{Contributing writer: Jeanne Muchnick}
You want to go to the movies. But you also want to have dinner. So, why not combine the two? The Alamo Drafthouse in Yonkers does just that. Good, quality food — think burgers, sandwiches, pizza, salads, not to mention amazing craft beers, assorted cocktails and vino –as well as bottomless popcorn, baked to warm cookies and adult-shakes like Marker’s Mark Milk Punch Shake (bourbon, vanilla ice cream, nutmeg, whipped cream) and a Stout Shake (you-choose-the-beer and ice cream). And while I don’t have photos to show you of my meal (it was too dark and photos are not allowed in the theater), I can show you the view from my seat before I ordered.
The experience is like being in a restaurant, just minus the lights, with an emphasis on quality food, local breweries, first-class programming and old-time fun (how can you not love a Grease sing-a-long or an ode to college life with a showing of Animal House?). Shows run the gamut from old time classics to new movies like We Are the Millers.
Here’s the drill: You walk in (ideally a half hour before showtime so you have time to check out the menu, and grab your assigned seat). You sit down (there is a counter-like table in front of all the seats). A server comes to explain the process…you look at the menu, write down what you want on the order sheet, place your order upright so the wait staff can “see” it when you’re ready…and then sit back and enjoy the show. Anytime you need anything – extra napkins, more ketchup, another drink – you write it down and your server will come by (they move quickly – often hunched over — so as not to interrupt your viewing pleasure). Bills are offered towards the end of the showing, though sometimes it’s better to wait till the lights come up and settle at the end.
My husband and I saw Blue Jasmine last week and the experience was beyond stellar. In fact it was so amazing – pristine accommodations, comfy seating and no goofy commercials (instead snippets from Woody Allen’s Stardust Memories playing as we walked into the theater– that I couldn’t wait to tell my friends (aka YOU) and write this blog.
What I loved best – aside from being able to sip a fine Chardonnay at the exact moment the onscreen heroine was pouring herself a glass — is the theater’s no-holes-barred-no talking-no texting policy, meaning no unaccompanied kids and a zero-tolerance policy towards talking and texting during the movie. Do it once and you’ll receive a warning. Do it a second time and expect to be kicked out without a refund.
FYI: My second visit wasn’t as great as my first. (This time we saw Hostages.) Our order took an hour and a half (a Greek salad with steak on top and a burger) with no free popcorn until I pretty much demanded it as I was beyond hungry (and very close to dropping the “f” bomb). Because you’re in a movie theater and want to see the movie, you don’t want to leave your seat to complain. Nor is it that easy to wave your waiter down. Every time I asked (in as low a whisper as I could) why others who ordered after us were being served the answer was “Different meals take different times to cook.” Really? Isn’t everyone else getting salad and/or a burger? The menu is pretty limited for that kind of response. When pressed further, our server said it was my “steak.” I pleaded to just bring me salad without steak on top. When they did, my husband’s burger arrived ice cold.
In the end they comped us for the meal – but not the glass of wine and beer we got earlier – as any “good” restaurant would. End result: I still like this place a lot. But next time I might just go with drinks and popcorn. That, or just don’t go super hungry.
{IntoxiKate Tip}
Tuesdays are Discount Days with $3 local brews and $7.50 tickets (normally tickets are $12).
{Alamo Drafthouse, 2548 Central Park Ave., Yonkers, (914) 226-3082, drafthouse.com/nyc_area}
