The Mixologists – James Lorance

If you have explored the fine dining scene in Salem you are sure to have come across James Lorance who holds court behind the grand arching bar of DaVinci Ristorante. The bar at DaVinci is as much a command center as a bar, greeting everyone who enters and serving two floors of Salem’s longest-running fine dining establishment. Behind the bar, James is the captain, always meticulous in his preparation and near military precision in his appearance, perfectly complementing the refined décor he oversees.

For all his presence and showmanship in bartending, James is surprisingly quiet on a personal level and confesses that bartending is a way to force himself out of his shell. He has been in the food and beverage service industry since he was 19, but not always as a bartender. When the opportunity arose, “I recognized that it was outside of my comfort zone to be out front and on the stage. Knowing I needed to push myself, I stepped behind the bar.”

As a dominating feature, James bears two large Christian crosses on his forearms. Like dark holy bracers, your eyes go between flashing crystal glass and the full-arm crosses as he displays more flair than many area bartenders. From actively flipping a bottle to abruptly transitioning to a near motionless Wing Chun master maximizing efficiency with minimal movement, his actions are framed by religious icons and command attention. As to the crosses themselves, he will never bring them up but acknowledges: “They are a statement of faith and opportunity to bear witness.”  

He is dedicated to his faith with a strong personal relationship to God, though that was not always the case. For a time, James worked at several night clubs and saw elements attached to his profession that were both enticing but also destructively seductive and contrary to his core beliefs. Questioning his role in the industry, he considered walking away from bartending.  

“Nightclubs, alcoholic beverages, cocktails and ‘the life’ can be a vehicle for abuse,” he said. “In the end, I realized that there were ways to focus on the positives and I left the environments where a destructive lifestyle dominated. Working at DaVinci provides a much more positive environment for me and my customers, but I remain aware of my responsibility in serving.” 

As for any advice to those that may want to enter the profession, James recommends, “Work at Olive Garden or Applebee’s, one of the national corporate chains. They provide the training you need. If you can’t make it there, you will have a hard time anywhere.”

When not bartending, James fulfills his primary role of father and in his free time focuses on fitness and general wellness pursuits. Though not working in the field, he is a licensed personal trainer. “The job is draining. I enjoy it, but it but at the end of the day my energy is gone. I have to stay in shape and focus on wellness and nutrition so that I can provide the energy the job demands and my customers deserve.”

As to his favorite cocktails, for personal enjoyment, he admits to enjoying a white tequila or a rye whiskey, neat and straight. For cocktails to make for others, “I am always a fan of the classics, spirit-forward cocktails made with masterful and precise technique.”  When pressured to find just one, the response is “The Old Fashioned.” 

The Lorance Old Fashioned 

½ oz. Oleo-Saccharum, a citrus-infused 1 to 1 simple syrup
2 oz. rye
3 dashes of bitters

Stir with ice and strain into a chilled glass with fresh ice.
Serve with a cherry and rolled orange peel.

This story originally ran in Press Play Salem issue 8 (Aug/Sep 2019)

Author: The Instigator