Columnist Jerry Fink: Capozzoli’s is where to hang out for a little Italy

Friday, Nov. 14, 2003 | 8:29 a.m.

In a city not known for embracing longevity, Capozzoli's will celebrate its 15th anniversary with a party and dinner specials Thursday.

The party, which begins around 9 p.m., is being organized by Frank Sinatra impressionist Gary Anthony and will include performances by many entertainers who have made Capozzoli's a popular hangout over the years.

The Italian restaurant is well-liked by locals, who enjoy the food and the entertainment. It has been a staple almost since it opened its doors at 3333 S. Maryland Pkwy. in 1988.

In the beginning, the entertainment was a jukebox.

"We had one of the best Italian jukeboxes in town," said owner Mickey Capozzoli, a native of Detroit.

Gradually, live music took over, and today there are performances almost every night -- jazz with Dennis Melen on Mondays through Wednesdays, pop music by Lou Martinez on Thursdays and Fridays and the big-band sound of Jerry Tiffe on Saturdays.

In this day of cost cutting, Capozzoli and his wife, Ailee, a co-owner, don't mind spending money for entertainment.

"Sure, it costs a lot, but I got the entertainment for the people," he said.

He has received a nice return on the investment. A lot of entertainers drop by to eat, and many end up performing.

"Cook E. Jarr comes in all the time," Capozzoli said.

And Jarr, a knockout performer who entertains at Harrah's Carnaval Court Friday and Saturday nights, often brings in friends such as Tom Jones and Bill Medley.

When Righteous Brother Bobby Hatfield died suddenly of a heart attack in Michigan last week, Capozzoli was stunned. They had become close friends.

"I was so depressed," Capozzoli said. "Bobby was such a sweetheart. I used to go by his house in California. I feel so bad. When I heard he had died I said, 'No, you've gotta be kidding.' "

Among other celebrities who have discovered the restaurant/lounge are Robert Goulet, Danny Gans, Joe Pesci, Lance Burton, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Amazing Johnathan, Clint Holmes and Pat Morita.

"Pat was here a few months ago," Capozzoli said. "He loves the music and the food. Once he came in three times in one day. What a gentleman he is. He got up and sang a song that would make you laugh your (expletive) off.

The place used to be open 24 hours a day, but business fell off after 9-11 and he cut back on the hours -- now it's open from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. on weekends and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. weeknights.

Capozzoli comes from a restaurant family. He grew up in the business. For years his parents ran a restaurant chain called Giuseppi's, with two restaurants in Detroit and seven in California.

But in 1967 Capozzoli decided to put the restaurant business on the back burner and move to Las Vegas.

"I had always wanted to be a craps dealer," he said.

For 20 years Capozzoli worked on craps tables at Aladdin, the now-defunct Maxim and Continental and other casinos. But eventually he returned to his roots.

Capozzoli does most of the cooking, spending up to 12 hours a day or longer in the kitchen. When one of his cooks got sick, he had to fill in.

"I went three months without a day off," Capozzoli said. "One time I went three days that I worked 45 hours. It's a business. What are you gonna do? I don't want to screw up.

"I do everything for the people."

Lounging around

Saturday was a classic night of entertainment at the Bootlegger's lounge.

Host Sonny King, who never seems to age, sang and clowned for a packed house.

Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt, rested after a journey to China, performed.

Legendary singer/comedian Freddie Bell (of Freddie Bell and the Bellboys from the golden age of Las Vegas lounges) did a comic takeoff on Louis Prima, and Prima's daughter, Lena, surprised him by joining in a duet.

Vocalist Carmine yodeled; hyperactive comedian/musician Peter Anthony was -- as always -- a riot.

Jimmy Hopper, who performs at Bellagio's Fontana room, had the crowd in his hands as he sang and played piano.

The evening before (Friday night) Grant Griffin awed the audience with his operatic baritone, and Joey Gian sang his heart out. Gian has a Wednesday night gig at the Bootlegger. If you haven't heard him, he's worth a trip to the south end of Las Vegas Boulevard.

Entertainer Tony Sacca celebrated 18 years with his syndicated show "Entertainment Las Vegas Style" Tuesday night with a party at the Imperial Palace. Among those at the event were "Legends in Concert" producer John Stuart; singer/impressionist Bill Acosta; Buddy Greco and his wife, Lezlie Anders; ventriloquist Ronn Lucas; Monti Rock III and Arlene Gibson (dubbed "The Princess of Las Vegas" by Mayor Oscar Goodman).

Sacca has interviewed more than 200 of some of the most well-known entertainers in the world -- from Milton Berle to Anthony Quinn.

Vocalist Dennis Bono has moved his radio talk/variety show from Sunset Station's Club Madrid to the showroom at Sam's Town. The shows, which are free, are taped at 2 p.m. Thursdays and air at 7 p.m. Fridays on KJUL 104.3-FM.

Bono recently was honored by the Club Italia with a "Merit Achievement Award," given annually by the organization to an Italian-American chosen for his or her personal achievements and for contributions to society in their field of endeavor.