There is no denying Halloween looks a whole lot different this year. There will be no incessant knocks on the door from sugar-crazed kids, no Church street parade and unfortunately, no opportunity to don your best Tiger King costume.
A marked date in the social calendar, Halloween has always been an excuse to hit the town and stay up until the wee hours of the morning. The opportunity may be gone for now, but as a huge advocate for the absolute joy of a well-executed night-in, I am here to tell you what some have been missing for all these years. A no-stress and thematic Halloween night-in beats cramming into a packed nightclub, only to return home and have to remove the pounds of makeup and the prosthetic nose you just HAD to include in your costume (if you ask me).
To guide you through your best possible Halloween night-in scenario, we have a choose-your-own-adventure list filled with everything you need to set the scene: Delicious takeout, nostalgic candy and a Halloween appropriate movie for every preference.
For a Slasher Classic
What you're watching:
Friday the 13th: A Halloween movie staple and a timeless classic, this 1980s film that started the famed franchise is a must-see for anyone invested in the slasher sub-genre. If you're tired of the redundant tropes, over-the-top CGI and in-your-face scares, rewind a few years and relish in everything we love about 80s movies.
What you're ordering:
Swatow Restaurant: What pairs well with an obvious choice for a Halloween flick? A unanimous favourite for when it comes to ordering takeout: Chinese food. This Cantonese restaurant located on Spadina is a hub for Shanghai-fried noodles, beef and broccoli, beef with black bean sauce and chow mein.
What candy you're eating:
Kit Kat: The mother of all chocolate bars and the evident pairing for a night of the classics, find me someone who doesn't like the milk chocolate covered wafers.
For Dinner and a Show
What you're watching:
The Rocky Horror Picture Show: If any of us could time warp, I tell you, we'd be leaving 2020 behind once and for all. Whether you're a die-hard fan, a subscriber to the cult classic fandom or a "Rocky Virgin," -- the 1975 horror musical delivers everything you need for entertainment on a night-in. As someone who watches the movie religiously on Halloween, there is no denying that a Frank-N-Furter ballad will get you in the Halloween mood.
What you're ordering:
Smoque N' Bones: I don't know whether it is band member Meatloaf's appearance in the movie or the subsequent, well, carving of deceased Meatloaf by Frank-N-Furter but why not run with the theme and order a meat-centric dinner (lol). This Queen West spot serves up several barbecue platters filled with brisket, ribs, fried chicken, cornbread, mac and cheese and more!
What candy you're eating:
Snickers: A decadent combination of peanuts, caramel, nougat and milk chocolate -- there is no denying Snickers is the king of candy and what better choice to pair with an outlandish, over-the-top and cinematic experience that is, The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
For the Family Friendly Experience
What you're watching:
Beetlejuice: Potentially a more mature choice for the PG audience, the 1998 Tim Burton classic has been the inspiration for one too many Halloween costumes past. A genuinely enjoyable film for no matter the age group, Beetlejuice is the choice for you if you're looking to get into the spirit of Halloween without the serious scares.
What you're ordering:
LXCO by La Carnita: My childhood might be several years behind me, but one thing I can recall is that taco night was just about the best thing to ever happen to my eight-year-old self. La Carnita's adapted takeout venture, LXCO, is the perfect spot to grab a build-it-yourself hard-shell taco kit.
What candy you're eating:
Sour Patch Kids: Nothing seems like such a treat than chewy candy encrusted in sugar -- especially when you're trying to compensate for the lack of trick-or-treating.
For a Sophisticated Scare
What you're watching:
Suspiria: Whether you're opting for the 1977 Italian original or the 2018 remake, this supernatural horror film is an onscreen masterpiece to behold. Set in Berlin during the Cold War and centred around a coven of witches, this film fulfills everything you need for a sophisticated scare -- ballet, historical nuances and a breathtaking musical soundtrack.
What you're ordering:
Louis Louix: When watching a movie like Suspiria, you need to pull out all the stops to complete the refined upscale theme you are trying to achieve. Order a lavish meal from the St. Regis' restaurant Louis Louix, including Organic truffle chicken, Wagyu steak, and to top it all off, the obsessed over 13-layer chocolate King's Cake.
What candy you're eating:
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups: Okay, it might not be high-brow or gourmet, but what Halloween candy is. End your night with an all-around favourite and treasured find when it comes to trick-or-treating.
For a Too Close to Home Fright
What you're watching:
28 Days Later: What is possibly scary this Halloween than 2020 itself. If you're looking to stay on theme this year, try 28 Days Later, a movie focused on a rampant virus, a desolate city (all too familiar, no?) and an altered approach to the typical zombie theme that is worth watching.
What you're ordering:
8Mile Detroit Style Pizza: What pairs best with relieving our current world? Comfort food. Order from this relatively new Detroit-style pizza place that delivers everything you want in a pie: thick, crispy crust, cheese pulls and a variety of different toppings.
What candy you're eating:
Twizzlers: When you don't want the snacking ever to stop, Twizzlers are the go-to move to keep you satisfied throughout the movie.
For the Indie Horror Flick Tribe:
What you're watching:
It Follows: There's a reason It Follows was regarded as one of the best horror releases of recent years. The nuanced elegance of highlighting the terrifying reality that fear itself is the cause of crippling anxiety, not an overdone monster, achieved the praise of critics who deemed the movie a genre subverter. An ideal segway into the indie horror genre and those jaded by the typical horror tropes.
What you're ordering:
Omai: One must think strategically about appropriate meal pairings with an ever so satisfying slow-burn movie like It Follows. Order Omai's do-it-yourself hand roll kit and savour every last bite of your toro and ebi as you're left sitting in your seat in suspense, unable to remove your eyes from the screen.
What candy you're eating:
Rockets: This sweet candy is ideal for swiftly popping in your mouth in between the riveting scenes abundant in It Follows.
