Gaetano's Italian

An Italian-culture institution, Gaetano’s was founded in 1947 by Denver’s legendary Smaldone mob family.

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Charles Nicoletti (December 3, 1916 – March 29, 1977), also known as "Chuckie the Typewriter", was an American mobster of the Chicago Outfit, who served as hitman under boss Sam Giancana before and after Giancana's rise and fall. Nicoletti was murdered on March 29, 1977. Nicoletti was due to testify before the House Select Committee on Assassinations at the time of his death. The same applies to George de Mohrenschildt who died on the exact same day. #MobHistory (at Gaetano's Restaurant) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqYkwv3vjiQ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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When Al Capone, “Scarface Al”, “Public Enemy Number One”, Overlord of the Chicago underworld, arrived in Miami off the southbound train a passenger described a continuous poler game with the uniformed attendants rushing around, carrying buckets of cracked ice and mixer bottles of ginger ale, each waiter trying to out-hustle the other in anticipation of $100 tips. Capone’s flamboyant wealth would prove irresistible even if the area citizen neighbors disagreed, but most certainly wanted his money and his company!! CAPONE IS HERE! ❤️ (at Gaetano's Restaurant) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqJJGIVPw90/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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The murder sparked a mob war in Philadelphia, which claimed over 20 lives over the next four years, including the succeeding boss Philip "Chicken Man" Testa, and his son Salvatore Testa. (at Gaetano's Restaurant) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqGhKgKvc-A/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Get ready to get engaged this March 20, because it’s National Proposal Day! Whether you’re planning a giant flash mob (we really hope you are) or a romantic declaration of love over dinner, March 20 is the day we celebrate proposals in all their forms. Why March 20, you ask? Well, it’s the first day of spring! So get outside, enjoy the wonderful weather, and show your loved one how much you care. See you at Gaetano’s, the perfect place for LOVE! 🍽🍷🥰 (at Gaetano's Restaurant) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqBJgDTL740/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Frank Nitti, Aka The Enforcer, was an American gangster in Chicago who was Al Capone’s chief enforcer and inherited Capone’s criminal empire when Capone was imprisoned in 1931. (at Gaetano's Restaurant) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp-xJfEpWZr/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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The Lexington Hotel in Chicago, IL constructed in 1891-92, it was mobster Al Capones’ residence for 3-years before his arrest. The hotel was demolished in 1995. Don’t forget to get your reservations in for our Sunday night “Prime Rib Dinner” offered from 5 pm - 9 pm or until we run out! We also offer our regular menu as well. #MobHistory #Brunchtoday 11:30 am - 2:30 pm featuring bottomless #mimosas 🍽🍷🥂 (at Gaetano's Restaurant) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp8EUnRrcVj/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Charles "Lucky" Luciano is considered the father of organized crime, helping found the National Crime Syndicate, which was an alliance of several criminal organizations, mostly made up of the Italian-American Mafia and Jewish Mob. The Patek Philippe Ref. 1516 he owned was eventually given to Joseph Bonanno in Palermo, Italy, in 1957. If you haven’t heard of Joseph Bonanno, you should know that he became the boss of the Bonanno Crime family at 26 years old and was the inspiration for the classic film "The Godfather." Luciano’s Patek Philippe was auctioned off in 2009 for only $36,000 USD and less than a year later it sold for a whopping $300,000.00! Pablo Escobar was a Colombian drug lord who was the founder and sole leader of the Medellin Cartel. Called “The King of Cocaine”, Escobar became the wealthiest criminal in history with an estimated net worth of $30 billion USD at the time of his death in 1993. The Medellin Cartel distributed powder cocaine and smuggled it into the United States. Escobar is known to have owned a Rolex Day-Date encrusted with aftermarket diamonds. Rumor has it that this watch was valued at $70,000 USD but sold for just $8,500 in a private warehouse auction in Colombia. However, there are conflicting reports of whether or not this auction ever even happened. Finally, Jiro Yanagawa was a leader of the Yakuza in Japan. Growing up poor, he rose through the ranks of the Yakuza quickly, eventually setting up his own organization with thousands of men. Yanagawa wore the iconic Patek Philippe Nautilus. The version he owned was yellow gold and encrusted with diamonds throughout the bracelet, dial, and bezel. The piece, ref. 3800/108, was sold at auction by Antiquorum Hong Kong in 2015 for $96,000 USD. (at Gaetano's Restaurant) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpxw8Ctr633/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Genealogy Day is every second Saturday in March and this year, it takes place on March 11. A day when it’s perfectly alright to dig around the past to learn more about your relatives! When everyday life is a grind, we know it can be impossible to think about people who lived a hundred years ago. However, for those keen, tracing genealogy can uncover fascinating stories and secrets. Often, people get to learn more about not only their ancestors but also about themselves. Understanding genealogy may answer questions about why we are the way we are. (at Gaetano's Restaurant) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpqRW38v_27/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Capone’s lawyers file a petition to postpone his appearance on March 1929 and attach an affidavit from Capone’s physician, Dr. Kenneth Phillips, which attests to Capone suffering bronchial pneumonia. Capone is reportedly bedridden and alleges it would be dangerous to his health to travel to Chicago to appear in response to a subpoena. That night Capone attends the Sharkey-Stribling boxing match. #alcapone #mafiahistory 🍽️🍷 (at Gaetano's Restaurant) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpdjXiTvlH0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Investigations conducted by U.S. government agencies in the 1950s and ’60s revealed that the structure of the American Mafia was similar to that of its Sicilian prototype. (In the United States, the organization had adopted the name Cosa Nostra [Italian: “Our Affair”].) From the 1950s, Mafia operations were conducted by some 24 groups, or “families,” throughout the country. In most cities where syndicated crime operated, there was one family, but in New York City there were five: Gambino, Genovese, Lucchese, Colombo, and Bonanno. The heads of the most powerful families made up a commission whose main function was judicial. At the head of each family was a “boss,” or “don,” whose authority could be challenged only by the commission. (at Gaetano's Restaurant) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpaxmVkPJhc/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Louis "Lepke" Buchalter (February 6, 1897 – March 4, 1944) was a Jewish-American mobster and head of the Mafia hit squad Murder, Inc. during the 1930s. Buchalter was one of the premier labor racketeers in New York City during that era. Buchalter became the only major mob boss to receive the death penalty in the United States after being convicted of murder. On March 4, 1944, Louis Buchalter was executed in the electric chair in Sing Sing. He had no final words. A few minutes before Buchalter's execution, his lieutenants Weiss and Capone (NOT AL) were also executed. #MafiaHistory (at Gaetano's Restaurant) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpYWkRavjS2/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Dillinger was sequestered at the county jail in Crown Point, Indiana to await trial for the murder of the East Chicago police officer. Authorities boasted that the jail was “escape proof.” But on March 3, 1934, Dillinger cowed the guards with what he claimed later was a wooden gun he had whittled. He forced them to open the door to his cell, then grabbed two machine guns, locked up the guards and several trustees, and fled. (at Gaetano's Restaurant) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpVqNkdvHWI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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On March 2, 1932, from his cell in Cook County Jail in Chicago, one day after the son of famous aviator Charles Lindbergh had been kidnapped, “Scarface” Al Capone offered an award of $10,000 for information that would lead to the capture of the kidnappers and the baby’s safe return. He was denied even though it was brought to the attention of the US Senate! #mafiahistory #alcapone #babyLindbergh #throwbackthursday (at Gaetano's Restaurant) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpS5rT-JDPz/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Anthony “Tony Jack” Joseph Giacalone (January 9, 1919 – February 23, 2001), also known as Tony Jocks, was a Sicilian-American organized crime figure in Detroit. He served as a capo in the Detroit Partnership, and later as a street boss. In terms of the Mafia organization, he was listed by the FBI in 1963 as one of the “Big Men” and deemed an administrator or heir apparent. #MobHistory #OnThisDay (at Gaetano's Restaurant) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpA7QMtL4hd/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Every third Monday of February (February 20) we celebrate Presidents’ Day in all its patriotic glory. Many people relish their day off of work, but they might be surprised to know that that was the point! In 1971, Presidents’ Day moved in an effort to create more three-day weekends for the public in the hope that this would inspire greater productivity nationwide. It was believed that at this point in the year, the restorative effects of the winter holidays have begun to fade and people need another break to regain some of that lost stamina. #prayerstocarter 🙏🏻 (at Gaetano's Restaurant) https://www.instagram.com/p/Co5CpQjLc5g/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Charles "Lucky" Luciano was an Italian-American mobster, considered the founder and father of organized crime in America and the most powerful Mafia boss of all time. Luciano split power between the Five Families - Bonanno, Colombo, Gambino, Genovese, and Lucchese - in a power-sharing arrangement known as The Commission to avoid the type of bloody wars he fought to put himself into power. #TheBoss #MafiaHistory #LuckyLuciano #Powerhouse #TheCommisson (at Gaetano's Restaurant) https://www.instagram.com/p/Co2vnorPIsC/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Gagliano steered the family through a period of high tension between the Five Families. In 1936, Luciano was sent to prison and then, in 1946, deported to Italy. With Luciano's absence, power on the commission was held by an alliance of bosses Vincent Mangano, Joe Bonanno, Stefano Magaddino, and Joe Profaci. Gagliano had to be very careful in the face of this alliance and was keen to keep a low profile while furthering the business interests of his section of Cosa Nostra, in industries such as gasoline rationing, meat, and black market sugar. He usually issued his orders through his close allies, particularly Lucchese, who served as the family's public face and de facto street boss. #TheBoss #MafiaHistory #ThrowbackThursday #OnThisDay (at Gaetano's Restaurant) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cou5cqMp7m1/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=