TRADITIONS
Photo by Peter J. Cooper
I love traditions. They’re the perfect blend of sentiment, nostalgia and foundation to which we can anchor so many of our life’s experiences. It gives us a beautiful way to connect the past to the present, and at the same time gives us excitement for familiar and hopeful things to come. Whether it’s annually returning to the same restaurant where we had a first date with the love of our life or watching the same movies at Christmas time – they give us a warmth and peace we all need. Traditions also give us stories to tell over and over again. So I’ve chosen to begin the Superhawk journal by sharing with you the genesis of one of my favorite traditions.
I had just arrived at A.O.C. on West 3rd Street in Los Angeles when my dear friend George Folsey Jr. joined me at the bar. It was a busy early evening at the restaurant and our table wasn’t quite prepared, so naturally the bar was the best place to spend the time. Shall we have a negroni? As it is with all things, there must be a beginning – and this was the very beginning of my friendship with George, having met while he was editing a film I had recently produced. A little to my embarrassment, I admitted I wasn’t familiar with this particular cocktail. Without missing a beat, George summoned the bartender by name and ordered two negronis, and thus began my introduction to this special drink that seems to be more of a way of life than just another concoction. Gin, Campari and sweet vermouth in the same measurement, poured over ice with an orange slice. I loved it. But I loved even more his passion for negronis, which connected me to the drink in a nostalgic way immediately – and a tradition was born.
Many years have passed and to this day, when George and I dine together, the evening always begins with the same question. Shall we have a negroni? Naturally, the answer is always yes. I’ve introduced friends from California to Texas to New York to negronis and have started new traditions with them. It’s a great way to begin an evening, to take a breath, and to settle into conversation before viewing the wine list and dinner menu. I highly recommend it. PJC