Original Capo's Restaurant & SpeakeasyVisit: 5675 W. Sahara Ave, Las Vegas NV
Visit: 5675 W Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV
Visit: 5675 W Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV
Reso's: 702.364.2276Capo's Twitter: www.twitter.com/CaposRestaurant
Nico's Twitter: www.twitter.com/NicoSantucci
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Blog: www.CaposRestaurant.blogspot.com
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