From his earliest days as a Drafthouse chef, film lover John Bullington had set his creative sights on the biggest classic monkey movie of all time: King Kong. “As soon as I heard Peter Jackson was doing a remake, I started imagining menus,” he says. With Jackson’s Kong set to debut in the late fall, Bullington and Drafthouse co-owner Tim League discussed the possibility of scheduling the two previous Kong incarnations from 1933 and 1976 in anticipation of the new film. A common thread in all three movies is the discovery of a mighty ape in a tropical island paradise, providing inspiration for an island luau menu with plenty of bananas. As Bullington imagines it now, the ultimate four-course King Kong experience will begin with a whole roasted suckling pig carried into the theatre on the shoulders of waiters. After succulent slices of pork are served by the chefs in the theatre, the remaining courses will emerge from the kitchen during the film. Watch for scheduling and ticket info later this fall at www.originalalamo.com.
Whole Roast Suckling Pig
Shitake Coconut Curry Soup
Crimson Snapper Steamed in Banana Leaves With Scallions and Lemongrass in a Banana Chile Sauce; Chinese Black Rice and Gingery Snow Peas
Baby Bananas Fried in a Coconut Crust on Top of Mango Upside Down Cake With Pineapple Jus
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Watch the Drafthouse Web site to see when or if either of these menus will be repeated during the scheduled run of the film.The Chocolate Feast
Shrimp Mole on Blue Corn Tostadas With Queso Fresco – Vinium Chenin BlancArugula Salad With Chocolate Balsamic Vinaigrette and Parsnip Hay – Wildhorse Pinot Noir
Cocoa Roast Chicken With Red Chile Sauce, Asparagus, Basil Basmati Rice – Trinitaf Petit Syrah
Chocolate Orgasm: Chocolate Pound Cake Topped With Mocha Phyllo, Chocolate Ice Cream, Chocolate Mousse, and Chocolate Ganache – Deco Chocolate Wine
Violet Beauregard’s Chewing Gum Meal
Cream of Tomato Soup With Chives
Peppercorn Roast Beef With herb au jus
Baked Potato and Sour Cream
Blueberry Pie and hot cream
The Hobbit Feast: Seven Meals to Rule Them All
A marathon screening of the Lord of the Rings trilogy with meals served at all seven Hobbit eating times! Sunday, Aug. 21, 10:30am, Alamo Drafthouse Downtown; tickets on sale nowFirst Breakfast: Fresh Hen Eggs, ice Crispy Bacon, Grilled Mushrooms and Orange Juice
Second Breakfast: Strawberries and Cream
Elevensies: Pan-Seared Sausage and Tomatoes With Cheeses, Cabbage, and Pickles
Luncheon: Braised Spareribs With Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Carrots
Afternoon Tea: Baby Greens With Garlic Blackberry Vinaigrette, Cheese Herb Galette, Tea Cookies
Dinner: Stewed Coney (rabbit) With Taters, Carrots, and Leeks; Fresh Garden Herbs With Crusty Bread
Supper: Swirl of Tomato and Spinach Soup With Wild Mushroom Croutons, Apple Pie, Lembas Bread as Needed
This article appears in August 5 • 2005.