A feast for the eyes: Grub in the movies

A great number of films have featured the most mouthwatering montages of gustatory spectacles, from jovial afternoon feasts to quiet dinners to midnight raids of the fridge for a comforting tub of ice cream. The following movies remind us that the best of human experience were courtesy of good food:

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Nora Ephron's classic tale "When Harry Met Sally" has nothing much to do about cooking and eating, but it nonetheless introduced viewers to arguably the best turkey sandwich. Hordes of movie fans then and now have wondered if it indeed tasted so good that Meg Ryan had to moan the way she did after taking a bite. Katz's Delicatessen, purveyor of the now classic sandwich, still hangs a sign at the spot where the iconic scene was shot, which says, "Hope you have what she had! Enjoy!"

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But far more hunger inducing was Ephron's silverscreen rendering of "Julie and Julia". A festive visual account of how food connected two different worlds, the film delectably captured the joys of life through cooking and dealing with a lot of butter, as French cooking legend Julia Child called for in most of her dishes.

Behind the scenes, food stylist Colin Flynn intimately followed Child's specifications for boeuf bourguignon, The Queen of Sheba cake, and most other recipes. "But then there was a lobster thermidor," he told Smithsonian.com, "and we used potatoes instead, because nobody wants to sit in front of lobster and have to eat it take after take." In real life, however, many would not mind gorging heaps of tender crustacean meat, corn, and potatoes on the side.

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How about the calories? "Groundhog Day" reminds everyone that if one gets trapped in the dilemma of reliving the same day over and over, then bring on all the glazed doughnuts. And when a loved one asks about the love handles, the thing is to gobble up a hefty slice of angel food cake to show it's never a cause for worry.  

Entrepreneur Brent Brown and his latest venture Latitude 360 offers CineGrille, a cinema that combines great food and spectacular onscreen entertainment for a complete leisure experience. Know more about the amazing offerings of Latitude 360 through this website.

Loving the nightlife: A sampler of world's best dinner and amusement spots

Whether you're out on a business trip or on a holiday, or you just want to wash out the stress that comes with eight-hour workdays, don't you just love to cap the night off traipsing the streets to look for the best of what the city offers? Consider yourself very fortunate to be in or near the following places where bright lights, roaring music, and vigorous chatter overflow until the wee hours:

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New York

It's quite true that this city never sleeps. The cosmopolitan vibe of its boroughs and neighboring cities offers something for everyone. Spend the night out in one of the mega-clubs along the Meatpacking District. Roll on the floor laughing as you see “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) and other late night shows recorded live from their studios in Manhattan. Find a date and catch a breathtaking musical on Broadway. And when in nearby Albany, experience an explosion of fun and excitement from dine-in cinemas, interactive game rooms, and other amenities offered by Brent Brown's Latitude 360.  

London

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While places like the Royal Opera House make it look all too classy (and favorable for more discerning tastes), London after hours has everything in store for those who likes it hip, laidback, and sassy. Catch comedy acts from the brassy nightclubs, unwind with the finest selection of spirits in dapper boutique bars, or drink beer the traditional way – serve from the tap -- in pubs and taverns. If West End isn't enough, catch some more plays from a crowd of late night theater bars around the city.  

Tokyo

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When thinking of the best after-dark cities, Japan's capital city is a no-brainer. Revel in the near-manic energy brought by the interesting mix of people and cultures. Be amazed at the sight of fascinating signs and images that light every towering structure along its streets. Savor the choicest selection of sushi and sake at an izakaya. And get a sweeping view of the city from bars perched on top of skyscrapers, like Park Hyatt's New York Bar.  

Banking and real estate expert Brent Brown is the founder of Latitude 360, a premier chain of concept restaurant and entertainment complexes. Visit this website to know more about Latitude 360’s wide array of options for good food and entertainment.