Limitless (2011)

photo from this site

Apparently, in 2011, Bradley Cooper was simultaneously promoting Limitless (which was just hitting theaters) and filming The Words. In both movies he plays a struggling writer, so I guess we know what he likes to do. This was all at the same time People was awarding him his crown as Sexiest Man Alive. Busy guy. I guess once you know how to do something, you might as well stick with it, right?

On to our Movie Night details: Because I had heard that breakfast sandwiches played a significant role in the plot of the movie (thanks, LT!), and coming off an amazing trip to Cooperstown, NY, Stagecoach Coffee's "The Unusual" popped directly into the front of my brain as something I had to recreate.

Let's see. Stagecoach does it up right with rich cream cheese, a disc of bright, fresh tomato, silky smooth avocado slices, crunchy sprouts and salty crumbled bacon atop a hearty toasted bagel. We riffed using ciabatta rolls, chopping the tomato (in an attempt to keep everything from sliding off the base), and keeping the bacon slices whole, mostly for visual interest. This is one of the most delicious combinations I've ever had the pleasure of eating and it is perfect for both weeknights squeezed for time or those in the sultry summertime that are simply too hot for cooking.

Limitless Breakfast Sandwiches
Adapted from Stagecoach Coffee's "The Unusual"
Serves 2

INGREDIENTS
2 sturdy rolls or bagels, sliced
cream cheese
fresh, ripe tomato
ripe avocado
coarse salt and fresh ground pepper
broccoli sprouts
8 slices bacon, cooked until crispy

DIRECTIONS
Toast the rolls or bagels and spread both open sides with cream cheese. Dice the tomato and avocado and distribute between the four open halves. Season to taste with coarse salt and freshly ground pepper. Add sprouts, then top with bacon strips and enjoy!

Not to worry—if a bacon and egg breakfast sandwich on an english muffin is more your style, you're in luck! Those are the ones our lead character orders in the film. And from the moment he returns with said sandwiches until the end of the movie, you're on a pretty great ride.

NZT48 is the Limitless drug that clears the mind, focuses attention, and increases productivity. It's an appealing idea, I'm not gonna lie. Eddie turns his life right around and becomes super successful with the help of the pills.

A few additional highlights to the movie include the soundtrack and a great gray sofa at Eddie's girlfriend's apartment. Salad and toast points with a variety of spreads or patés would be appropriate if breakfast isn't appealing, or an Italian or Chinese meal would be appropriate... with Eddie's enhanced abilities while on the drug, he learns to speak both languages.