Reality on a Plate with Sergiu Negreanu

reality on a plate is a new publishing feature series that, in response to member requests, allows individuals to dive deeper into the experiences of others before attending our events, fostering a sense of familiarity and connection.

Lawyer by day, cyclist by heart, and self-proclaimed summer romantic, he speaks with us about the delicate balance between career and joy, the simple pleasures of food, and the soulful art of embracing life as it comes.

tell us a bit about your upbringing. how do you think it shaped who you are today

I grew up in Bucharest, in Drumul Taberei, which had a kind of romantic feeling when I was a kid. Afternoons meant football after school, kids playing outside until sunset, homework, reading, and, of course, homemade food. Like many in the neighbourhood, I was raised by my grandparents.

I was fortunate to have my family and a few important teachers and mentors along the way who modelled the idea that steady effort matters more than short bursts of brilliance. That mindset translated into every aspect of my life. I believe that showing up each day, being resilient, and respecting your work can lead to great things. 

Basketball was another important chapter, lasting ten years from fifth grade onward. It taught me the value of a team, of reciprocity, and once again, of hard work.

what does your morning routine look like

I wake up early and the first thing I do is kiss my wife Ruxi, I hope you’re reading this

..and stretch for a couple of minutes.

Stretching is not always serious, as our dog, Mura, is also waking up at the same time. If the weather is nice, I’ll step outside or at least open the window. Getting a bit of light makes me feel like the day has really started. These first quiet moments also let me prioritise the most important tasks of the day. 

My first coffee of the day is at work, black and without sugar, often shared with a colleague. 

One rule I like to apply is to finish at least one important task by noon. This is my way of controlling the day. If something unexpected comes up, at least I know I achieved something meaningful in the first part of the day. 

what drew you to law

I’ll be very honest. I went to Mihai Viteazu High School, which at the time was entirely focused on mathematics and IT. I loved the structure of maths, even if I wasn’t especially talented once things got more advanced. At the same time, I was drawn to history and literature, so law felt like a natural path — often described as the mathematics of the social sciences. My father is also a lawyer, which may have been an unconscious influence.

what’s something your work has taught you about human nature

A big part of my work involves negotiating contracts, and that teaches you a lot about human nature. I’ve learned that people respond best when you genuinely try to understand where they’re coming from and work toward a win-win solution. Pushing too aggressively for your own position usually backfires, while empathy and balance tend to lead to better outcomes for everyone.

what are your days like now

Structured chaos. I start the morning with sport, then go straight into legal work — drafting contracts, client calls, negotiations. Lunch is either with colleagues at the office or at a nearby bistro. Afternoons often run late into the evening, but I always end the day with my wife, watching a movie or sharing a glass of wine. Balance matters.

you mentioned food before. what’s your earliest food memory

French fries with fried eggs — sunny side up. Nothing fancy, but to me it’s the ultimate comfort food. It takes me straight back to childhood, when that simple plate meant warmth, home, and the feeling that everything was alright. Maybe that’s why it’s still my favourite today.

tell us a little about the food of your childhood. how did it influence your taste

Food in my childhood was less about recipes and more about moments. I remember the smell of fresh bread from the bakery that I would eat while it was still warm, or my grandmother’s sarmale, which somehow tasted better when the whole family was gathered around the table. Summers meant the countryside in Transylvania, with cherries, plums, cheese, and sun-warmed tomatoes.

Those memories shaped my taste. I don’t chase complicated flavours; I look for food that feels real, comforting, and connected to a story. For me, a good meal is one that makes you slow down and remember who you’re sharing it with.

do you have essential kitchen tools you swear by

We keep things pretty simple in the kitchen: a good chef’s knife, a sturdy cutting board, and a quality pan are our essentials. Oh, and two more things: the grater for parmigiano, which my wife, loves, and the corkscrew for a good bottle of red wine. 

any favorite local spots for food

Noua is my favourite restaurant experience. The people there, guided by Alex Petricean, are incredibly passionate about what they do, and it shows on the plate. They can take you on a culinary journey like no other. 

Unico Vero is also high on our list for the moments when we want to enjoy Italian food in a beautiful garden. 

Bucataria.localfood is a go-to spot close to home. It gives us the feeling of a home-cooked meal, with a modern touch and the comfort of a restaurant. 

which cycling route surprised you the most with its beauty

In 2018, I took part in (and finished) L’Étape du Tour, which is a major amateur competition. Each year, they choose a difficult stage of the Tour de France and recreate it for amateurs. It was one of the toughest races I’ve ever done, 170 kilometres with more than 3,500 metres of climbing, all within a tight deadline. The stage started in Annecy and finished in Le Grand-Bornand. To make things even harder, I hadn’t planned the way back to the hotel, so after the finish line I had to cycle another 40 kilometres just to get home. 

I remember that at the end of one of the big climbs, high up in the mountains, I saw a crystal-clear blue lake. Maybe it was a combination of the effort and the beauty of nature, but it made me cry for a couple of seconds.

can you tell us about a memorable meal

The huge plate of pasta they served after the competition in France.

what are you reading and listening to these days

Right now I’m reading Victory City by Salman Rushdie and Soarele Negru by Bogdan Alexandru Stanescu. I listen to Lex Fridman’s podcast on my way to work, almost every day. There’s something about hearing smart people talk about their lives and the current state of affairs in their fields that makes me think outside the box and approach my legal problems more easily. 

On my way back from work, it’s music. My Spotify playlist is very eclectic, so I can easily jump from indie rock (Arctic Monkeys, Fontaines D.C.) to minimal house (Priku and the Romanian minimal guys). Some of my Spotify playlists are public, so I’ll let them speak for themselves. Still, I always go back to Nick Cave, The Beatles, and Sixto Rodriguez, who are constant presences in my headphones. 

what in your life are you a beginner at these days

I’m glad you asked. Recently I realised that one of the best feelings for me is to be a beginner at something. There’s something about a fresh start and the endless possibilities that really excites me. 

I am a beginner at entrepreneurship. About a year and a half ago, Mihai Dudoiu  and I opened our law firm, Legal Ground. Since then, other close connections have joined as partners, and now we’re working to grow it into a community of highly skilled legal professionals. The biggest challenge is to grow at a pace that doesn’t compromise quality — something we’ve managed so far and are determined to keep improving.

you seem to live a pretty full life. what helps you stay present

Time flies, and I find that being present makes it feel like it passes more slowly. I try to really listen to my friends, my family, and the communities I’m part of. Summer is the best teacher — it reminds you to be outside, to look up, to move slower.

One day, I’d like to give up the smartphone altogether and go back to a simple phone that only makes calls and sends SMS.

we see your wife often on your Instagram. there’s a real sense of warmth and joy between you two. how has your relationship shaped the way you move through life

Since I met her, my life has had so much more colour. It’s as if the building was there before, but now it’s fully decorated. 

She’s in all the best parts of my life, not just the photos. What you see online is real — the laughter, the little rituals, the way we explore the world together. She brings softness to my otherwise structured, sometimes rigid life. I tend to rely a lot on reason, and she reminds me to lead with heart as well.

last question: how would you describe your life in one sentence

A balancing act between demanding, structured work and the love, family, food, music, and everyday beauty that keep me grounded.

all images provided by Ruxandra & Sergiu Negreanu

Editors Gabriela Calitoiu & Alinz