Friday, Dec. 26, 2003 | 8:45 a.m.
Jerry Fink's lounge column appears on Fridays. Reach him at [email protected] at (702) 259-4058.
It isn't the Metropolitan, but Giovanni Mauro couldn't be more proud of the new venue where he can indulge his passion for singing opera.
The 30-year-old restaurateur, whose family owns Nora's Cuisine at 6020 W. Flamingo Road, has spent two years planning to expand the popular Italian eatery so that it will include a lounge.
Giovanni's dream came true last week, when Nora's, whose dining room is 2,400 square feet, opened a 1,500-square-foot bar area.
For now, the bar serves 60 varieties of wine. When the restaurant's liquor license is approved, the owners say hopefully in mid-January, spirits will be added to the liquor menu.
Before the expansion, on Friday and Saturday nights Giovanni would move a few tables around in the dining area to make room for a three-piece band, which entertained late-night guests.
The band also provided backup for Giovanni's opera solos -- a treat for everyone -- and for guests who liked to perform during the open-mike sessions.
The entertainment area now is in the lounge, which includes a 24-foot bar, sofas, love seats and a few dining tables.
Keyboardist Joe Darro, whose combo includes drummer Jim Horejsi and bass player John Monetti, is happy with the move.
"This will give us a great place to create a late-night thing, just for people who want to come into the bar, have a drink and listen to the music," Darro said. "People can hang out and not interfere with the diners."
Nora's has been a popular place for some entertainers to hang out late at night ever since Giovanni added music two years ago. (He wanted to sing from time to time during the evenings in between waiting on customers.)
The cast of "Tony & Tina's Wedding," a dinner theater production at The Rio, drop by after the weekend performances and unwind.
Giovanni says for now he will continue offering entertainment only on Fridays and Saturdays, from 10:30 p.m. until 1 a.m.
If demand warrants, he says he could increase the number of nights.
You won't find any flair bartenders in the lounge, only professionals who take pride in their work.
"There's no difference between a chef and a bartender," the 30-year-old Giovanni said. "Bartenders are chefs of drinks.
"They make incredible creations with liquids. There is no difference. Our vision is to serve great drinks. We've put together a team passionate about drinks, just as our chefs are passionate about food. We have people working behind the bar with incredible bartending experience."
Mauro's brother, Marcello, is the general manager of Nora's.
"A lot of times the entertaining bartenders are more concerned about juggling and dancing than making quality drinks," Marcello said. "They are more concerned about flipping the bottle in the air than pouring the perfect amount for a drink."
Marcello says that even when the restaurant begins selling hard liquor, there will continue to be a focus on wine.
"We want people to know that we care about wine," he said. "We serve the best we can serve, at exactly the right temperature and in the right glass."
The 60 varieties of wine come from around the world, from South Africa to Northern California, but the majority is from Italy -- and most of the Italian wine is imported from Sicily, where their parents, Nora and Gino, immigrated from.
"We're focusing on southern Italian wine, specifically from Sicily, which is the largest producer of wine in the largest wine-producing country in the world," Giovanni said.
Giovanni says the expansion of his wine selection at the restaurant, and the creation of a lounge from where he can sing, satisfies his three main interests in life.
"My passions are food, wine and opera," he said. "But now, with the new bar, I may add mixed drinks to the list -- anything that has to do with the palate is my cup of tea."
Lounging around
Vocalist/percussionist Lou Martinez, who performs at Capozzoli's Thursday and Friday nights, has added Cafe Nicolle (4760 W. Sahara Ave.) to his gig list. He and his band play for dancers from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturdays.
Last week the group included drummer Conrad Csogl, keyboardist Billy Nunn, guitarist/vocalist Rico Porteillo and Scott Sanford on sax, flute and keyboards.
Veteran Vegas restaurateur Jim Giamietro opened the Chianti Cafe, 2895 N. Green Valley Parkway. There is entertainment Friday and Saturday evenings in the venue's lounge.
Elvis would have been 69 years old on Jan. 8. The Cannery and KOOL 93.1 FM will host a three-day tribute to The King.
Beginning at 2 p.m. Thursday, Elvis expert Stephen Christopher will discuss the performer on KOOL, and at 7 p.m. he takes his show to the Cannery for "An Evening with Elvii," which will include an Elvis karaoke contest.
At 8 p.m. on Jan. 9 and Saturday tribute artist Paul Casey will perform the "American Trilogy" at the Cannery.
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