THE GLUTTON

Along with eating (and thinking about eating) movie watching is the Glutton’s favorite activity. Unfortunately, attempts to marry the pastimes are often thwarted by the lack of imagination displayed at most theater concession stands.

The Glutton enjoys Naz 8 in Artesia, a “multicultural megaplex” where $3.75 buys two crisp, spicy, potato and vegetable samosas accented by sweet chutney. Avoid the paan, a betel leaf-wrapped spoonful of toasted coconut shreds suffocating under a blanket of fennel seeds.

The Vista in Los Feliz has broadened its palate by allowing patrons to bring in food purchased at the adjacent Vista Cafe. The selection isn’t vast -- coffee drinks, freshly blended smoothies, croissants, muffins, cookies and cupcakes -- but it’s better than sweaty hot dogs and rock-hard pretzels. The Glutton recommends an individual-sized spinach or rosemary and potato quiche. But the best larder belongs to the Westside’s Landmark, where the sophisticated array includes dry roasted wasabi green peas, imitation Pinkberry, Peet’s coffee and high-end chocolate.

The Glutton makes a beeline for Arnott’s Tim Tam: dense, chocolate-coated honeycomb wafers with a hint of caramel. Now all the Glutton needs is a pint, a pack of Maltesers and a bag of pickle crisps.

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