Dinner and a Movie
This summer, New Brunswick Citymarket will present great films at the Crossroads Theater, right next door. Do you remember when going to the movies did not involve fighting your way into the 37-plex? Crossroads is one grand theater featuring one great film at a time.
The movies are presented at 6:30 and tickets are $9. The bar opens at 5:30 and we’ll mix a featured cocktail each evening that is thematically connected to the film. If you choose to dine with us, we’ll buy your ticket to the show!
Here is the great list of feature films and corresponding cocktails.
July 21st - Citizen Kane
Orson Wells’ Epic has been called “the greatest film of all time.” It certainly redefined the genre. It’s a gripping and grandiose tale of media mogul Charles Foster Kane. The famous opening scene is Kane at his death bed, holding the famous snow globe and muttering “rosebud.” The rest of the film is a search for the meaning of that famous last word. Even when the film has completely unfolded, people have debated the true meaning of “rosebud” and of the film since 1941.
The Rosebud Cocktail
This has nothing to do with the film whatsoever, but The Rosebud Cocktail is delicious nonetheless. It was invented by Jeff Hollinger and Rob Schwartz and appears in their excellent book, The Art of The Bar. I’ve been looking for an excuse to use Rose Water and here I’ve found it. It’s an unlikely combination of tequila and very special Italian vermouth with rose water. It may not offer any insight as to the meaning of the film, but it’s yummy.
July 31st - Some Like it Hot
Marilyn Monroe stars at the height of her seductive powers with Jack Lemon and Tony Curtis. Jack and Tony are forced to join an all-girl band to escape the mob and madcap adventures ensue. Okay, not every movie need be as deep as Citizen Kane. The movie is funny and Marilyn Monroe is hot!
The Tomato Kiss
I’ve always loved variations on the spicy bloody mary. I’ve perfected the spicy bloody bull, the spicy virgin mary and the spicy oyster mary. Somehow, I view these as more of a morning libation. In The Art of the Bar, Hollinger and Schwartz have authored a spicy tomato cocktail more appropriate for evening consumption; and what’s more, it’s perfectly seasonal. The Tomato Kiss employs tomatoes, cilantro, tequila, lime and habanero pepper in a shaken, up-cocktail that is not to be missed. If you do like it hot, you will like The Tomato Kiss.
August 14 - Rear Window
Who can not love Jimmy Stewart? In Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window, he stars with Grace Kelly and watches as a tale of murder unfolds; or maybe it doesn’t. It was nominated for two Oscars in 1959 and really benefits from the big screen.
The Vertigo Cocktail
It’s a bit of a stretch, but I could not come up with any cocktail related to Rear Window. The closest I can come is an excellent cocktail called a Vertigo, which is the name of another Hitchcock movie starring Jimmy Stewart. The connection might be dubious but the cocktail is delicious on a summer night. I’m not sure who invented The Vertigo but I wish it had been me. It’s an unlikely combination of fresh lemonade topped with the Italian bitter Averna in a highball glass. My humble contribution to the recipe is utilize crushed ice, and leave the Averna layered on top; thereby providing a dynamic beverage that changes as you consume it. It’s also pretty.
August 28th - Ferris Bueller's Day Off
The film needs no introduction. You couldn’t have more fun at the movies.
Cocktail
Okay I give up. I can’t come up with a cocktail for Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. What’s more, I’m afraid of naming a cocktail a after high school movie. I don’t want to get on the wrong side of Mother’s Against Drunk Driving. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is good clean fun. Of course, I always prefer to have a cocktail or two before engaging in anything too wholesome so on August 28th, we’ll discount your first drink 1/3 if you’re going to the film. We will also buy your movie ticket if you choose to dine with us in either restaurant. Great stuff!
**We will discount $9 off your check in exchange for your valid ticket stub. Each ticket stub discount requires the purchase of an entrée.