Christmas is all around us, which means it’s time to pour a glass of eggnog, spend some time (even virtually) with family, and depending on how much time, perhaps add a splash or three of brandy to that cup of cheer. Christmas is also a time to pull out the classic holiday

films, an honor that Love Actually (2003) has rightfully earned. Sunday Dinner and a Movie Though only 17 years old, Love Actually has garnered a “Love Actually” loyal following, and it’s easy to see why; there is literally something for everyone. The plot follows no less than ten interwoven love stories, ranging from a harmless Serves Two, Includes Wine workplace flirtation to the desperate first crush of a ten- 85 year-old boy. Without missing a beat, Love Actually slips elegantly from easy-going physical comedy, to heart-

Order Today; aching romance, to loss and grief, and back again. It’s Pick-up the perfect film to put you in the holiday spirit, with a Saturday, December 19th cheery laugh and a tear for love lost and hopefully found 505-983-2100 again under the mistletoe. Also, it turns out 17 years is please inform us of any allergies or dietary restrictions enough time for the trendy costumes to dredge up slightly embarrassing memories of frosted tips, choker Arugula & Fennel Salad necklaces, and hip-hugging wide leg jeans. orange segments, mint, shaved parm, lemon vinaigrette Written and directed by Richard Curtis (Four Weddings Heat-at-Home Shepeard’s Pie and a Funeral; Notting Hill), the movie is a veritable who’s- braised ground lamb, english peas, who of British actors, from much beloved and deeply herbed mashed potatoes missed Alan Rickman, to a young Thomas Brodie- Sangster (whom you may recognize from the new Netflix Roast-at-Home Brussels Sprouts hit, The Queen’s Gambit). The cast also includes Bill Nighy thyme, lemon (aging rock god looking for a Christmas comeback), Liam Neeson (bereaved widow and very supportive dad), Butterscotch Pot de Crème Colin Firth (slightly feckless expat writer), Hugh Grant caramelized rice krispies (very eligible bachelor and newly elected Prime Minister), Emma Thompson (the under-appreciated pillar of her Château Billerond Saint-Emilion France 2015 family, always ready with an acerbic one-liner), and “I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes…”, this wine many, many more! and food combo will be delicious, “… and so the feeling grows”. This Merlot dominant wine is classic right Right If you need a pick-me-up in the form of a delightful and Bank Bordeaux. Silky and smooth on the palate with lush sometimes cheesy rom-com, or just want to kick off the notes of ripe plums and spice balanced by damp earth holiday season with a bang, Love Actually fits the bill and leather and just the right amount of mineral tension nicely. from its supporting actor, the illustrious Cabernet Franc. At first glance, Bordeaux and a British leaning menu may – (Synopsis by guest movie buff, Emma K. Selby) seem an odd match, but the Brits love Bordeaux. Plus, lamb and mashed potatoes + Merlot and Cabernet Franc Footlights: Often we don’t speak about opening and = delicious, so, we’ve nailed another awesome pairing closing credits in movies, which is too bad, especially, in and the world makes sense again. Huzzah! Love Actually, where they provide an emotional parenthetical embrace. As the film begins, Hugh Grant’s voiceover talks of watching people arriving at Heathrow Movie available to stream on multiple platforms Airport being greeted by loved ones and how this always

Synopsis provided by James Selby, former professional actor, makes him happy. At the end of the movie, all the lifelong movie buff, wine rep extraordinaire, and all-around stories we’ve watched are summed-up in epilogue and super star human. then, ever so gently, we’re allowed to witness the loving arrivals of real, everyday citizens. Doubtful, nowadays, any of us will take that for granted.