fabulousfrock: Sometimes I can't sleep in the middle of

Jackie Dolamore (

fabulousfrock) wrote,
@ 2008-03-19 12:09:00

Sometimes I can't sleep in the middle of the night and I'm thinking about something incredibly pointless.

Like, last night. I was thinking how, in movies and TV, whenever people go to a restaurant, 70% of the time it's one of those really NYC/LA type of restaurants that is dimly lit and people are dressed up and there is an extensive wine list and such. And very very chic lighting. (If the characters are on a date, that figure jumps to 90%.)

If they are not in a fancy restaurant, they are probably in a diner or a sandwich shop or some slice of Americana type restaurant.

I would like to see characters in a movie go to some hole-in-the-wall Vietnamese restaurant that is playing that cheesy, strangely soothing crooning Vietnamese pop music.

That led me to think about restaurants in novels. Dining scenes are usually knocked in books in general, but if you do end up with one, restaurants can be a great character on their own.

I have a number of recurring made-up restaurants in the Arestin stories: Tabemono, Lucci's, Moondreams, The Cherry Coffeehouse (which also serves food), and the Irish pub. My favorite is probably The Pompous Pomegranate, a chain bistro with a monocle-wearing pomegranate for a mascot, where female servers where cheongsams for no real reason, and all the food is pretentious.

"Do they have a kabob or something?" Alfred asked.

George skimmed the menu. "They have the 'Down South Kabob'. 'Made Tlah-style, these kabobs are grilled tender in a spicy-sweet mango chipotle marinade, served with pink salt plantain slices.'"

"Oh, good God, whatever."

(Post a new comment)

	olmue 2008-03-19 05:01 pm UTC (link)
	I love a good food scene done well in a book (ie, I really enjoy yours!) Food scenes must be like rhyme--great when they work, a bomb when they don't. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	fabulousfrock 2008-03-19 09:55 pm UTC (link)
	Yes, I do believe you're right. I hope that my books make people hungry, at least at some point. My favorite books always make me hungry. (Reply to this)(Parent)

phoebe_k
2008-03-19 05:12 pm UTC (link)

I agree that there is too much bo-ring whiteness going on in Hollywood food scenes. Where are the tapas, the mojitos, the dun dun noodles, the mee goreng? But I'm secretly worried that if they actually did show that Vietnamese restaurant and had to hire Asian actors and everything, most shows would use it as an opportunity to promote cultural and ethnic stereotypes. In my writing, I create a lot of themed restaurants that go over-the-top in promoting gross stereotypes, like the Hawaiian-themed Luau's Hamburgers. (But I write satire.)

Is it wrong that that Down South Kabob sounds good to me?

(Reply to this)(Thread)

	fabulousfrock 2008-03-19 09:59 pm UTC (link)
	That is a point. But I'm surprised I don't see it more in indie movies, at the least. I think they could get it right. Even if some stereotype gets in there, I still feel it would be better than a white-bread-world where everybody eats steak and wine. Oh, and I would definitely eat the Down South Kabob. But I still find pretentious food funny even as I eat it. Or cook it. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	jennifer_d_g 2008-03-19 06:01 pm UTC (link)
	Good thinking! I love the idea of a restaurant as a character. I might have to create a restaurant scene in my next book just so I can have fun with this. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	fabulousfrock 2008-03-19 09:59 pm UTC (link)
	Sometimes I forget what great potential even minor settings have, so I like to remind myself... (Reply to this)(Parent)

	tracyworld 2008-03-19 09:24 pm UTC (link)
	I enjoyed this post so much. "I would like to see characters in a movie go to some hole-in-the-wall Vietnamese restaurant that is playing that cheesy, strangely soothing crooning Vietnamese pop music." HA! (Reply to this)(Thread)

	fabulousfrock 2008-03-19 09:59 pm UTC (link)
	I made myself totally crave pho, too... (Reply to this)(Parent)

	lizzy_lyn 2008-03-20 12:56 am UTC (link)
	sounds good to me! (Reply to this)

	ravelda 2008-03-20 11:11 pm UTC (link)
	I chose you for a Roar Award, my dear. :) Check it out: http://ravelda.livejournal.com/272043.html (Reply to this)

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