The Godfather’s Linguine & Clams | Gianni Russo’s Vegas Classic

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An Old Fashioned, some red lipstick and a black dress…sigh, there’s just something undeniable about a good ol’ classic. The beloved Vegas showgirl may be an endangered species these days (insert tear), but “VEGAS! THE SHOW” preserved those feather-clad beauties and the likes of an era when everything was flashier and dripping with sophistication. What’s that you ask? Can a show filled with gorgeous and talented women a la Rat Pack era really exist in the here and now? Oh yes my friend, it sure can and all we have to say is raise that curtain and let the good times roll. With a little song, a lot of dance and that certain sultry allure that only old timey Vegas could pull off, this is a trip down memory lane and, well, it’s pretty legit. The costumes are fun, funky, sexy and so real. Ok, well maybe not the candy-themed costumes but hell, their Sammy Davis Jr. sure had us pining for an autograph. For a city that was built on pure, raw talent and obviously dolla dolla bills, this show celebrates iconic moments from the city's rich entertainment history through the decades that made the Vegas we know and love today. And we’ll tip our top hats to that.

RockSinCity

Published Aug 24, 2026

Gianni Russo played Carlo Rizzi in one of the greatest movies ever made, The Godfather — but his story goes far beyond Hollywood.
Years later, Russo had a popular Las Vegas restaurant called State Street, one of the places to be in Vegas during the 1980s. I remember Gianni from those days, and one of my favorite Italian dishes was Linguine and Clams.
Today on Buzz Cooks, I'm bringing back that old-school Italian-American flavor with my Linguine and Clams — white wine, garlic, shallots, fresh parsley, chopped clams, and the secret ingredient that really makes this sauce stand out: fresh lemon zest.
It's simple, loaded with flavor, and exactly the kind of dish that reminds me of the old Las Vegas restaurant scene.
And if you're a fan of The Godfather, old Hollywood, Las Vegas history, and great Italian food, Gianni Russo's book Hollywood Godfather is a fun read.
???? LINGUINE & CLAMS
Ingredients:
• Linguine
• 2 cans chopped clams, drained and rinsed
• 1 shallot, diced
• 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
• About 2 cups white wine
• Fresh Italian parsley
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Olive oil
• Salt & black pepper
• Crushed red pepper, optional
Heat olive oil in a large pan and sauté the shallot with salt and pepper. Add the garlic, followed by the white wine, parsley, and lemon zest. Add the chopped clams and allow the sauce to come together while the linguine cooks. Toss the cooked pasta directly into the sauce, plate it up, and finish with a pinch of crushed red pepper.
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