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Friday, July 31, 2009

Big Daddy Carlos...Who is this guy?


Not to be confused with another famous "Big Daddy," Carlos Marcello, king of the Louisiana underworld and beyond, Carlos "Big Daddy" Adley [pictured at right] takes the word entrepeneur and launches it to a whole new dimension. Here's what Carly Milne of Metromix had to say about this bigger-than-life personality:

And why shouldn’t he be happy? Carlos' life path has seen more twists and turns than Mulholland Drive, and these days he has a lot to be excited about. Starting as a bouncer for David Lee Roth’s infamous after-hours club, the Zero, while in his late teens, Carlos segued into becoming one of L.A’s most successful nightlife promoters—not to mention a highly sought-after DJ. [...including Johnny Depp's Viper Room.] But after spending so many years helping launch other people’s nightclubs into the stratosphere, Carlos married nightclub owner and restaurateur Ava Berman, and they launched Velvet Margarita along the Cahuenga Corridor in 2004. Since then, the Velvet has been wildly successful, earning praise from Newsweek and Los Angeles magazine and netting kudos from Gov. Schwarzenegger and Mayor Villaraigosa. And, of course, it's a hangout for A-list clients such as Vince Vaughn.

But that's only a fraction of Big Daddy Carlos' story. Online resource,Wikipedia states:

Big Daddy recently celebrated La Velvet Margarita's four-year anniversary, earning accolades from the NHR's "Who's Who in Restaurants, Newsweek magazine's "#1 Zagat Rated restaurant in Los Angeles, Los Angeles magazine's "Top L.A. Hot Spots, KABC-TV "Top Seven in California, [among many other awards]...In early 2008, Carlos teamed up with casino owner Terry Caudill (4 Queens & Binions) to master-lease and remodel the historical landmark Binions Hotel & Casino as part of the new-wave of downtown Las Vegas gentrification. La Velvet Margarita will soon open locations in Las Vegas, Macau, China and is planning to launch the Velvet Tequila line in 2010.

So why am I going on about this guy? On the surface, he may sound like a million other ego-driven hustlers scrambling to make a buck. The big difference? Carly Milne's interview with Big Daddy Carlos makes it all crystal clear:

CM: For someone who doesn’t know who you are, what makes you so interesting?

BD: I’m a person who could be clinically diagnosed with a larger-than-life personality. And if it’s a crime to love yourself, then guilty as charged! It’s not so much an ego thing, but people either get me or they don’t.

CM: What do the people who get you, get?

BD: They get the love! If you love yourself, you project that on everyone else. The love starts from within, and that spills out into every aspect of my life—artistically, business-wise…I do what I love, and I love what I do.

CM: Your business is suddenly larger than life too, no?

BD: I have two Vegas Velvet Margarita locations, a Velvet Margarita in Macau, we’re launching Velvet Tequila in ’09, my screenplay will go into preproduction in the next couple months, and then I have two other ventures with nightclubs. But the big thing is a casino deal—something that’s never been done before—that’s in the works and will be finalized in the next few months.

CM: Do you sleep?

BD: You know, I do, but I have no set schedule. My motto is, “I doze, but I never close.”

CM: What’s the best thing about Velvet Margarita in L.A?

BD: Seeing five generations of family love, concepts and recipes being translated and brought to the masses. We just celebrated our four-year anniversary and have been called a landmark.

CM: How did Velvet Margarita come to fruition?

BD: When I married my wife—we’ve been together 10 years—we wanted something with cachet. Nightclubs were great, but they have a short life, especially in L.A. We wanted to take something to the next level with a restaurant and ultra-lounge that brought restaurant culture to L.A. Before that, you either went to a nightclub or a restaurant. We wanted to bridge the gap. Our concept was, come for the cuisine and stay for the scene.

CM: What makes Velvet Margarita more than a trendy spot along Cahuenga?

BD: I grew up poor, and I’m very fortunate that people helped me along the way. I don’t mean to get on a spiritual note, but it’s so about that—especially in a superficial town like L.A. I grew up on the streets of Hollywood—I know it better than anyone. This is a churn-and-burn town where people want to hit and run, and then they’re on to the next thing. We wanted to create something that will be around for the next 30 years.

CM: What kind of tips do you have for people who want to get ahead in your line of business?

BD: My credo is that the universe gives to givers and takes from the takers. So if you’re passionate, proactive and stay true to your desires, they will materialize.

***

Big Daddy Carlos--A big guy with a bigger heart. Maybe that's the secret to success. Check this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Daddy_Carlos


Look for another upcoming Las Vegas promotion from Big Daddy Carlos, namely a different kind of Las Vegas Mob Tour.
Yours truly,



11 comments:

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

i work in a casino and i know Big Daddt Carlos personally he is remodeling binions and he does have a night club/restaurant in L.A. plus more. he is the sweetest person you will ever meet and so is is wife and the rest of his family who i have also met and i am also from Vegas

Anonymous said...

This is all bulls&%t. There is a b/c-list restaurant in LA, he's trying in my hometown Vegas, but he's a nobody here. Just as there is no China location. I was curious after reading this, so called. Last time I was in LA was for the May 5th party, which promoted a celebrity vodka. This big talker doesn't even have a tequila line of his own. Don't disrespect the guys who have made it by mobbin' hard, by writing up the shi*t this guy fed you.

Anonymous said...

Great job on the closed and has been closed for a few years binons hotel remodel job!!! Lol such a joke!! How is it in wonder(gv me gv me)LAND?????

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

I used to work for the guy and all I know is he owns a block in the middle of Hollywood, one of the top restaurants in LA, the old Sears building in downtown Las Vegas and is partners with the owner of Binion's casino and the company that's remodeling and master-leasing it. I worked for him for five years and he's one of the nicest but scariest guys you'll ever meet. And if he's full of s&%t, then someday I hope to be full of s&%t.

Anonymous said...

Wow, there sure are a lot of haters out there. I met him with the owner of Binion's at a City Hall meeting when they acquired the 601 property from the city of Las Vegas. Seems like a nice guy and anybody who is being proactive downtown is OK in my book. Signed, Las Vegas native.

Anonymous said...

The buzz is clearly out about what's going on at 601. I guess time will tell, but I am an LA native and I know this guy monopolized the LA nightlife scene for years and I would venture to say that whatever he does downtown I guarantee will bring a "WOW" factor to the synergy that is already happening. PS... I've actually partied with him. He does talk a big game, but he's one of the few that I can say actually backs it up. Rock on, Big Daddy!

mobwriter said...

To those who degrade Carlos or others and their legitimate business dealings: Please check your facts as we have. In the future, foul language will not be tolerated on this site. We will continue to post all comments if they are worded using appropriate language.

Anonymous said...

From personal experience, this guy and his company are not what is written in this article.