Trying to remember the name of a restaurant in the 1970's (Palm Beach: motel, lawyers)

[gidge]

Does anyone remember the name of the restaurant on Federal Hwy near Oakland, I think it was an Italian restaurant. And then it became the Playpen?

[mango23]

Originally Posted by gidge

Does anyone remember the name of the restaurant on Federal Hwy near Oakland, I think it was an Italian restaurant. And then it became the Playpen?

I think it was Fazio's the spelling may be wrong. The owner was a reputed mobster and there were often mobster types that met there. After the murder of his son Fazio seemed to fade away. I forget the details of his sons murder. He used to live not far from me and was a friend of my fathers. When the Yankees were in Fort lauderdale that was one of their hangouts.
Assuming we are talking about the same place.

I just did a little googling and came up with this clip from the Palm Beach Post:

"Other veteran local lawyers, however, had less rosy things to say about Druck. Hugh Maloney, who squared off against Druck on a case or two, would occasionally have drinks with him at Jimmy Fazio's House of Ribs on North Federal Highway, a popular hangout for both lawyers and gangsters in those days"

I don't know what that story was about but it mentioned the restaurant.

[gidge]

mango23 It was Gigi's!!!! An old friend remembered or googled it!

[MrClose]

Going Way Back here but at one time it was called La Fontana.
It was an Italian Restaurant owned by the Florio's.

I know this because I worked there and .. Dawn Florio was my girlfriend and her brother Mario was my run around buddy.

Funny thing .. about ten years later .. I married Patrice Florio who was No relation to the other Florio's!

Her family were also Italian, owned a pizza parlor directly across the street from the motel that they also owned on S. Federal Hwy called The Coconut Court Motel!

[gmangatorboy53]

Originally Posted by gidge

mango23 It was Gigi's!!!! An old friend remembered or googled it!

I remember going to Gigi's with my parents when I was a kid back in the late 1960's. It was a pretty cool place to eat back then! I'll always associate the song "Love Is Blue" by Paul Muriat that was being played there the last time we went! Since "Love Is Blue" was a number 1 song for 5 weeks back in February and March of 1968, I'm guessing that sometime in late 1968 would have been the last time I went and I have no clue as to when Gigi's closed and became something else.

[ruski]

Originally Posted by gmangatorboy53

I remember going to Gigi's with my parents when I was a kid back in the late 1960's. It was a pretty cool place to eat back then! I'll always associate the song "Love Is Blue" by Paul Muriat that was being played there the last time we went! Since "Love Is Blue" was a number 1 song for 5 weeks back in February and March of 1968, I'm guessing that sometime in late 1968 would have been the last time I went and I have no clue as to when Gigi's closed and became something else.

Paul MAuriat

[Beverly Shaffner]

The Name was Americo's. It was on Broward Blvd about a block from Ginos. They moved to the beach area in the late 70's. THEY MADE THE BEST GARLIC ROLLS IN THE WORLD. We have been looking since then for a restaurant that even comes near to their rolls. No Luck, 3 brothers ran the restaurant.

[Rumann Koch]

Jimmy Fazio's House of Prime Ribs became Mr. Pip’s at 3485 N Federal Highway, not Art Stock's Playpen.

MrClose is correct - The Playpen was La Fontana.