Audio By Carbonatix
As the first person to greet guests at Mr. Chow, maître d’ Mario
Stocco sets the tone for the evening at the upscale Chinese restaurant at the W
Hotel. Always impeccably dressed in a suit and tie, Stocco has a sartorial style
and a winning smile that make customers feel welcome as they enter the sleek and
modern space. You might have to wait for a table, but at least Mario will make
the time go by faster with his charm and wit. And don’t forget to order his
favorite libation, the dragon kiss.
New Times: What is the
sexiest item on the menu?
Mario Stocco: The green prawns and the drunken fish. Both
dishes appeal to all five senses.
What is your favorite
cocktail?
The dragon kiss. It has house-infused jalapeño tequila,
strawberry syrup, and lime juice. The glass is rimmed with sugar and cayenne
pepper. I tend to like things on the spicier side.
How often are you hit
on?
Sure, that happens — by both sexes. It’s playful. Anything for
a table, right?
How do you make guests
feel welcome?
It’s about being genuine and sincere. A smile, a firm
handshake, and a compliment to the ladies. I also like to know where
people are
from. Geography helps me suggest menu items to the guests. Our customers
come
from all over the world. You can tell who has a strong economy by who is
eating
at Mr. Chow. Right now, I’m seeing a lot of Canadians and Brazilians. We
also
have princes from the Middle East.
Describe the scene at
Mr. Chow.
On the weekends, it is New York hustle. During the week, it
is classy, casual, and comfortable. It’s a full night out. There is great
people-watching and delicious food. The W property is a one-stop shop
with the
pool bar and Wall.
Do people expect to
see Mr. Chow at the restaurant?
Yes! They take pictures of him as much as celebrities like
Michael Jordan. He has been so successful for 43 years.
Mr. Chow
2201 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
305-695-1695
