Dinner and a Movie

The seventeenth in a series of at home food and movie pairings.

JINGLE JANGLE A Christmas Journey and the Flavors ofFirst Street

Cinema Cat & Gourmet Gracie

For your holiday get together or just for family game night, here is a scrumptious selection of small plates, tapas and appetizers for you to choose from. Pick up these baby bites to enjoy with cocktails and conversation or just to nosh your way through your favorite home entertainment. Perfect while decking the halls and decorating the tree—making celebrations easy. Below is a sampling of the many choices available in beautiful downtown Benicia this holiday season.

Does it surprise you that Gracie has sampled 100% of these delicious items? They all pass the picky palate test, travel relatively well and if appropriate, can be heated up for a quick few minutes in a 350 degree oven. Check out the individual restaurant menus to find what else tickles your fancy.

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

This 2020 American Christmas musical fantasy film is written and directed by David E. Talbert and co-produced by John Legend. Satisfying and heartwarming, you’ll be delighted for 122 minutes. It’s a musical, a dance party, a fairy tale, an inspirational journey and more. The story follows the success, heartbreak and redemption of Jeronicus Jangle—an inventor, toy maker and master of magic. An imaginary world comes to life in this riveting tale of an eccentric toy maker, his adventurous granddaughter and a magical invention that will ultimately change their lives forever. Critics are saying this movie might just be a brand new Christmas classic. So fun, with phenomenal acting and spectacular voices and oh, so original it will make your heart sing—vibrant and imaginative. Rated PG for some cinematic themes but great for young and old. A truly family movie.

The cast is unbeatable— academy-award winner Forest Whitaker; clever and hilarious Keegan-Michael Key; stunningly talented Anika Noni and the legendary Phylicia Rashad with special voices by Ricky Martin and others too numerous to name. Available on Netflix. Cinema Cat gives it 9 out of 10 whiskers!!

Char’s Hot Dogs

707.746.8500

Jalapeño Poppers

Mozzarella Sticks

Sailor Jack’s

707.746.8500

Crispy Fried Clam Strips

Monterey Bay Calamari

Mai Thai

707.747.1868

Pork and Chicken Dumplings

Crispy Vegetable Spring Rolls

One House Bakery

707.361.5919

Charcuterie, Cheese, Veggie Crudités,

Fruit and Pickle Boards (48 hr.lead time)

Aung Maylika

707.361.5152

Samosas—Veggie Stuffed Pastries

Lettuce Wraps w/chicken, tofu or shrimp

Sandoval’s Restaurant

707.746.7830

Fiesta Platter—Nachos, Quesadillas, Flautas

Guacamole & Chips

Lucca’s Bar & Grill

707.745.3749

Deviled Eggs w/Bacon, Salmon, Duck Confit

Salmon Tacos