Submitted by Melissa Howsam — Correspondent
This week check out Jason "ACE" Kowalewski! Shakin' up sips for his pops since his salad days, the Big-Apple-bred bartender's been bangin' out bevs in the Bull City for the past five years — before landing this May at ever-popular craft-brew and live-jam hot spot Broad Street Cafe. A self-described "craftsman," this doer is diverse in his deft, stretching his savvy from a third-degree black belt stint as celeb bodyguard, to a more stylish-belt stretch as decade-long fashion-guru exec. Burned out on the trend trade, he bounced to the Bull City — where he had previously met his later-to-be wife on a visit to his already relocated fam — and worked for a time as fashion consultant for "Durham Magazine," while topping-off his takings by 'tending. Not surprisingly, this lover of craft, fell in love with the craft of cocktail. When he's not slingin' sips, find the riflin' jack of all trades out shootin', collecting or refurbing pieces - or even out getting' happy like Gilmore on the green. A family man hailing from a legacy of good, hardworking men, this loyal "hand"-yman keeps his nose to the grind: "I believe there should be less talk, because it is cheap," he says. "While at work, keep your head down, and keep grinding. Be an ambassador to your establishment. Always carry yourself with dignity. Those are values instilled in me by my dad and grandfather." Sounds like a good stand-up guy who's bar is worth taking a seat at.
Q&A
Hometown: Manhattan. I lived there for 11 years. NYC has a habit of getting in your bones. If you can make it there, you can grind it out anywhere!
How you landed at Broad Street: A friend was managing there, and brought me aboard. He left, and I stayed.
Broad Street in a word: Family.
What Broad Street brings to the Bull City: Original home of great live music, support for local craft beers, plus a great micro selection and an amazing chef that makes great foods.
Your go-to bev: A cold original Coors (I'm a simple beer guy; too much ABV gives me migraines).
Drink you could make upside down and blindfolded with a monkey on your back: Bourbon or Rye Manhattan. Learned to make it for my Dad when I was 10!
You're anywhere you want to be right now. Where can we find you? Restoring a gun, or building something with my hands.
Which of your coworkers are you most likely to drunk text? NONE; my Wife would have me like John Bobbitt, looking for my manhood in a cornfield! (laughs)
If they made a movie about your life, who would play your significant other? Natalie Portman, but with an attitude like she had in 'The Professional." My wife is a tough girl!!
If you could create a fictional place to live in, what would it be like? No drama, peaceful and quiet. Lots of cold beer. Fast bikes, old cars, loud guns. Plenty of "projects" for me to work on!
Occupation you probably had in your past life: Well, I had a dream job for 11 years. I was an executive in the fashion industry. I started out in sales, and finished as a creative director, and a VP of sales. I got burned out!!
Something you believed as a kid you realized was a hoax: Snipe Hunting. A friend actually convinced me that banging a pot with a wooden spoon in a field with a pillowcase would attract these mythical "Snipes." Boy was I a sucker!!
Trip you'd empty your savings to take: Italy, around Lake Cuomo. Breathtaking...
First book you remember: "The Crow and the Pitcher." It had some other parables in it as well.
Movie you'd be late to work for, even if you have it memorized: "Coming to America." I know every word.
The last thing that made you want to run red lights to get to: My wife's graduation from Watts School of Nursing.
If you didn't know better, you'd think this song was written about you: "Big Bad Leroy Brown."
A pop culture phenomenon you could live without: Pointless reality TV (not related to cars, motorcycles, stunts, guns or hunting stuff, of course).
Biggest celeb moment has been: Before I got into fashion, I was a bodyguard. I had worked for a lot of principals. I would have to say Ang Lee ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon").
A book that made you want to be a better person: "BUSHIDO: The Code of the Samurai," by Inazo Nitobe. I'm openly obsessed with the Japanese culture.
A piece of advice you got that's good enough to pass on: Life is like a jar of jalapenos. ... What you do today, can burn you in the but tomorrow!
Something from the last decade that stuck with you: Being polite and courteous. It's how I was raised — old-fashioned. I don't see it in most people anymore.
Hidden talent: I am a third-degree black belt in Goshin Jitsu and a good golfer who is a long driver.
Weakness: Bullets and junk food.
If we paid you enough, you'd: Endorse the Shake Weight in a pink thong while eating a corn dog on TV!
Most ridiculous thing you've been asked to do while bartending? I refuse to entertain stupid people. I tell them, "I'm not Tom Cruise, and this isn't 'Cocktail.' What would you like to drink?"
Something that makes you want to poke people in the eye: Making me repeat myself.
What one thing do you wish you could tell people about patronizing any bar? Please tip the bartender at least 20%!!
If you're not at work, you're most likely: Relaxing at home watching a movie, or working out.
Other bars in the Triangle you have worked: Alivia's Durham Bistro and The Republic Lounge. Jason says come to Broad Street Cafe because: "You can listen to free live music, have great drinks and eat delicious food, but not feel like you got robbed. Plus, I'm there so BONUS!"
