My Diseased Mind

Last Night At The Alamo Drafthouse (Part 1)

On June 27th, I attended the final night of the original Alamo Draft House in Austin, TX. I was fortunate enough to obtain tickets for the entire triple feature of Big Night, Earthquake, and Night Warning. It included a 6-course Italian feast during Big Night, hard hats during Earthquake, and a Q&A with Susan Tyrrell before and after Night Warning. To top it off, my tickets included 4 of the seats from the theater.

Part 1 — Big Night

We got into the theater about 45 minutes before the first feature of the night. In line, we were asked to sign waivers (more on that in Part 2), and we collected our gifts for the evening. Each ticketholder received a commemorative poster and a sealed envelope containing the menu card for the feast and a 1/2”, 7/16” wrench to be used at the end of the night for seat removal.

The first movie was Big Night. It’s the story of 2 Italian immigrant brothers (Stanley Tucci & Tony Shahloub), who run a failing restaurant in 1950’s New York. Desperate for any kind of lift they can provide for their flagging business, they turn to a rival, who agrees to help them out by sending a celebrity friend over to give the place some good press. The brothers prepare a huge feast, and set about readying the restaurant for their VIP’s arrival.

While we watched the movie, we were served the feast:

Chicken Consomme’, paired with Feudi de San Gregorio, Fiano di Avellino, Italy 2004

Il Risotto – A trio of seafood, truffle, and spinach risottos, paired with Bottega Vinaio, Pinot Grigio, Terntino, Italy 2005

Il Timpano – A heavenly drum of pasta filled with penne, egg, sausages, salami, parmesan, mozzarella, and fontina baked to golden perfection, paired with Casa Dreolino, Chianti, Rufina, Italy 2004

Salmon with Meyer lemon, roast tomatoes with basil, and artichokes with radicchio, paired with Poderi Colla, Dolcetto D’Alba, Italy 2005

Roast suckling pig with cherries and blood orange, poussin with grape sauce, beets with sage, roast garlic with rosemary, sweet and new potatoes, paired with Sette Ponti, Crongnolo, Tuscany, Italy 2004

Meringue cookie with mascarpone, fresh fruit and nuts, paired with Casalnova, Prosecco, Veneto, Italy NV

Yeah, I cheated and copied this from the menu card. I’m not even entirely sure what it all is. It was dark, and I ate it. It all fuckin’ rocked, but the timpano rocked hardest. It was the Wolverine to the rest of the feast’s X-Men.

Tomorrow: Earthquake