Da Vinci Code v Diet Code

By JULIETTE ROSSANT How do you come up with a gimmick for a Da Vinci Code dinner and capitalize on one of the biggest movie openings ever? Well, let's measure the desperation level to see the movie these days? Any lines forming? The flick opens May 17 in some European and Middle Eastern countries -- including France -- May 18 in others, and May 19 in the USA: too bad there are practically no cheap tickets to Paris these days! Now, if you happened to be traveling to Crete, you could to enjoy a meal at the Da Vinci Code Cafe in the little mountain town of Gouves...... Of course, there is some major plugging going on in The Da Vinci Code, particularly the Smart Car -- a fascinating story that started with Swatch back in the early 1990s (to read more, click here). Americans have taken notice of the car -- Andy Rooney reported on it two years ago on 60 Minutes. In fact, Superchefblog predicts that the Smart Car will experience a tremendous demand in America, thanks to the movie and rising gas prices. Nevertheless, author Dan Brown is clearly no Foodie, as there are few references to meals in his best-selling book, despite the backdrop of Paris. That is not stopping Europeans from exploiting the book and movie's geography, starting with Da Vinci Code travel packages from the official French Tourism agency, particularly to Da Vinci's last home, the Château du Clos Lucé. More is available in their online magazine, but no dining packages are readily found. How then is a working chef to come up with a Da Vinci Code special? Superchefblog investigated, contacting restaurants as well as Gruppo Ristorati Italiano but received no ready answers. So, here are some practical steps to coming up with a quick Da Vinci Code special. First, you have to decide which cuisine is most appropriate to associate with the movie, French or Italian. You could choose French for the location (mostly in Paris) or Italian for the Leonardo Da Vinci name association. From the few restaurants that have managed to jump on this opportunity, it seems Italian is winning out -- even though the only interesting food mentioned is manservant Remy's steak au poivre (The Da Vinci Code, p. 259 hardcover). After much searching, we discovered that in Chicago, on Sunday, May 21, 2006, Gourmet Advocates Ltd. was planning to celebrate The Da Vinci Code's premiere with a night out on Chicago, starting with the movie and followed by dinner at Luna Caprese, who are offering a Da Vinci Code special at $45 for members ($47 for non-members) -- but the event has been canceled. As it turns out, very few restaurants seem to be connecting a big night out at the movies with a big, fancy dinner. In fact, one wine specialist who answered the phone at a fine New York restaurant had not read the book nor had any inkling that the movie was about to open. Whaddaya gonna do? Why not turn instead to the The Diet Code: Revolutionary Weight Loss Secrets from Da Vinci and the Golden Ratio (Warner Books 2006)? Stephen Lanzalotta, also owner of Sophia's Bakery, bases his book on the "Golden Ratio," arising out of the same font of mathematical religio-philosophy as Dan Brown's book and (as if by mathematically balanced precision) reaching bookstands just in time to capitalize on the movie. (Click here to listen to an audio excerpt [MP3 format].) Buono appetito! The Da Vinci Code: official film distributor website official book publisher website Amazon.com (book) Barnes & Noble (book) The Diet Code: Publisher Amazon.com Barnes & Noble Film reviews: Variety The Hollywood Reporter AP on Yahoo! News New York Times BBC Related - The Da Vinci Code: Variety Houston Chronicle Globe & Mail (UK) Rediff (India) ABC News (AP) Guardian (UK) CNN Los Angeles Times Toronto Star Times (UK) USA Today ITV News San Jose Mercury News (AP) BBC (UK) Xinhua (China) Related - The Diet Code: ABC News (AP) WJLA (AP) MSNBC (AP) San Francisco Chronicle Enquirer Previous articles: Jose Andres: Zaytinya, with Ladies in Lavender [Cookbook Reviews - complete] Technorati Tags: superchefblog, Juliette Rossant, super chef, celebrities, chefs, food, restaurants, cooking, branding, cuisine, blogging, food blogging, Da Vinci Code, Diet Code, cookbooks --> back to superchefblog