By Sergi Castro, sommelier at Jean Leon
It was only logical that this year’s Hollywood Pairings would be dedicated to the legendary actor born exactly 100 years ago: Paul Newman.
The connection between Paul Newman and Jean Leon goes back to the time when Jean Leon worked at Villa Capri, the famous pizzeria run by Patsy D’Amore with Frank Sinatra and Joe DiMaggio.
Both Jean and Paul shared a deep friendship with James Dean. Paul was part of the group of young actors who often gathered at the restaurant to share a pizza before fame changed their lives. Among them were Sal Mineo, Nathalie Wood, and Anna Maria Pier Angeli.
Jean and Paul often reminisced about their friendship with James Dean, whose death was a painful blow to projects they shared: the opening of a restaurant and a Hemingway play, respectively.
Paul Newman was also one of the first customers at Jean Leon’s restaurant, arriving just two days after its opening with Arthur Loew Jr., the very first guest, who spread the word among Hollywood stars. Within three months, it had become the place to be.
Jean Leon proudly said he taught many stars how to eat (and drink) well. Referring to Newman, he mentioned how the actor initially spent a fortune to dress his salads with just celery, pepper, and salt, accompanied by plenty of cold beer. Over time, though, he learned to distinguish veal from beef or enjoy dishes like sole.
Paul Newman appreciated Jean Leon’s wines from Penedès—not just at the restaurant, but also at home—contributing greatly to their popularity among California’s elite.
We can confidently say that Paul Newman became a true gourmet thanks to Jean Leon.
One of Jean Leon’s signature ideas at his restaurant was naming dishes after celebrity fans. This idea had to be scrapped, though, as some stars got jealous—everyone wanted their name on the menu! The concept was later adopted by many other restaurants.
Paul Newman did have his own dish: Grenadine de buey à la Paul Newman, one of the few we still have the recipe for. If all goes well, we’ll serve it at our next “Hollywood Night” at the winery.
Jean and Paul also shared a passion for politics, both supporting the Democratic Party during JFK’s presidential campaign.
Paul Newman is one of the actors who shares stories about Jean Leon in the documentary 3055: Jean Leon, available on streaming platforms. It’s the perfect way to discover this remarkable character, accompanied by a glass of your favorite Jean Leon wine.
Cheers!
