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Posted on Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 4:05 p.m.

George Clooney makes a lunch stop at Paesano on Tuesday

By Jenn McKee

clooney.jpg

Recent reports have indicated that Oscar-winning actor/director George Clooney is hoping to do a few days' worth of shooting for his newest feature, "Ides of March," in Ann Arbor, and his lunch stop at Paesano on Tuesday would certainly seem to reinforce this notion.

Kacey McDonnell, a hostess and server at Paesano, confirmed that Clooney dined with a group of about seven people at 12:45 on Tuesday.

"They were tucked away in the back dining room," said McDonnell. "… They just quietly ate their lunch. But he was a complete gentleman, and he thanked everyone on his way out."

The bulk of "Ides"' filming is slated to take place around Detroit and Cincinnati in February and March, and the film will star Clooney, as well as Ryan Gosling, Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Evan Rachel Wood. (Plus, Leonardo DiCaprio is one of the film's producers).

Based on Beau Willimon's play "Farragut North," "Ides" casts Clooney as a Howard Dean-type Presidential hopeful, while Gosling plays the lead character — a wunderkind press secretary who finds himself embroiled in the ugly world of back-room politics.

Stay tuned for more "Clooney in Ann Arbor" updates.

Jenn McKee is the entertainment digital journalist for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.

Comments

rrt911

Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 1:57 p.m.

Right, he lives in Italy and eats the wonderful food of Tuscany and then goes to Paesanos? Then again it's certainly better than what they are serving inDarfur.

CincoDeMayo

Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 3:20 p.m.

Clooney is one of my family names and I'm pretty sure that we're related. He could've told me he was going to lunch just around the corner...I would have paid for myself...

Jenn McKee

Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 1:32 p.m.

Glimmertwin - I originally got a tip about Clooney's visit from a Paesano lunch patron who was surprised to see him, but you're correct in that my use of "unexpected" seemed to indicate that the restaurant staff had no idea Clooney was coming, so I have removed the word from the article to avoid any more confusion. Thanks for pointing this out.

glimmertwin

Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 1:49 p.m.

Very good. I know the restaurant was aware of his visit. But I certainly would have been surprised if I was having lunch there and in walked George Clooney. For what it's worth - I was told that he indicated that enjoyed his visit very much.

glimmertwin

Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 12:47 p.m.

I suggest A2.com recheck their sources - there was nothing unexpected about this visit. Paesano's simply respects their patrons, celebrities and otherwise and didn't make a large spectacle about his visit. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that he was very cordial and personable. Often times, the perception can be very different from the reality. Glad to hear this is not the case with Clooney. Let's hope they decide to film here and he and his crew can enjoy all the benefits of the area.

bedrog

Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 12:02 p.m.

i always admired clooney's wry intelligence as actor and director.... even more so after FANTASTIC MR.FOX, which i must have watched 50 times since it was the only thing that would make my baby grandchild happy when she got a fever while visitng us. Each time there was something new to see in it. and now he's patronized one of our favorite reastaurants, which indeed has a great lunch...especially "the sandwich the chef eats for lunch'. Nice.

Cash

Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 10:52 a.m.

Wow, this is making an old lady crave Italian food!

stunhsif

Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 3:40 a.m.

Who cares, Hollywood stinks and most of those who ply their trade do as well in my opinion. George Clooney fits that mold for me. I refuse to spend 12 dollars to go see a movie, Showtime works for me ! Good Day No Luck Needed

julieswhimsies

Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 9:07 p.m.

You can afford Showtime on cable?...but not a 12 dollar movie? Hey. Netflix is only 7.99-9.99 and can be streamed to your TV in a number of ways.

Forever27

Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 2:34 p.m.

Well that explains why you are reading/commenting on an article about a movie star eating lunch. Practice what you preach.

Cash

Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 10:53 a.m.

fish, LOL Paying for Showtime is giving money to the movie moguls too.

treetowncartel

Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 3:35 a.m.

I think he would have liked Bimbo's on the Hill better!

Ellen

Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 11:58 a.m.

lol, I remember that place!

Dave66

Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 3:26 a.m.

It couldn't have happened in a nicer place. Paesano's is one of my favorite A2 restaurants. I've been eating there since 1990 and I've *never* had a bad experience.

Salinemary

Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 3:02 a.m.

The sight of George Clooney would have made my day. Why oh why did I run to Meijer's on my lunch hour instead of going to Paesano's?