As the Chicago Film Festival gets under way, there will be many opportunities for meaty post-film discussions about the themes, stars, directors and stories and what the heck all those foreign films are supposed to mean, anyway. We’ve chosen four of the festival’s most prominent films and events and offer appropriate restaurant pairings for post-film ponderings.
“Stranger Than Fiction”: This quirky, opening-night film stars Will Ferrell as an IRS auditor in Chicago whose life is controlled by an author played by Emma Thompson. When he is called upon to audit a sassy, non-taxpaying baker/cafe owner played by Maggie Gyllenhaal, Ferrell falls in love. We’ve similarly fallen in love with the playful and delicious confections by Stephanie Samuels at her Angel Food Bakery (1636 W. Montrose Ave.; 773-728-1512). Try her Twinkie-ish (but heavier) “Airstream,” the chocolate whoopie pie and her gooey, but not-too-sweet caramel apple brioche. Almost as delicious are her made-to-order sandwiches and salads and dark, rich coffee drinks in this sunny and cheery cafe.
“Babel”: This film, directed by Mexican filmmaker Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, deals with events in the United States, Mexico and Japan. The mix reminded us of all the Latino sushi chefs we have in town, our favorite being veteran Mexican sushi chef Robert Pina at Midori Japanese Restaurant (3310 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.; 773-267-9733). We love the fresh sushi, hearty noodles and big portions–but mostly that the North Park neighborhood is so untrendy that parking is never a problem.
Liza Minnelli — Her Films, Her Life: Gay icon and star of the film “Cabaret” will sit for a one-on-one chat with Times of London critic John Russell Taylor on Oct. 17 in the Thorne Auditorium. And we can think of no better place to cattily dissect it afterward than at the Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club (3700 N. Halsted St.; 773-525-1111). Scantily clad guys serve martinis in tiny tuxedos on some afternoons, and other servers dress up and perform as Bette Davis or Rita Hayworth.
“Venus”: This closing-night film stars Peter O’Toole as man in his 70s who falls in love with a 19-year-old girl. Since we can’t think of any good restaurants called Lolita, we thought we’d go with Venus Greek-Cypriot Cuisine, (820 W. Jackson Blvd.; 312-714-1001). While the menu may initially seem like other Greektown fare, a closer look reveals a lot more pork, and more. Check out porky dishes such as afelia cooked in wine and coriander, pork meatballs in yogurt and pork tips. Also try meats cooked in foil, saganaki using the famous Cypriot cheese halloumi, and salads sprinkled with cilantro.
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