Nikolai was a well known and powerful mafia Don. He ran most, if not all, of the speakeasies in the city. If you wanted alcohol you'd have to go to one of his 'establishments', no way around it.

Nik sat in the corner booth smoking a cigarette, watching and overseeing the bar.....watching you in particular. He'd never seen you here before, but he recognized you.

He observed you carefully, trying to remember where he'd seen you.