Luigi and Maria immigrated to Canada in the early 1900's, bringing their family to a new land near "America," where they would have the opportunity to reap the rewards of their strong family commitment and work ethic. In 1943, Maria and Albert ("Al"), along with their baby daughter Lorraine and Al's sister Madeline, embarked on an adventure that would change their lives forever. For personal health reasons, Maria and
Al reluctantly left their family and friends in Niagara Falls, New York, and moved to a little-known, dry and dusty town called Las Vegas.
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1943
- Maria's exceptional culinary talents nurtured by her grandmother and Al's affable, outgoing personality led them into the restaurant business. Maria & Al developed their skills at the Fiesta Villa of the 1940's where the likes of Howard Hughes, Clark Gable, Jane Russell, Clara Bow, and other Hollywood legends "hung out" in Vegas. 1955
- Liberace was the highest paid entertainer in Las Vegas, earning $50,000 a week. Maria, Al, and family opened the Venetian Pizzeria on Fremont Street. 1960s - Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack were causing global excitement on the Las Vegas Strip. Maria and Al and family opened the Venetian Restaurant on W. Sahara. 1972
- While Elvis was electrifying Las Vegas audiences, Maria and Al joined forces with their daughter, Lorraine. They built and opened the Bootlegger Ristorante on land that Lorraine owned at Tropicana and Eastern. (They called it the Bootlegger after ancestor Luigi, who during the Prohibition Era in the United States sold his homemade wine in his boardinghouse in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.) In 1972, Lorraine was a popular entertainer appearing on the Las Vegas Strip with her musical group, the Lauri Perri IV. She brought fresh new ideas to the business and became it's president and chief executive officer.
2001 - Lorraine, Maria, Al, and family opened the Bootlegger Italian Bistro on Las Vegas Boulevard, South Strip, continuing the legacy. 2003
- Lorraine's son, Ron Mancuso, joined the family team as chief operating officer. Ron's background in the world of contemporary music as a guitar player and composer added a new generation of creativity and energy to the family business. His wife Tina and children, Roman and Zia, expanded the family involvement. As the Bistro grew to a 24-hour, 7 days a week operation, Ron's leadership allowed his mother, Lorraine, to continue her public service commitment as Lieutenant Governor for the State of Nevada, where she served for eight years overseeing the state's tourism and economic development initiatives, as well as serving as President of the Nevada State Senate.
| | 1907 Louigi and Maria
He was called the “Bootlegger” because he sold beer and wine in his boarding house
in Canada when there was Prohibition in the United States. Young Maria developed he culinary skills by helping her grandmother cook for the boarders. 1936 Maria and Albert’s Wedding 1943 Maria and Al
The “Las Vegas” Story
They moved to a new land of opportunity to fulfill their Italian American dream 1950 Maria and “Al”
Las Vegas New Restaurateurs | | 1912
Teresa and Frank Perry’s wedding (Al’s parents) 1918 Young Albert
With his father, mother
and brother.
1923 Maria in the Early Years
At the age of twelve, Maria was planning the
menus and creating new recipes with her grandmother. 1949 Four Generations
Maria, Maria’s mother,
grandmother and daughter Lorraine. 1995 Ron and Tina’s Wedding |
2006
- Lorraine married recording artist and music variety talk show host Dennis Bono who brought his entertainment talents to the family enterprise. Today, Executive Chef Mama Maria, in her youthful 90's, still oversees her kitchen. This dedicated Italian family fondly contributes its combined talents to bring the finest in food, drink, hospitality, and entertainment to the many friends and visitors who patronize the restaurant - continuing a family tradition in Las Vegas for over 50 years!
Buon Appetito 
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