Paul Nicaj

Albanian-born Paul Nicaj is a legendary name in the New York City hospitality industry. Born of Albanian parents in Montenegro, Paul Nicaj immigrated to the United States in 1968 with the dream of making it big in the hospitality industry. With fortitude and dedication, that’s just what he did—he became a legend in New York City’s restaurant industry. Nicaj launched his career by working at The Plaza Hotel in Manhattan, where he started at the bottom as a busboy in the Edwardian Room. Over the years, he worked his way up to the position of Director of Restaurants and Catering at The Plaza Hotel, where he was responsible for overseeing the entire $50-million operation. While in this prestigious role, Nicaj created the legendary Sunday Brunch in the Palm Court.