Just a week after Joshua David Stein tore into the teetering Cipriani empire, the Post's Steve Cuozzo comes out in defense of the tax evading Italians, claiming their overpriced celebrity fueled haunts so important to New York City and it's slowing economy that the SLA should not strip them of their liquor licenses. The Cuozz argues "In fact, all of Cipriani's venues might take years to find new users. In a time of sinking morale driven by widespread economic fear, the city does not need its landmarked banquet halls forced to stand empty." Indeed that may be true, but perhaps some of the City's young hospitality Turks are waiting in the wings, looking for an opportunity to put their own stamp on these venues. We will know more in a few weeks, after the SLA holds their hearing. Stay tuned. [NYP]