Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005 | 9:38 a.m.
When Kim and Frank Rocco Sorano took over ownership of Capozzoli's on Oct. 27, they bought more than a restaurant they bought the heritage that goes along with it. Good food. Good entertainment. Good friends.
The Italian dining room has been a popular gathering place almost since the day Mickey Capozzoli first opened the doors in 1988.
You never knew who was going to walk through those doors Tom Jones, Steve and Eydie, Joe Pesci, the Righteous Brothers and other celebrities and countless regulars who enjoyed the warmth.
There was nightly entertainment, provided by up-and-coming performers as well as old-timers who created an atmosphere reminiscent of the way Las Vegas used to be.
The Soranos picked up on the good vibes the first time they visited Capozzoli's after reading the "for sale" ad in the paper in March.
"When we pulled up to the front, it was not that impressive," Frank Sorano, a New York native, said. "But when we walked in, it was like My God! Wow!'"
Kim Sorano said, "When we sat down we felt so at home it felt right, like so much good karma. It felt right from the moment we walked through the door."
But from the time the couple made the offer until the deal was closed took almost seven months.
The restaurant and lounge has not been as busy as it once was, but the Soranos are determined to return it to its glory days.
Frank Sorano spends up to 17 hours a day there; Kim Sorano is there eight to 10 hours a day.
Family members are helping them take care of their three children Dalton, 12; Frank III, 7 1/2; and Anthony, 19 months while the Soranos get the res-taurant operating smoothly.
"The only thing I feel badly about is the children, but this is only temporary," Kim Sorano said.
It used to be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week with entertainment every night. But business fell off, as it did at many places, after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and the hours were cut.
The Soranos say they hope to get back to 24-hour days within six months. At the time of the sale, entertainment was only Thursdays through Saturdays.
They already have bumped up entertainment to seven nights a week.
Every Saturday the legendary Jerry Tiffy performs; Sunday night drummer Benny Bennet has an engagement with his five-piece band; Tuesdays and Fridays, crooner Larry Liso entertains; and at 10:30 p.m. Thursdays it's the rock band Slow Children.
Ron Ellington Shy, nephew of the late Duke Ellington, performs most Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays.
"Entertainment is part of the ambiance," Kim Sorano said. "I don't think this restaurant is the same place without it it has that old Vegas feel."
The place had not been as busy as it once was when the Soranos took over, but they hope to return it to its glory days.
"There has been a steady increase in business," Kim Sorano said.
The Soranos recognize the need for personal, friendly service and go out of their way to make their customers feel at ease.
"I want them to know us," Frank Sorano said. "We talk to everyone."
The couple seem to be fulfilling a destiny.
Each have sons from previous marriages.
Kim Sorano's parents retired and moved to Las Vegas almost 10 years ago. She followed them in 1997 with her son, Dalton, after her divorce. Although she has a degree in education, she found she could make a lot more money tending bar and being a cocktail waitress.
Frank Sorano attended the University of Houston on a football scholarship. While he was in school, his mother and sister moved to Las Vegas. After he received his degree in accounting he was headed for California with his son, Frankie, when he stopped here to visit his family and a couple of friends.
He thought he would get a job in accounting for one of the hotels, but quickly learned more money could be made working in casinos as a dealer.
They worked at several venues before meeting. They both were hired by the Aladdin when it reopened in 2000. They met a couple of weeks later and have been inseparable ever since.
Since marrying they have added a third son to the household, Anthony.
"We call him our glue' baby now everyone in the family is related to someone," Kim Sorano said.
A couple of years ago, Frank Sorano hit 30 and had a midlife crisis. He didn't want to be a dealer when he was 70, so he and his wife began looking around for business opportunities every-thing from a drive-through con-venience store to a Dairy Queen.
That's when they stumbled across Capozzoli's, which they have re-dubbed Rocco Capozzoli's.
"We do things when it feels right," Kim Sorano said. "That's how we got together. That's how we bought our home."
Many memories have been created at Capozzoli's since it opened. "We want to build more memories," Frank Sorano said.
Jerry Fink can be reached at 259-4058 or at [email protected].
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