In Turin, a few steps from the lively Roman Quadrilateral, there is a place that seems to have come out of a postcard from the 1930s: we are talking about The Goodman, cocktail bar located in Orphanage Street whose mission is to transport its guests to an atmosphere of times gone by inspired by theArt Deco.
«The project The Goodman was born about 5 years ago, with a gestation period of about a year – he tells us Renato DeGaspari, owner of the cocktail bar – We wanted to give the city something different and so we took inspiration from the 30s and Art Deco, an artistic and tasteful movement that both my partner and I were passionate about Naike Istria, who took care of the aesthetic part of the place".
The Goodman, a dive into the 30s
The research and choice of materials for the The Goodman, such as the marble used for the counter and the round tables in the room, the blue velvet seats and the use of gold, without forgetting other details that distinguish the Art Deco style such as the use of linear, geometric, clean shapes.
Even the use of colors was not casual, on the contrary they were fundamental "to be able to identify ourselves. The blue that we used for the walls, together with the wallpaper, makes the environment elegant and refined", explains Renato. Finally, the coffered ceiling is that architectural gem that completes the atmosphere.
But why? The Goodman? «We initially thought of a name that recalled the prohibition of the 30s, but then we changed our minds because it would have clashed with Art Deco. So we went from “Goodfellas” to the figure of Benny Goodman, one of the first jazz musicians of the big bands of those years and we liked him" says Renato.
Behind the counter of the cocktail bar there is Julius Otera, a bartender born in 1989 with many experiences under the Mole, from Murazzi to Inside passing through Km5, where he had his first experience as a bar manager, Affini, Formula N.12 and then arrived at The Goodman.
The Cabinet of Curiosities: The Drink List on the Major Arcana Cards
The current drink list, The Cabinet of Curiosities – The library of wonders – takes its inspiration from the concept of the same name that has historical roots in the 17th and 18th centuries for the interest and collection of rare, strange and wonderful objects; real rooms full of curious, scientific and artistic objects, which told the eccentricity and knowledge of the time.
Inside are the Signature – 13 including non-alcoholic drinks – dedicated to the knowledge of time and mystery and each one combined with a card of the Major Arcana of the tarot, such as XI The Force, one of the most popular drinks on the new drinks list based on Bulldog Gin to which are added Campari, Vermouth del Professore Classico, Skinos Mastiha – a typical Greek liqueur made from mastic resin – and fresh citrus fruits with an acidic and lively scent that give a final touch of lucidity and clarity.
Among the signatures we also find VI The Lovers, a cocktail with contrasting but complementary flavours based on curry vodka with a strong spicy and intriguing character to which bitters, mango and passion fruit are added, and XV The Devil, a drink that offers a sensory journey that plays with the contrast between sweetness and depth based on Skinos Dark Coffee Liqueur to which coconut and vanilla are added.
Goodman classics, we're talking about customizations, not twists on classics!
In addition to having a section – Best Cocktail – where the signature cocktails from the previous drink lists that guests particularly liked are included, the new feature offered by the Quadrilatero cocktail bar is the section Goodman Classics: giving a personal touch to the timeless classics. «We add something of our own while respecting the classic cocktail: for example, if you taste our Martini it has slightly different aromas, but the structure is typical of the cocktail. In terms of definition, it's about making twist on classics, we don't make any upheavals, but customizations that we would like to remain in the next drink lists too" Otera explains to us.
Finally, we cannot help but ask what they are Favorite spirits and cocktails by Renato De Gaspari and Giulio Otera: «I go through periods a lot. Currently, if I think of spirits, I would say whiskey, while for cocktails, Negroni, even though I previously had a passion for Daiquiri» Renato tells us. «My favorite spirit is rum, while for cocktails, it depends on when you start drinking! – Giulio jokingly replies – However, I would say Americano and Gin Tonic, I am a great gin lover!».
