The founder director of The Court talks about himself, from his luminary travels to Japan to the new projects in the heart of the capital, from Roma4Roma and its evolution.
Let's start from the beginning: how did you approach the world of mixology?
The term mixology did not exist years ago, just as there were still no precise classifications in the bartending world. I spent my first evenings behind a bar in the clubs of the time, then over time I started to experiment. The world of cooking was very close to the world of bars in that period, it was truly the beginning, and therefore the first creations, let's call them that, were born from twist on cocktails, what we know today as twist on classic. Today I am the founder director of The Court and I certainly owe this to all the trips I made to America and the East.
How was the experience in Japan, how does Italian mixology differ from Japanese mixology?
I can define it as the experience that cleaned me up, allowed me to perfect my mixing technique and elevate myself in the world of European bartending. Italian mixology has absorbed a lot from the oriental one, the mixing and ice techniques are now well known in the European hinterland. I remember that I was the only one in Europe to make cubed or spherical ice, I also did some masterclasses on the use of this new drink cooling technique. The differences that still exist today are on the level of hospitality. For the Japanese, the guest is sacred, there is a sort of mutual respect and this is not only in paid environments, it is really steeped in their culture. The guest is guaranteed a 360° experience, from the moment they arrive until they leave.
And how does America come into your professional career?
The cultural baggage I brought with me from Japan allowed me to arrive in America. I was working in a club when one day he called me Joe Bastianich making me a job offer, he was very interested in the new techniques I had acquired and thus an interesting collaboration was born which further enriched my knowledge before returning to Italy.
What is your mixing proposal?
This year the proposal for mixing the The Court is inspired by a great Roman bartender who made history at the Savoy in London, Peter Dorelli. In his mixing he was the first to introduce the use of fresh fruit and flowers in cocktails, a mixing method that had been somewhat snubbed over the years. So we thought we'd take it back and renew it as a tribute to the great Maestro. The menu is inspired by the cinematography of Fellini and De Sica, by those great films that made the history of cinema, but also of Rome. The cocktails are mainly fruity with exotic notes given by tropical fruit, but there is no shortage of latest generation experiments, I can tell you that we have revisited a 90s drink style in a modern key.
What cocktail would you suggest we drink?
I would propose to you the Lucha Muchacha a cocktail based on mezcal and green juice, i.e. green pepper juice, a bit particular to be able to explain to customers but truly special. Describing it becomes difficult, you should come and try it.
How did the idea of creating a network of contacts between bartenders come about with Roma 4 Roma? Will it be followed up with the reopening of the premises?
Rome4Rome it was born from an actual need, obviously the period did not allow us to invite bartenders for masterclasses or guests from abroad and so we said to ourselves: let's invite our Roman colleagues, why not? I wanted to do a connection project between the bartenders and the clubs of the capital precisely to defeat that old lobbying style that saw the Roman clubs as a reality in itself without connections. In particular, I created a truly close-knit group with Brakes and clutches And Drink Kong, I can say that Rome has really changed and the passion for work unites us in a totally healthy and competition-free perspective.
How did this connection project between bartenders evolve?
The new project we have started is the one on "Famous bartender couples" compared behind the same counter, we called colleagues who live together and work in different clubs and we asked them to be a guest with us at The Court for an evening comparison, in which mixology and the sentimental bond that unites them merges into a truly particular experience. Behind the counter The Court There were numerous couples who got involved. From Cristina Folgore and Biagio Maurice Gennaro to the couples of Jerry Thomas Project: Federico Tomasselli and Giada Orsini; Simone Onorati and Raimonda Basso Bondini.
Are there any new projects for the future, collaborations or news?
We started again with the guests through the “Better Together” project, in which we have already seen behind our counter people of the caliber of Julio Cabrera, the last of the Cantineros, a super renowned bartender in the United States and many other names at an international level such as: Giorgio Bargiani of Connaugth, London; Valentino Longo of the Four Seasons in Miami; Vasilis Kyritsis of Clumsies in Athens and many others.
And finally, our usual question: what is your favorite cocktail?
I'm a classic, I love the Bloody Marys done properly, I won't deny that it's difficult to find someone who knows how to do it to my taste. And then, I would say a classic Daiquiris but with Overproof Pineapple, I think it's a crazy product to combine with a touch of sugar and lime.
Clelia Mumolo
