It may seem old and tired by now, but there’s a reason we all grow up knowing about “dinner and a movie” dates. Likely it was the first type of date you went on. Maybe going to the movies was how you could scope out cute kids from other schools. Although many of us can reminisce about the good ole’ days of dinner and a movie, it might not be our go-to date anymore. Now that Buffalo has so many new activities to try out, you might feel a little boring suggesting dinner and a movie.
Have no fear – the classic date is still here!
Since Buffalo has a wealth of movie theaters specializing in out-of-date, second-run, international, quirky, and downright unknown independent films, suggesting a dinner and a movie doesn’t mean you’ve thrown in the towel. It means you spent time looking for a way to break the Netflix and chill cycle while still keeping comfy in those lovely red chairs that theaters never fail to have. It means you can snuggle up during the movie, then go out after to have deep conversations about the mise-en-scène.
So for each weekend of the month, Step Out Buffalo has made a new kind of pairing – not of the wine and cheese or meat and beer varieties. A cool movie plus a creative restaurant choice means serious props to you.
Film: The American Side
North Park Theatre, 1428 Hertel Ave.
Showtimes: Wed 4/27 at 4:30 and 9:45, Thurs 4/28 at 4:30pm
northparktheatre.org
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Restaurant: (716) Food and Sport
Harbor Center, 7 Scott St., Buffalo
Although Buffalo has a vibrant independent film community, our selection of widely important films is pretty slim. Off the top of my head, Buffalo features big in only a few well-known films like Bruce Almighty, Buffalo ’66, and of course, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
The American Side can now be added to that list.
Last weekend North Park Theatre hosted the world premiere of The American Side, starring Matthew Broderick, Janeane Garofalo, Robert Forster, Camilla Belle, and Greg Stuhr (also expect to see members of Buffalo’s own theatre and film community!). The film continues to play into the middle of this week.
The film is a modern-day noir bringing to mind Hitchcock and conspiracy thrillers, but also has a strong comedic element. The story of The American Side begins in 1943 when inventor Nikola Tesla died in the New Yorker Hotel. The government comes to seize everything, but a few things are already gone. Flash forward to modernity and detective Charlie Paczynski is on the hunt for the lost design of Tesla after his partner is caught in a blackmail scheme.
Beef on Weck at 716 / Step Out Buffalo
The American Side was filmed on location in Buffalo and Niagara Falls so it’s only fitting that after the movie you go out for the most iconic of Buffalo foods – the chicken wing. While the debate still rages on as to whether Anchor Bar or Duff’s wears the crown of best wings, (716) Food and Sport gives both a run for their money. I’m not at all a sports fanatic, but even I seriously enjoy a dinner and drinks night out at (716). The food and drinks are good enough that even the most un-interested-in-sports-person-ever will be distracted from the millions of televisions encapsulating the restaurant.
To go with the wings, (716) offers up their own iterations on local cuisine including roast beef on weck, blue cheese chips (amazing), poutine (a dish from our neighbors to the north), and fish and chips.
For anyone hosting out-of-town visitors, (716) is in a prime location to introduce the city to guests – right next to Canalside, a short walk from the Cobblestone District, and a hop, skip, and jump to downtown’s most beautiful buildings.
You can have a whole danged Buffalo-themed day.
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