CinéBistro Offers an Unforgettable Movie Night

Feb 2nd 2011 1:00PM / by Nanette Wiser

Want to enjoy dinner and a movie? Clever cocktails named after your favorite flick, tres chic décor, and yummy desserts, appetizers and dishes all set the stage for a great night out at CinéBistro Hyde Park Village.

The Skinny: With two locations in Tampa (Wesley Chapel) as well as Miami, Vail, Colo., and other cities, this nouveau concept features Dolby sound, stadium seating, online ticket sales in advance and gourmet meals, but you must be 21 and older to watch a movie at CinéBistro. The dining room is open to everyone for lunch, dinner or appetizers. You can rent the theater for catered business events.

The Food: Corporate Executive Chef Isaac Stewart's Italian entrees are molto benne, from the fettuccine in roasted garlic cream sauce and tomato basil spaghetti pasta with broccolini to the barbecue pork rib stack. Other dishes offered are the 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 a ginger tuna and salmon spring roll. They can then move on to share the Caesar or Cobb salad for an entrée, or one of the sandwiches, which are accompanied by shoestring or sweet potato fries.

Desserts: In the mood for just 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 starfruit or the tiramisu cupcake trio, washed down by a latte, mocha, espresso or herbal tea.

Imbibe: 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 10-ounce pours, with standouts such as Ferrari Carano Fume Blanc or Cabernet, Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc or Sonoma Cutrer Chardonnay.

The Experience: Best of all, you can bring your beverage into the theater, where you'll relax in oversized leather rockers, each equipped with its own table. The movie seating starts 30 minutes in advance, so you can enjoy your libation and comestible. The theater also is available for private rental, and CineBistro hosts public events, including Monday Night Football games and last spring, the "Sex In the City" release party and the "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 and soda pop round out the movie fare. In addition to the theater, there is a bar and dining area for guests who just want to enjoy a gourmet meal with friends.

CinéBistro Hyde Park, 1609 W. Swann Ave., Hyde Park Village; 813-514-8300
CinéBistro @ Grove 16, 6333 Wesley Grove Blvd.; 813-948-5444