If you believe the rumors, South Beach is about to go retro, back to the days when people actually danced at clubs, when real celebrities came to party because they wanted to and not for a carefully orchestrated, trite tabloid photo op, and when the words South Beach and hip together in the same sentence was anything but oxymoronic. That's right, we have excellent sources telling us that the Captain and Tennille of 90s Miami nightlife, Chris Paciello and Ingrid Casares, are teaming up again, this time as partners in the food and beverage operations at the Delano left recently vacant by Jeffrey Chodorow, who was bought out by the hotel's owners, Morgans Hotel Group, for $20 million.
Paciello, a convicted felon who paid his dues (though some would disagree) in prison for six years on a ten year sentence after pleading guilty for his involvement in a robbery/murder on Staten Island, was most recently living a quiet(ish) life running some pizzerias in Los Angeles. Casares has been out of the nightlife game for a while herself, focusing on raising her young son and working in her family's window manufacturing business. The two together at the Delano could be a game changer, especially considering the already successful Florida Room. Throw in an arrangement with Las Vegas nightlife and restaurant heavies The Light Group, whom we hear is also behind this (and was incidentally founded by Andrew Sasson, a former doorman at old school and also lamented South Beach hotspot Velvet), and you've got at the very least a good night out and one that celebrities and their publicists, tabloid reporters, party crashers cum bloggers, paparazzi, and plain ol' party people looking for a good time will no doubt want in on.
The legions of Liquid alumni still kicking around and yearning for nocturnal nostalgia will relish in this news as well, but will remain cautiously optimistic that the reunion won't be the clubland version of the Footloose remake. Whatever it will be, if it will be, will perhaps serve as the shot of adrelanine to reawaken what some would say has become a pretty insipid, sell out of a scene. Stay tuned for more details.
Thank the lord we have a murderer coming back to town to save the south beach club scene.
Posted by: vamosrafa | June 27, 2011 at 10:54 PM
GOD BLESS YOU CHRIS
WE LOVE U BUDDY XO
Posted by: Lola | June 29, 2011 at 10:29 AM
Good for them--and good for the still amazing Delano. They were a great team back when South Beach was really the place to be and maybe they can bring back some of that chic to todays Miami..
Posted by: Buck Winthrop | June 29, 2011 at 03:48 PM
Miami will never be chic again. Those days are long gone. What's not gone is the way criminals are treated like celebrities there.
Posted by: Jason Schwartz | June 29, 2011 at 04:43 PM
Chris and Ingrid welcome home. South Beach hasn't been the same without you. It's as though the energy, the drive, the class, the style drained the day you walked away. It's up to you to bring Miami back to life. It will be you to restore it back to the way it should be. It's been a long time coming. Own it, it is yours, it always has been.
xoxoxo
Posted by: Dina Casanova | June 29, 2011 at 10:03 PM
I agree that times have changed and its unlikely we can recreate the same vibe as in the 90s.
Posted by: C.Campria | June 30, 2011 at 09:26 AM
still have my Liquid plastic VIP Card!
Posted by: bt | July 27, 2011 at 10:30 AM
I think this is an outrage!!!!!!!!! I personally will make sure that Chris gets exactly what is coming to him, he is a RAT, LIER,THief, CON.
Bruce Bender
Owner Southeast Bankers Mortgage Corp
Posted by: Bruce Bender | August 02, 2011 at 01:32 AM
Bruce, right? A better partner for chris paCello would b e Casey Anthony
Posted by: Jeremy Sanderson | August 05, 2011 at 03:23 PM
Chris live your life and walk with God. If You need a hand fighting the devils off, Call Jimmy Calandra. That guy is fearless. He walks around brooklyn and staten island like he owns it. I seen him in action and he is a real gentleman. Just don't cross him.
Posted by: John Gotti jr | August 30, 2011 at 03:22 PM
Don't underestimate the colombos Chris !!!! You are marked for death stay in LA
Posted by: Frank | September 02, 2011 at 11:45 PM
Wow, I guess Miami is a place where they let murderers walk around all over the place. The place is trash with all the 3rd world latin scum there.
Posted by: Anon | September 09, 2011 at 02:41 PM
It's all good Chris, every dog has his day, and trust me, I personally know a couple of guys from the Colombo's who will eventually have their day with you... Take care of yourself Chris, cause you ain't gonna see them coming in the dark!
Posted by: john doe | September 22, 2011 at 07:58 PM
Dont worry chris u and i hung out and partied at RiSK, then later at LIQUID. U r a legend my brother.... It takes 10 roman jones and 15 gerry kelleys to b u on a bad day .... On a good day it might take 20 !!!!
To all the haters out there i will put the BINGER against 5 columbo soldiers and still lay odds on chris !!!
Help us in s fl , do now what u started w risk !!!!
Posted by: mike k | November 04, 2011 at 10:10 AM
a chris thats great news.iam sure you will do better then before.everything you touch turns to gold,and if you ever need anything in chicago hit me up bro.i work the door at som of the best spots in the city..take care god bless
Posted by: michaelfusco | November 11, 2011 at 08:49 PM
I don't care about anyone's past, just get me the password for Fat Black on Monday Nights. That shit was epic.
Posted by: DJ Euphoria | January 15, 2012 at 09:47 PM
Good for u Chris u were the best thing about south beach met u at risk and thought u were amazing hope u reclaim your throne
Posted by: Michelle | February 11, 2012 at 02:00 PM
He's still a RAT
Posted by: rod | March 09, 2012 at 09:14 PM
HEY, KIDDO ITS CARLOS FROM NYC GERROD AND BOBBYS DRIVER DOWN THE BLOCK FROM MADONA'S PAD 64ST. COMIMG DOWN NEXT WEEK AND HANGING OUT WITH CLIVE DAVIS. MAYBE WE CAN SWING BY UR CLUB. AT THE DELANO LET ME KNOW. B GD .
Posted by: carlos | March 20, 2012 at 10:03 PM