We dedicate this restaurant to our ancestors, Louigi and Maria Zoia
who migrated to Canada in the early 1900's bringing their family to a new land where they would have the opportunity to reap the rewards of their strong family commitment and work ethic. Maria Perry’s father Louigi was called “The Bootlegger” because, during Prohibition in the United States, he sold beer and wine at his boarding house in Canada. Young Maria developed her culinary skills by helping her grandmother cook for the
boarders. Maria grew up, married Al and settled in Niagara Falls, NY. Personal health reasons forced Maria and Al to leave their family and friends back east and, with their daughter Lorraine, move to a little known, dry, dusty town called Las Vegas, Nevada. There, Maria's exceptional culinary skills and Al's affable, outgoing personality led them to the restaurant business. Al and Maria learned the restaurant
business in the 40s at the famous Fiesta Village the forties, where Hollywood legends, among them Howard Hughes, Jane Russell hung out in Vegas. With other family members, in 1955 the Perrys opened the Venetian Pizzeria of Fremont St. and in the sixties, the Venetian Restaurant on West Sahara. In 1972, joining forces with their now-grown daughter Lorraine, they opened the Bootlegger Ristorante at Tropicana and Eastern.
Lorraine was a popular entertainer, who often appeared on the Las Vegas Strip. She brought new ideas and energy to the established family business. After 27 years -– and after entertaining thousands of locals and visitors -- the Perrys and Hunts have opened the new Bootlegger Bistro on The Strip at 7700 Las Vegas Boulevard South. Thus, the more-than-50-year tradition of Bootlegger Bistro hospitality continues to this
day. | | 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
| | 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. |
