Dining Out at the Academy Award's 'Best Picture' Cafe

Saving the best of the best for last, the Oscar for Best Picture traditionally is the last honor handed out at the annual Academy Awards presentation. Sometimes, the winner is pretty obvious, but quality films like " The Hurt Locker " and " Chariots of Fire " have emerged as surprise victors in years past.

When looking for a common trait among the 82 Best Picture winners, one element that sticks out is food. In key scenes and Oscar clips, a particular food item or entrée becomes the focus of the action, sometimes overshadowing the actors.

If a clever entrepreneur used this as a theme for a restaurant, here is what you might see on the menu at the "Best Picture Café":

Appetizers

The " Rocky " sleepy eye special (six raw eggs served in a glass)

Bubba Gump shrimp cocktail

Raymond's famous " Rain Man " puffed cheese snacks (served with 246 toothpicks)

" Titanic "-style caviar

Breakfast

" Kramer vs. Kramer "-style French toast

" Oliver " family style gruel (second helpings by request only)

Eric Liddle's " Chariots of Fire " tea and toast platter

" Amadeus " sugar rolls (Salieri 's favorite)

Don Corleone's " Godfather " oranges

Lunch

Scarlett's special " Gone With the Wind " fried chicken

" Dances with Wolves " buffalo burgers (unlike the competition, we use the whole buffalo)

"Godfather" cannoli (take some to go!)

Dinner

Fresh " Silence of the Lambs " liver served with fava beans

(Ask our wine steward for a nice glass of Chianti)

" Marty " hand-cut steaks

(tenderized by Chef Rocky Balboa)

Desserts

" Forrest Gump " random chocolate assortment

"Kramer vs. Kramer" ice cream (but only if you've eaten all your dinner first)

Beverages

" Lost Weekend " cocktails

" Sound of Music " tea (served with jam and bread)

" Driving Miss Daisy " coffee (just like Miss Idella makes it)

" Chicago " after-dinner drinks (arsenic available upon request)

New menu additions under consideration:

" Black Swan " layer cake

" The Kids are All Right " barbecue platter

" True Grit " corn dodgers