What’s in the box?
Hungry movie-goers will discover the answer to that question seven times over at a special screening of the crime thriller “Seven” at Alamo Drafthouse on Jan. 30. While watching the 1995 film about a serial killer who gruesomely bumps off those guilty of the Seven Deadly Sins, viewers can indulge in a seven-course “mystery meal,” delivered in seven cardboard boxes reminiscent of the one in the film’s infamous final scene. The cooks at Alamo came up with the idea while discussing their love for the David Fincher-directed film, said the chef behind the meal.
“It seemed like a crazy idea to do a ‘what’s in the box’ dinner,” said Ronnie New, who lives in Prospect Heights. “We all love this film, and this uncanny mystery dinner seemed like a novel idea. The goal of the dinner is to have the guest walk in with a blank slate, and you kind of find out the mystery along with the detectives.”
The mystery meal had an initial try-out at the San Francisco branch of the Alamo Drafthouse in 2015, when New was a chef there, and he refined the meal based on the lessons from that screening.
“I learned that it’s a shorter movie than you think,” he laughed.
Each of the mystery dishes is based on one of the Seven Deadly Sins, and will be served when its corresponding sin is introduced onscreen. The first dish may be a challenge, since it comes directly after the grotesque scene for gluttony, but New is confident that viewers will be able to get it down.
“The way we’re pitching this is to very adventurous, open eaters,” he said. “People who are willing and able to eat anything.”
And though seven dishes may seem like a lot, viewers should not feel like gluttons by the end, said New.
“It’s definitely a tasting menu — the first few courses are just a few bites,” he said. “But you definitely need to come hungry.”
The menu will also feature some recommended beer and wine pairings, not included in the $70 ticket.
Alamo hopes to offer more elaborate movie meals each month, said New, including an upcoming Valentine’s Day dinner for the romantic film “Call Me By Your Name.”
“Se7en Mystery Dinner” at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema [445 Albee Square West between Fulton and Willoughby streets Downtown, (718) 513–2547, www.draft