Endia FontanezArizona Republic
Harkins has debuted its first-ever dine-in theater. The Arizona-based movie theater franchise opened Ciné Grill in north Peoria on Friday, July 14 — just in time for "Barbenheimer" weekend.
Unlike many dine-in theaters, you don't have to see a movie to visit the Harkins Ciné Grill. There is a dining room and bar separate from the theaters. But, if you are seeing a movie, you can go straight to your seat and order using the call button that's installed in every chair. Guests are encouraged to order before or during the previews so that servers don't have to interrupt the movie when they deliver food.
You can also place your food order at the same time you order your tickets online and your food will be delivered to your seat when you arrive.
Ordering isn't just an option, it's the only option. And that is perhaps my favorite part: the complete absence of a concession stand.
I can recall far too many times showing up even 30 minutes early to a movie and still running out of time trying to get my popcorn before the previews. At the Ciné Grill, rather than waiting in a long line for concessions, items like popcorn, candy and soda are listed under the Classics section. They can be ordered right to your seat just like the other menu items.
Biggest restaurant openings of 2023: Hipster Mexican to Japanese-Sonoran fusion
What's on the Ciné Grill menu?
Whatever idea you have in your mind about what constitutes "movie theater food," get rid of it. The Ciné Grill goes way above and beyond average hot dogs and pretzels.
The menu is split into sections with movie-related names: previews (appetizers), features (entrees), end credits (desserts) and special effects (drinks).
Previews include hot buffalo wings ($15), Hollywood hummus ($13), carne asada fries ($13), crispy roasted brussels ($9) and the Ciné Grill artisanal board ($19).
The features section includes the Cinema burger ($17), Blockbuster chicken sandwich ($16), carne asada ultimate nachos ($16), a Sonoran bacon-wrapped hot dog ($16), 10-inch pizzas ($13 to $15) and creamy mac and cheese ($14). Options that are gluten-free and/or vegan or vegetarian are labeled as such.
For dessert, there are three options: s'mores skillet brownie ($10), baked cookie trio ($7) and a milkshake ($9).
The enormous drinks menu includes fountain drinks ($6), coffee ($4 to $7), co*cktails ($10 to $14), beer ($7 to $9.50), wine by the bottle ($37 to $98) or glass ($11 to $16.50), and seltzers, cider and lemonade ($8). And ICEE co*cktails. Yep, you read that right.
What is the Ciné Grill really like?
I had to check it out, so I went to the Ciné Grill on opening night.
An employee welcomed me at the door and asked what movie I was there to see. Sadly, all showings for both movies (there were really only two of note last weekend) were sold out, so I told him I was there just to eat.
I'm not sure what I expected the dining room to look like, but the dim mood lighting and warm accents made me feel like I was at a more upscale restaurant than I'd imagined would be housed inside a movie theater. The server brought me a menu and I ordered two appetizers and an entree: chips and guacamole ($12), brussels sprouts ($9) and a burger ($17), which were all genuinely good.
The crispy roasted brussels were topped with sweet chili glaze and crunchy shallots and the burger made of grilled Angus beef came topped with lettuce, tomato and red onion. I swapped out the regular bun for a gluten-free bun and added cheese and bacon.
My hands-down favorite were the chips and guacamole from the previews menu. The guacamole came sprinkled with pomegranate, pepitas and cotija and I haven't stopped craving it since I left the theater.
The only things that reminded me I was indeed inside a movie theater were the Harkins logo on my soda cup and the guests clad in all-pink Barbie getups.
I look forward to going back to try the carne asada nachos, which one of the servers raved about. Though next time, I'll order my tickets ahead and pair my dinner with a movie.
How to visit Harkins Ciné Grill
Hours vary day by day depending on movie showtimes. The kitchen opens 30 minutes before the first showing of the day and closes 45 minutes after the last showing starts.
Details: 25406 N. Lake Pleasant Parkway, Peoria. 623-473-9140, harkins.com.
Reach the reporter atendia.fontanez@gannett.com. Follow@EndiaFontanezon Twitter.
Support localjournalism.Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
