Dinner and a movie? Clever cocktails named after you favorite flick, tres chic décor and yummy desserts, appetizers and dishes sets the stage for a great night out at CineBistro in Hyde Park Village.
With locations in Wesley Chapel, Miami, Vail and other cities, this nouveau concept features Dolby sound, stadium seating, online ticket sales in advance and gourmet meals, but you must be 21 or older to watch a movie at CineBistro. (The dining room is open to everyone for lunch, dinner or appetizers.)
Corporate Executive Chef Isaac Stewart’s Italian entrees are moto benne, from the fettuccine in roasted garlic cream sauce and tomato basil spaghetti pasta with broccolini to the BBQ pork rib stack, brick chicken with wilted spinach, churrasco flat iron steak topped with tomato chimichurri sauce and the portabella mushroom lasagna.
Savvy diners share starters such as white bean hummus, sweet and spicy wings, popcorn chicken or rock shrimp served with saffron dipping and charred tomato dipping sauces or ginger tuna and salmon spring roll, moving on to share the Caesar or Cobb salad for an entrée or one of the sandwiches, accompanied by shoestring or sweet potato fries.
Just in the mood for dessert and coffee? Don’t miss Dessert At The Movies, a medley of flourless chocolate torte, spiced caramel popcorn, chocolate film strip, cherry red carpet with Coca cola cherry marmalade and star fruit or the tiramisu cupcake trio, washed down by a latte, mocha, espresso or herbal tea.
Spirits are just as wild, from the dozens of domestic and imported brews, and our favorite, the Magic Hat Not Quite Pale Ale to the Sex and the City Cosmotini, Ruby Red Slippers and Pink Panther Martini. Can an “Eat, Pray, Love” mojito be far behind? Add to this an exceptional wine by the glass list, served in six or ten ounce pours, with stand-outs such as Ferrari Carano Fume Blanc or Cabernet, Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc or Sonoma Cutrer Chardonnay.
Best of all, you can bring your beverage of choice into the theater, where you’ll relax in oversized leather rockers, each equipped with its own table. The movies start 30 minutes in advance so you can enjoy your libation and comestible. The theater is also available for private rental, and CineBistro hosts public events including Monday Night Football games and this spring, Sex In the City release party and Lost finale.
You don’t have to eat and drink to enjoy the movie, but the typical concession stand is replaced by Buncha Crunch, Raisonettes, Toblerone, Ghiradelli Caramel and unlimited popcorn for only $5.75. No kidding. Sparkling waters as well as soda pop round out the movie fare. In addition to the theater, there is a bar and dining area for those guests who just want to enjoy a gourmet meal with friends.
