So the hostel receptionist told me this morning that the State puts on a film festival at City Hall that runs July 1-August 31. She said
there was some food available, and recommended that I check it out.

I rode over there this afternoon for a quick peek, but quickly
realized that her description of this event was a serious understatement.

I pulled up in front of City Hall on my bike and was pretty amazed by
what I saw. There were people sitting around with cocktails and beers
dipping their feet in fountains, college kids gathered
around fancy bar tables eating seafood on real plates with real
silverware, loungers in wicker chairs reading and napping, and Phil
Colins playing on the loud speakers!

I started walking through the festival and saw that all the food was
International. As in; an American station serving gourmet
wings and burgers paired with "American drinks" like Long Islands; a
French stand serving beignets, fried anchovies, and those crazy
little rod-shaped crustaceans; an Italian stand with a pasta bar where
the chef adds all the ingredients you request to either alfredo gnocchi
or penne with marinara sauce; and many more.

Each station was paired with a cocktail booth, and in the middle of it all was a huge wine tasting area and
beer garden. I asked around, and apparently the food and alcohol goes on till midnight! At 8pm,
they start the movie. Or opera. Or whatever the featured presentation
happens to be that evening. And this happens EVERY DAY through July and August!

I was so blown away that this sort of thing is offered every single day for 2 months
straight, and that it's put on by the state. I ended up hanging out for a couple of hours, getting a sunburn, and finally feeling like I was on vacation!