Takeaways – Life. Lessons. Learned.

Nick Palmeri

Nick Palmeri, owner of Gaetano’s Ristorante in Henderson, isn’t just a chef or a businessman, he’s the keeper of a legacy. His story is one of family, resilience, and incredible work ethic!

When COVID brought Las Vegas to a standstill, Nick refused to close his doors. Instead, he reinvented his operation overnight, fought to keep his team employed, and proved that real hospitality doesn’t quit, even when the world does.

Family First, Always

Nick’s journey began in the family restaurant at 10 years old, working alongside his father who built restaurants from scratch and taught his sons that nothing replaces hard work.

When his father passed unexpectedly, Nick stepped in to lead. He bought the restaurant from his mother and carried on the recipes, traditions, and standards that made Gaetano’s a go-to for locals and the likes of Joe Rogan. Today you can add Theo Von and UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Alex Pereira to the roster of regulars. Each dish from his grandmother’s artichokes to his father’s pistachio-stuffed mozzarella sticks keeps that legacy alive.

Quality Over Everything

Nick’s approach to food and business is simple: if it’s not the best, it’s not on the menu. He uses organic chicken, wild boar, handmade pasta, and Sicilian-sourced olive oil, often traveling to Italy to meet the producers himself.

He’s known for proudly saying, “You don’t need to go to Italy — just come to Henderson.” And he means it. Every wine has been personally selected by him and his wife to pair with the cuisine on their menu. To Nick, hospitality isn’t a script, it’s a memory. He trains his staff to remember faces, names, and favorite dishes. He personally tracks guest visits and ordered preferences, using modern tech tools combined with his own instinct to make every returning customer feel like family.

Controlled Madness

Nick laughs when people say they want to open a restaurant. He laughed at me! His advice: “Don’t do it.”

Behind the beautiful plates and wine pairings is a grueling grind, often 80 to 100-hour weeks, broken equipment, and endless problem-solving. But he wouldn’t trade it, and you hear it in his passion when he starts talking about his work.

Always Moving Forward

My friend Ruth Furman once described Nick as “never stagnant.” That captures it perfectly. He has steered Gaetano’s through change with innovation, vision, and relentless determination. He launched a restaurant venture, navigated the upheaval of COVID shutdowns, and even led legislative change so restaurants could legally sell packaged liquor to go—all while processing the loss of his father.

For Nick, success is about pivoting without losing your purpose. He’s not just a leader—he’s an inspiration to other leaders!

Takeaways From This Episode

• Family legacy is worth preserving
• Quality has no shortcuts
• If you want it, you have to be ready to outwork everyone
• Pivot without losing purpose

Watch the entire Podcast episode for the full discussion with Nick Palmeri as we delve deeply into his experiences and perspectives. Thank you for listening! Please subscribe to “Takeaways,” rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts.

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