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Does anyone but ELV remember Nicky Blair’s? Ole Nicky was quite the SoCal restaurateur — known for catering to the celebs and high-rollers in LaLa land — when he brought his cheesy vibe to Paradise Road in the mid-90’s. For a couple of years the place was hopping with every nouveau riche, Gucci-clad developer, conventioneer and big shot wannabe in town.

At the time (and this was around 1995 if memory serves), yours truly commented that NB’s was the second coming of Chateau Vegas — a place known in the ’70’s and ’80’s for being the haunt of semi-reputable swells and middle-managers of all sorts. (Piero’s corners the market on this crowd these days.)

Well, Nicky’s is back (sort of), and Piero’s should be worried. Because Gino and Mimmo Ferraro have moved their operation to Paradise Road, across from the Hard Rock Hotel, and the joint is jumping with ham-fisted bidness guys, expense-account types and lovers of semi-authentic Eye-talian food.

Concessions to modernity have been made: there’s one of those wine dispensers where you put your card in and pay more for a glass than it’s worth. There’s also a bar menu, nice outdoor seating, and several banquet rooms equipped with the mandatory flat screen.

It’s a smart move for the Ferraro’s. They immediately get greater access to the casino/convention crowds, old time regulars can still find it, and their wine and liquor sales should increase geometrically.

What about the food you ask? We’ll leave that for another time…after we’re done playing chess with grappa-filled crystal chess pieces (see above).

Like we said….classy.

FERRARO’S

4480 Paradise Rd.

Las Vegas, NV 89169

702.364.5300

www.ferraroslasvegas.com