New Indie Film "Open Tables" Explores Relationships and Food in Local Restaurants

A new film is currently wrapping up production in Chicago, and when it's ready for viewing there will be quite a few recognizable backdrops. The indie feature "Open Tables" explores two things that Chicago does best: food and improv. "Someone once said to me pay attention to the story the chef is telling with the food," writer/producer/director Jack Newell said, "Once I heard that I really started to explore how food and relationships connect."

The film, which if it had to be categorized would fall into the romantic comedy genre, is about a number of relationships that develop over the course of the movie, and mostly over meals. "When people get together to eat, they share the stories of their lives," Newell explains.

The production team knew they wanted to get into quite a few Chicago restaurants, and ended up doing most of their filming when the restaurant was closed as to not disturb the flow of service. However, the majority of restaurants that appear serve as the restaurant they really are, and should be recognizable in the film. There are still a few more places that will be added but the team has currently filmed at:

5411 Empanadas
Acadia
Big Shoulders Coffee
The Boarding House
bistronomic
The Boiler Room
The Bristol
Graham Elliot
HB (Home Bistro)
Kamehachi
Longman & Eagle
Perennial Virant
Publican
Scofflaw
Sepia
Storefront Company
Table 52
Trenchermen
The Violet Hour
Urbanbelly

The film is expected to be released in late fall or early winter and will appear at film festivals. Newell is currently working with some of the restaurants he filmed at to help host a dinner and movie type viewing. After exposing his viewers to all of these meals, how could he not serve food?
· Open Tables [Official Site]