By now, you've maybe seen The Menu, a satirical film about fine dining and fancy food-obsessed people. If you haven't, don't worry, we won't give away the ending, but there are some spoilers below. Throughout the movie, which is streaming on HBO Max, there are many twists and turns, as well as lesser known food references that you maybe didn't catch. From character developments to culinary references, here are the most important things that you might have missed in The Menu.
There's plenty of inspiration from Chef's Table.
There are quite a few references to the Netflix show Chef's Table. David Gelb, the creator of Chef's Table, was also on the team that produced The Menu. In the beginning of the film, Tyler (Nicholas Hoult) even talks about his affection for the show.
The Spice Racks
The spice racks near the freezers at Hawthorne are actually recreations of the ones from the restaurant El Bulli, according to an interview in Tasting Table. The Spanish restaurant, which is now closed, had three Michelin stars and was known for its massive spice rack.
The Pacojet makes a few appearances.
When the diners first arrive at the restaurant, Tyler anxiously makes his way to the kitchen, where he watches a sous chef use a Pacojet. A Pacojet is an expensive kitchen appliance that turns frozen foods into things like soups and sorbets. Tyler proudly says that he has one at home. Later, when Tyler tells Slowik (Ralph Fiennes) that he's finished cooking the lamb chops (a dish that's aptly titled Tyler's Bullshit), Slowik makes a reference to Tyler's claim about the kitchen appliance:
"You think it's done? You're sure?" Slowik says. "Maybe you wanna jam it into the Pacojet."
Margot later hits Elsa (Hong Chau) with a Pacojet.
Slowik used to cook hamburgers
Slowik cooks Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy) a hamburger upon her request, and in case you're wondering why Margot asked for one, the key is in the private room behind the silver door. When Margot enters the room, she sees a photograph of young Slowik smiling and flipping hamburgers. Below the photo we see this engraved text: "Hamburger Howie's employee of the month."
Restaurant industry workers rarely get days off.
When talking with the movie star played by John Leguizamo about seeing his movie Calling Doctor Sunshine, Slowik notes the lack of days he's had off as a chef:
"It was a Sunday. My one day off in months," Slowik says. "The most precious day. The day where I was allowed to live."
In the restaurant industry, Mondays and sometimes Sundays are often referred to as "industry nights" because they are usually the few days employees have off.
The gift bags are inspired by Eleven Madison Park.
At the end of the meal, diners at Hawthorne are given gift bags with house-made granola—something that New York City's Eleven Madison Park is known for, according to The New York Times.
Tyler has serious FOMO.
When Slowik offered the men one chance to try to escape, Tyler doesn't take it. Moments later, he's seen peeking in the window of the dining room to see what he was missing out on. Talk about serious FOMO.
Margot and Richard's relationship
If you didn't pick up on it, Margot is a sex worker. She was not only hired by Tyler to be his date, but she was also formerly hired by Richard, one of the wealthy diners. When the employees cut off one of Richard's fingers, it's ironic that it's his ring finger. His wedding band falls into the hands of his wife (Judith Light).
Slowik's house is almost identical to the Hawthorne restaurant.
When Margot is out fetching a barrel for Slowik, she enters his house, which, apart from the bed, features a kitchen and mysterious silver door almost (if not completely) identical to the one in the restaurant.
