Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com
Bubbles at Rao’s signature wine tasting at Whole Foods Market.
Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011 | 7:01 p.m.
The door at Rao’s will never be the same. The restaurant’s beloved host, Robert “Bubbles” Ubriaco, passed away Thursday at Desert Springs Hospital at age 65. Ubriaco, who had recently celebrated his birthday, died surrounded by his Rao's family.
Ubriaco was a fixture at the Caesars Palace restaurant. From his post at the front door, Ubriaco greeted VIPs and regular guests, escorted diners to their tables and offered quick jokes and wide smiles to the customers who crossed his path. Always dressed in a dark suit, his presence gave the Italian eatery a dose of the old school, somebody-knows-your-name service and familial atmosphere that helped make the original Rao’s a Manhattan landmark.
The restaurant released an official statement Thursday regarding Ubriaco's death: "We love him. We will miss him. We can never replace him. He brought us more joy than anyone can imagine. We are sure that all who knew him feel the same way. He will be the greatest host heaven has ever seen. Bubbles, all of us at Rao’s wish you peace and joy."
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