I spoke with him about amaro once. He had what I think of as a food writer’s knowledge and interest in the topic. By which I mean, he knew Fernet Branca was popular in San Francisco and that was about it. He was nice, low-key, and easy to talk with the time I met him.
Had the opportunity to meet him in January of 2008 at a BBQ in Grand Cayman. Really nice guy, enjoying his young daughter. I think he liked beer…and cigarettes.
Fast forward 10 years, sitting in front of the condo in Grand Cayman and Tony and his girlfriend are walking down the beach really enjoying their privacy. On his walk back to the Ritz, a guy comes over trying to take his picture, he asks him not to with his hands together. I think what he both loved and hated was the popularity that he achieved along with the lack of privacy…
That’s fame in a nutshell!