PLEASE DONATE
Posted on 07/19/2011 1:53:48 AM PDT by Cronos
"My grandfather was the first member of our family to know him," said Salvatore J. Scognamillo, the current chef and co-owner of Patsy's.
Pasquale "Patsy" Scognamillo -- had co-owned a restaurant.. The young Sinatra was brought in one day by his boss, bandleader Tommy Dorsey. "I've got this skinny kid from Hoboken," Dorsey reportedly told Patsy Scognamillo. "Fatten him up."
Sinatra swiftly became an international singing idol ... Patsy, meanwhile...opened Patsy's. Both men -- were doing well for themselves
But in the early 1950s, Sinatra's career crashed. He was no longer a kid. ...The winner suddenly was being widely seen as a loser, washed up.."He would come in to the restaurant alone for lunch,..
One November, on the day before Thanksgiving, Sinatra asked Patsy if he would make him a solo reservation for the next day.
The restaurant was scheduled to be closed on Thanksgiving. But Patsy didn't tell Sinatra that; he told him that he'd make the reservation for 3 p.m. He didn't want Sinatra to know that he was opening especially for him, so he invited the families of the restaurant's staff to come in for dinner, too. He cooked for Sinatra, on that solitary holiday, and it wasn't until years later that Sinatra found out.
That's where the loyalty came from. That's why Sinatra never stopped coming to the restaurant. In later years, when Patsy's would be jammed with diners hoping to get a glimpse of him, few understood why the most famous singer in the world would single out one place as his constant favorite.
Who remembers a kindness that comes when kindnesses are in short supply? Who most treasures being made to feel welcome when every door seems to be slamming shut?
In the wee small hours of the morning, only the lonely.
(Excerpt) Read more at edition.cnn.com ...
Thank you, Cronos!
Mrs. Prince of Space
Good story.
Nifty story
Great story, thanks.I hope it is true. ;-)
BFL
clevah
There’s another story I’ve heard about Sinatra’s loyalty, and it concerns Tommy Dorsey. It’s not quite so heartwarming.
I had a grandfather who was a cop in Detroit during the 30's 40's and 50's. He told a story of when he was working "vice" and one night they raided the restaurant of a Chinese man who was allegedly running a gambling ring in the back of the restaurant. During the course of the raid, my grandfather found a huge wad of money that had been thrown into a washtub in an attempt to conceal it. Rather than turn it over for evidence, he kept it and returned it to the Chinese man several days later.....
From that day on, the Chinese man sent my grandfather and grandmother a huge centerpiece of flowers every Christmas until he died......
Thanks for sharing! Sinatra was the man!
I particularly like this because I just made reservations at Patsy’s. I’m taking my nephew to see “War Horse” next week and this restuarant is not far from Lincoln Center.
I’ve always loved Patsys. Rush Limbaugh is a fan, too.
Patsys: when are you going to bring back the potato risolles?
I meant “restaurant,” not “restuarant.”
oh, I just tawt it waz a Noo york accent :-P
Sinatra had his shortcomings, as did we all. He cheated on his wife, and I heard a few stories about him and Tommy Dorsey.
But as time went on, I think he learned a few things, and he does seemed to have stood by people even when it wasn’t popular. He was instrumental in breaking the color barrier in entertainment, for instance. His friends were loyal to him, and he to them.
Reuben Tishkoff: [to Bank about being double-crossed] There’s a code amongst guys who shook Sinatra’s hand!
He was extravagantly generous to those he was friends with, as well....he did have many good qualities, as a human being. (He was also the chair of Reagan’s inaugural balls in 80 and 84).
But in his music, he was really flawless. My goodness.
He was like a father to Ron Jr.?
I believe on story has it that Sinatra wouldn’t open in Vegas until they allowed Lena Horn to enter through the front doors.
Did more than Jessie and Rev. Al combined with that single act.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.