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Foodies at the Movies


We all love the guilty pleasure of bingeing on choc tops and popcorn at the candy bar, but a trip to the movies would not be the same without a pre-drink or a post-bite. Besides, the big screen and the dining scene both aim to present food for thought, so why not indulge in both?

Like movies, restaurants can be a mixed bag. One person's romantic comedy can be someone else's horror. Twelve angry men might enjoy a French connection or an Italian job, while others may prefer breakfast at Tiffany's, a passage to India or perhaps something out of Africa. Maybe even a titanic taste of duck soup on the waterfront?

So let's take a look at some restaurants that either welcome movie crowds or reinvent film legends by adopting their names. Which of these are the wizards of mod-Oz and the epicurean godfathers?

1
 
Monroes
St Kilda
A neon Marilyn in her iconic - and relentlessly flappable - Seven Year Itch white dress sits on the Monroes sign, paying homage to the 1950s blonde bombshell. Some like it hot - they can sit by one of the two fireplaces and munch on a gourmet pizza listening to live jazz. Some gentlemen prefer blondes, like the Blonde Ambition cocktail, featuring Cointreau, Malibu, lime and banana, at the bar. A few blocks will take you to the Palace George Cinemas.

2
 
Harry Limes
Ballarat
Named after the mysterious character played by Orson Welles in the film noir classic The Third Man, this Australian/Mediterranean haven replicates the international feel of the movie, and Mr Lime's famous attention to detail. More movie-themed restaurants in Victoria include the Jean-Luc Godard-inspired Bande A Part Pizza Bar, and the Old Cinema Restaurant in Frankston.

3
 
Fellini
Darlinghurst
One of a handful of Australian restaurants taking the highly-acclaimed late Italian film director's name, Caffe Fellini is the "reel" deal in Italian woodfired pizzas, healthy salads and hearty pastas. It's also within walking distance of the trendy arthouse cinemas of Darlo and Paddo, including the Verona, the Chauvel and the next beauty on this list.

4
 
Govinda's
Darlinghurst
Sydney is all the better for having a place like Govinda's. It's most definitely a "silence of the lambs" at this vegetarian long-timer, which offers a multicultural mix of curries, pastas, pies and salads to enjoy before reclining in its comfy in-house cinema, which plays two new theatrical releases per night. It's one of the cosiest cinema experiences to be had outside of your lounge room.

5
 
Schonell Pizza Cafe
St Lucia
Mr Fellini makes another appearance at the Schonell Pizza Cafe, where his name is one of the A-Z of gourmet pizzas named after legends of Italian cinema, alongside Sophia Loren, Roberto Rossellini and Gina Lollobrigida. Steadfastly keeping with the theme, this pizza cafe is even located within the University of Queensland's Schonell Cinemas, renowned for its el-cheapo movie, meal and drink deals.

6
 
Bollywood Dimensions Indian Cuisine
Braddon
Canberra's prime Bollywood entertainment restaurant takes its cues from the massive Hindi film industry that rivals Hollywood. While Bollywood clips appear on the TV screen, the real highlights are the special music and dance shows, best enjoyed while tucking into a vindaloo or korma. Further down Mort Street you'll find the Greater Union Civic Cinemas if it's Hollywood that rocks your boat.

7
 
Oscars Restaurant
Currambine
No one can go past a good movie meal deal, and Oscars Restaurant provides just that. Inches away from the Grand Cinemas Currambine, this family-friendly European eatery is renowned for its flick'n'food deals from Sundays to Thursdays, where $35 gets you a movie ticket, starters and a main, with pastas, salads and parmagianas vying for their close-up.

8
 
Oscar's Cafe & Restaurant
Alice Springs
Putting the Oz into Oscar, this Mediterranean and mod-Oz eatery is appropriately housed in the Alice Springs Cinema Complex, where you can catch an Oscar-winning flick before or after dining at a Golden Plate-winning cafe/restaurant.

9
 
Zorro's
Hahndorf
One of cinema's oldest heroes becomes the source of inspiration behind this Balkan restaurant. Originally a pulp fiction character, Zorro became an indelible part of popular culture after Douglas Fairbanks made his mark as the swashbuckler in The Mark of Zorro (1920). The most action you'll find here is in the kitchen at the charcoal grill.