Simply Irresistible

After losing her mother, Amanda Shelton struggles to save her family's bistro, a place that hasn't drawn crowds in ages. While sourcing ingredients, she meets a mysterious man named Gene O'Reilly who hands her a magical crab. Soon her cooking takes a remarkable turn, turning ordinary meals into memorable experiences that affect diners in unpredictable ways. A hopeful rival restaurateur named Tom Bartlett samples Amanda's food and finds himself drawn to her, even as he charts his own culinary dream. The kitchen becomes a stage for chance, charm, and a risk worth taking. Her mother's memory lingers over the kitchen, and the sudden glow around the menu tests her resolve and the family's trust.

Directed by Mark Tarlov, Simply Irresistible offers an original story by Judith Roberts. Released in 1999, the film pairs Sarah Michelle Gellar with Sean Patrick Flanery in a lighthearted romantic comedy about food and romance, with plenty of kitchen humor.

Box office: The film grossed 4,398,989 worldwide, modest against its 6 million budget. It found fewer viewers than hoped, reflecting its niche appeal for a late 1990s romantic comedy, and it gained some life on home video.

There were no major nominations or wins for the film. It sits as a modest late 1990s romantic comedy, loved by some fans but largely overlooked by award bodies. Critical chatter was mixed.

Reviewers treated it as a breezy date night option built around a quirky premise. The story leans on family ties, ambition, and romance, with the magical crab allowing food to evoke strong emotions and bring people together around a shared meal. Gellar's performance anchors the film with a mix of warmth and wit, while Flanery brings easy charm. The movie treats appetite and desire as a shared experience that can repair broken connections, even if the premise remains fanciful.