Ciro's

Ciro's. A historic Italian-American restaurant that originated in New York City during the Prohibition era, famously associated with organized crime figures and Hollywood celebrities. Founded by Ciro Terranova, a member of the Harlem-based Morello crime family, it became a notorious social hub where the worlds of gangsters, politicians, and entertainers intersected. Its legacy endures as a symbol of a glamorous yet illicit chapter in American history.

History

The restaurant was established in the early 1920s by Ciro Terranova, also known as "The Artichoke King," who was a powerful figure in the American Mafia and part of the Giuseppe Morello network. During Prohibition, it operated as a sophisticated speakeasy and dining establishment, strategically located to serve as a neutral meeting ground for various New York crime families. Notable patrons included infamous mobsters like Lucky Luciano, Frank Costello, and Meyer Lansky, who often conducted business amidst its opulent décor. The venue's history is inextricably linked to the Castellammarese War, a pivotal conflict for control of organized crime in the United States, with its backrooms rumored to have hosted clandestine negotiations. Following the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment and Terranova's declining influence, the original location's prominence waned, closing its doors by the late 1930s.

Cuisine and menu

Ciro's menu epitomized classic Italian-American cuisine of the early 20th century, offering hearty, Southern Italian-inspired dishes to a wealthy clientele. Staples likely included rich pastas like spaghetti with meatballs, veal scaloppine, and saltimbocca, alongside imported olive oil and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Given its speakeasy roots, the restaurant would have featured an extensive, if illicit, wine list and cocktails, serving drinks like the Sidecar and French 75 from a hidden bar. The cuisine served as a backdrop for power dining, where the quality of the zabaglione or the strength of the espresso was as much a topic of conversation as the dealings at nearby tables.

Locations and expansion

The flagship and most famous location of Ciro's was in Midtown Manhattan, at a prestigious address that attracted the city's elite. After the original's closure, the Ciro's name was revived in the late 1940s with a new location on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, capitalizing on its legendary aura. This West Hollywood iteration, Ciro's Supper Club, became an iconic nightclub in the Golden Age of Hollywood, hosting performances by legends like Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, and Mickey Rooney. The brand later saw various incarnations, including a modern restaurant in the Las Vegas area, attempting to recapture the glamour of its predecessors. These expansions cemented Ciro's transition from a New York City mob haunt to a national symbol of nightlife and entertainment.

In popular culture

Ciro's has been referenced and depicted across numerous films, television series, and literary works that explore the Prohibition and organized crime eras. It is frequently mentioned in biographies of figures like Lucky Luciano and Frank Sinatra, who was a known patron of the later Sunset Strip location. The restaurant and its ambiance inspired settings in cinematic works such as *The Godfather Part II* and television dramas like *Boardwalk Empire*, which dramatize the nexus of crime and society. Its name evokes a specific cultural image of old-world elegance mixed with underworld intrigue, perpetuated by authors like Gay Talese in his writings on the Mafia and New York City history.

Recognition and awards

While the original Ciro's operated in an era before modern culinary award systems, its historical significance has been recognized through cultural and historical preservation. The later Ciro's on the Sunset Strip was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for its contributions to the entertainment industry, honoring its role in launching the careers of many comedians and musicians during the 1950s. It has been featured in historical retrospectives by institutions like The New York Historical Society and the Mob Museum in Las Vegas, which detail its role in American history. The restaurant's legacy is consistently cited in major publications like *The New York Times* and Vanity Fair* in features exploring the lore of 20th century gangsters and classic nightclubs. Category:Restaurants in New York City Category:Italian-American cuisine Category:Prohibition in the United States Category:Defunct restaurants in the United States