Faces of Carson City: Million dollar smiles await at Garibaldi’s

When entering Garibaldi’s Ristorante in the heart of downtown Carson, diners are greeted with smiles that can light up the whole room by servers Slade Siciliano and Morgan Claypool.

Since the governor’s Feb. 10 emergency directive 052 lifted the mask mandate, those smiles can now be seen allowing you to return with your best smile.

Mark Claypool, owner and chef of Garibaldi's Italian Kitchen, rolled with the punches during the entire COVID ordeal and was able to keep both servers on his payroll – another reason to smile – thus neither had to endure the trials and tribulations of filing for unemployment.

The 6-foot 5-inch Siciliano has been a Garibaldi’s server for five years and makes quite the impression; first for his height, then for that smile, followed by his unflappability in almost any situation.

After seating you, the experience of ordering becomes somewhat intimate as he takes orders on bended knee since he towers over the tables and guests. I’ve seen him expertly handle a party of 12 — all with different drink and meal orders — and make it seem easy while always smiling.

Claypool is 13 inches shorter than Siciliano which makes for quite the contrast but that captivating smile rivals his. The 5-foot 4-inch daughter of the owner has been around restaurants all her life, although never fully committed to working within her Dad’s trade until 2019, just prior to the pandemic. She says, “I love being a server because I so enjoy the diners who are regulars and those who are just discovering our great little restaurant.”

Siciliano adds, “I love to listen to the stories people share with me, for I have found that everyone has great stories!”

The entire staff is happy the mask mandate has been lifted. The servers can now recite the many fresh specials without sounding muffled and customers can clearly be understood when asking about menu items. Claypool states, “Everyone seems so much more relaxed, and dining has become so enjoyable once again that we are almost always booked solid.” As servers, they mirror that enjoyment.

Both live in Carson City. Siciliano was born here, moved to Dallas with his family when he was in grade school, returning when his family moved back when he was a high school junior. He played basketball for Carson High, graduating in 2010. His young family is growing currently with an 18-month-old and another on the way.

Claypool grew up in Dayton, graduating from Dayton High in 2015 and is the mother to two children, 3 and 5. Both love living in Carson and plan to raise their families here thus giving those who lament the supposed migration of the young workforce a reason to celebrate.

Claypool credits her dad with keeping both employed while continuing to serve customers even when the food had to be packaged in plastic and delivered curbside.

“Our loyal customers loved my Dad for hanging in there, and so do I.”

This is when “Dad” Mark Claypool just had to chime in by adding, “These two are my champions, and I couldn’t have endured this pandemic without them.”

He added that finding workers is still a challenge and currently the entire 50-seat restaurant is run by a staff of seven.

Garibaldi’s Ristorante Italiano, 307 N. Carson St., has been a fixture in the downtown since 1995 and today serves only dinner between 5-9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The most ordered meal is steak thus they have morphed into an “Italian Steakhouse.” Elk and venison are often on the menu. The sauces covering the various pasta dishes are legendary.

Thanks to the “can do” attitude and the million-dollar smiles offered by Siciliano and Claypool, Garibaldi’s is surviving today’s uncertain climate. Reservations are a must these days, call 775-884-4574.