Hayley Atwell and Matthew Goode (All photos: Getty)

Last week I received an invite to attend the world premiere of the much-anticipated Brideshead Revisited feature film from the lovely folks at VisitBritain, the British national tourism agency. After momentarily considering holding out for an all-expenses-paid trip to the actual Brideshead location, Castle Howard, I decided to gratefully accept once I heard that the film's star, Matthew Goode would be there, and that there would be free popcorn. What can I say, I'm a cheap date.

I had already seen the film (I devoted a full page of a recent column to the fact that this version pulls Sebastian Flyte out of the closet, to interesting effect), so I guess for me the screening itself was Brideshead Revisited Revisited. The film is just as opulent and tortured the second time around, but I'll get to all that in our review, which runs next week.

Right now there are appetizers to discuss!

Jonathan Cake and Julianne Nicholson

Anyway, last night it was about 436 degrees in Manhattan but that didn't stop the beautiful people from turning out in droves for the premiere. Director Julian Jarrold (Kinky Boots, Becoming Jane) was there, as were stars Matthew Goode and Hayley Atwell, and Jonathan Cake, who plays the rascally American, Rex. And other folks like SNL alum Rachel Dratch, Paul Blackthorne (Lipstick Jungle), and Alicia Witt (Law & Order: Criminal Intent) also showed up to check out the flick.

After the screening, everyone strolled over to the Gramercy Hotel, where we were jettisoned up to the rooftop garden for the after-party. There I spotted Top Model judge and photographer Nigel Barker (just as handsome in real life) and Cake's wife, Julianne Nicholson (Ally McBeal, Criminal Intent) was kind enough to make room for us at a table in the crowded space. 

Rachel Dratch knows what you're up to

The only real disappointment for me was that Ben Whishaw, the actor who so beautifully plays Sebastian in the film, wasn't at the screening or party. Because if the film is any indication, he'd be incredibly fun to get drunk with.

Appropriately enough for a film about class and excess, the spread at the party was rather fancy and quite tasty (I particularly enjoyed the beef tenderloin). But the real kicker was one of the desserts: a chocolate-covered tomato.

I at first didn't believe my friend when he told me that the small, shiny brown ball with the foliage sticking out of the top was something that generally belongs in a salad dipped in milk chocolate, but sure enough, it was. And you know what? It was delicious. If you ever get the chance to try one, definitely go for it. I forced everyone in our party to eat one and they were all pleasantly surprised.

Hayley Atwell and Matthew Goode are pretty

We checked out around midnight and happened to ride the teeny-tiny, crowded, and rather warm elevator down to the lobby with Hayley Atwell, the stunning young actress who plays Julia Flyte in the movie. The lone lady in our group chatted her up briefly about her sparkly shoes (which were gorgeous) and she was perfectly charming.

And though I was dying to ask Matthew Goode about Watchmen (in which he plays Adrian Veidt), I didn't get close enough to chat with him. But no matter, we do have an interview with the disarmingly handsome young actor coming soon, so stay tuned! In the meantime, I'm hitting Whole Foods for some cherry tomatoes ...

Matthew Goode