Movies involving Italians or the Mafia (or, indeed, both) usually feature food in a starring role, as metaphor for life, death, love, family or all of the above. And so it is the case in Dinner Rush.
Set during one night at a hip Tribeca restaurant, it weaves together the stories of the eaterie's disparate staff and customers from compulsive gambler Duncan to mob-connected owner, Louis and brings them all crashing together in its explosive, and unpredictable, conclusion.
Director Giraldi's interest in food (he is also Creative Director and a founder of Starchefs.com, a cookery-dedicated web site) is evident in the film's lingering shots of artfully-constructed meals, at times verging on gastro-porn.
Giraldi's brilliance lies in his ability to balance a multitude of storylines without any of the characters seeming under-developed or plotlines confused. This, teamed with a cast on top form notably Aiello and Jamie Harris as a cocky barman makes Dinner Rush a wholly satisfying feast.