By Sergi Castro, sommelier of Jean Leon
When the film ‘Rebel Without a Cause’ was released on 27 September 1955, almost a month after the tragic accident that ended James Dean’s life, the film instantly became an icon of American cinema, capturing the essence of the rebellious youth of the time. Starring James Dean, Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo, the film left an indelible mark on popular culture. However, few are aware of the close relationship these three actors had with Jean Leon.
We know that James Dean and Jean Leon began to frequent each other during the time when Jean Leon worked at the Villa Capri Club, an Italian restaurant where Frank Sinatra was a partner and a meeting place for Hollywood actors and actresses in the early 1950s. It is not hard to imagine that at the same time Nathalie Wood and Sal Mineo, both new actors, like James Dean and also stars of the legendary film, frequented this Italian restaurant. It was James Dean himself who proposed to the Spaniard that they join forces to open their own restaurant, which Jean Leon accepted. James Dean’s tragic death in 1955 cut short their joint plans. However, Jean Leon decided to go ahead with their shared dream and in 1956 opened ‘La Scala’. This restaurant became an emblematic place, frequented by the biggest celebrities of the time.
Natalie Wood, one of Hollywood’s most beloved actresses, was a regular at La Scala. Her relationship with Jean Leon went beyond the professional; they were close friends. Natalie’s presence at the restaurant attracted other stars and cemented its reputation as a meeting place for Hollywood’s elite. Natalie Wood’s constant presence helped establish the restaurant as a hot spot. Her influence and charisma attracted a select clientele, making ‘La Scala’ a symbol of the golden age of cinema. This special relationship with Jean Leon was reflected in the restaurant’s own menu, where the creation of a ‘mostacciole’ dish was named after the actress. Unfortunately, we don’t know the recipe, but perhaps one day we will ask you to help us create it again.
Sal Mineo, known for his role in ‘Rebel Without a Cause’, also had a close relationship with Jean Leon. The two supported each other’s careers and shared a similar outlook on life and art. As with Marilyn Monroe, Jean Leon and Sal Mineo shared a difficult childhood and early youth, so it is not difficult to imagine them sharing experiences and connecting immediately. Thus, Sal Mineo also became a regular at ‘La Scala’. He must surely have been one of the most demanding customers of the restaurant’s Italian cuisine, as he himself was of Sicilian origin, although already born in the New York Bronx.
Interestingly, Sal Mineo also had a dish dedicated in his honour on the menu of Jean Leon’s restaurant: Sal Mineo’s veal scaloppini, for which, fortunately, we have the recipe. Scaloppini are thin fillets of veal, floured and fried, and then cooked in some kind of sauce. Sal Mineo scaloppini were meant to be an adaptation of scaloppini sorrentinos, which have basically the same ingredients.
And here we share their recipe with you so that you can replicate it at home:
SCALOPPINI
- Preheat the oven to 175 °C.
- Dredge the veal escalopes in flour in a frying pan and sauté until lightly browned.
- Layer each slice of veal with prosciutto, a little marinara sauce and mozzarella.
- Add white wine and chicken stock to the pan, then spoon a drop of marinara sauce over each slice of mozzarella.
- Season with salt and pepper, simmer for about 5 minutes, then transfer the pan to the oven.
- Cook until the mozzarella is melted and bubbling.
- Serve with potatoes, rice or pasta.
What we can also be very sure of is that Sal Mineo must have tasted his favourite dish with Jean Leon’s Cabernet Sauvignon, the first wine labelled with this variety produced in Spain and which continues to be produced today as Vinya Le Havre.
Currently, we can taste the 2020 vintage, which presents a small novelty, increasing the amount of Cabernet Franc in the blend by 5%, from the traditional 15% to 20%. The rest, as Jean Leon imagined it: aged to perfection for 12 months in 225-litre French and American oak barrels.
After James Dean’s death, Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo continued their careers and continued to support Jean Leon and his restaurant. Their constant presence at ‘La Scala’ helped to maintain the prestige of the place and attract new generations of stars. Interestingly, the two also met tragic ends, like their co-star, and Jean Leon outlived them.
James Dean, Nathalie Wood, Sal Mineo and Jean Leon, a deep friendship of a band of rebels, with a cause.
Cheers!
Sergi Castro, Jean Leon sommelier
