Food, drink and a movie is a great way to spend time with friends!  We joined 2 other couples to put on a Date Night dinner and a movie for some other friends. The inspiration for our party came from “Big Night,” a wonderful flick about a small Italian restaurant and its final attempt to stay open.

In the movie, plate after plate of delicious food comes poring out of the kitchen.  Our chef Paul, attempted, and succeeded, in creating a similar experience, including the masterpiece Timpáno.

Our night started with cocktails and music. A wonderful collection of music, from the soundtrack of Big Night.  From “Mambo Italiano” to Paul Anka’s modern classics with a twist.  You have got hear hear his version of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit“.

The wine was pored and enjoyed

The salad served

Next came the polenta and Shrimp

and of course the Timpáno!

After the main course, our guests (slowly) moved out to the garden to watch the movie on the Big Screen.

Afagoto with homemade Biscotti finished off a perfect night

 Big Tips for your Dinner and a Movie Night

• Divide responsibilities for each part of the night to different people. I (FunFlicks) provided the screen.
• Grab some close friends to host, you will have as much fun in the kitchen as your guests
• Make a rough plan for timing of the night taking into account each aspect of the night.  If hosting a movie outdoors look at what time the sun sets and what time you would like the movie to end (and your guests leave) and work backward from there.
• Try to provide service, fill water glasses, wine, serve the food and clear dishes
• If you are serving cocktails and other drinks, have someone act as a designated driver, to pickup and drop off your guests
• We connected a second screen indoors for when the night turned cool