Let me begin with a bit of a disclaimer. I formed an opinion on Cinebarre long before I went there with the actual purpose of writing a review.
It was an opinion formed from extensive experience, however. Cinebarre has been my go-to movie theater for years. I love pretty much everything about it.
And, really, as long as you’re 21 or older, what’s not to love? Watch a movie, enjoy a drink, have plenty of room in the spacious seats.
So, if you’ve never had the pleasure, what is Cinebarre? In short, it’s a movie theater in Mountlake Terrace where you can order dinner and drinks from the comfort of your seat. It is, without question, the best way to watch a movie.
Cinebarre has a bar in the lobby, surrounded by an array of cozy couches and arm chairs. On nice days you can also sit outside on the patio. I like to show up early, grab a beer or cocktail from the full bar and catch up with my friends before going into see the show.
The theaters all feel roomy. Rows of seats have been removed to make way for tables. The seats are large and comfortable. I can easily sit cross-legged in one without feeling cramped. Cinebarre also minimizes the annoying pre-show ads. What they do show is quiet enough you can usually ignore it. Sometimes they even show adorable shorts, like an irresistible film of kids playing with a box.
And the food? The food is good, too. The menu items all have movie names, which makes ordering more entertaining than it should be.
On my most recent trip I started off with a Bees Knees cocktail ($9) out on the patio before the movie. It had gin, lemon and honey syrup. It was tasty, and a good drink to enjoy on a warm day. The lemon and honey balanced out the gin well — it was an easy drinking cocktail.
(When I’m at Cinebarre I often order a Cinebrew, a Scotch ale. It’s hard to find Scotch ales around, and the Cinebrew is good. It’s dark, strong and slightly sweet, without being overpowering. It’s a lovely beer.)
Once we actually went into the theater — to see “X-Men: Apocalypse,” which was entertaining but not worthy of naming a menu item after — I ordered a Fight Club ($13). That’s a chicken burger made with a grilled chicken breast, bacon, swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and chipotle mayonnaise, all served with a generous portion of fries. The Fight Club is one of my favorite things on the menu. It’s tasty and filling. I like the bacon and swiss together and the chipotle adds just the right amount of kick.
Now, about the fries. I’m usually ambivalent about fries, but Cinebarre does something unusual to them. I can’t quite figure out what it is. Maybe it’s because, even though they’re thin, the fries manage to be perfectly crispy on the outside without losing the softness on the inside. Maybe it’s the salt and seasoning they use. Maybe it’s how good they taste dipped in ranch dressing. Maybe it’s whatever addictive substance they cook them in. Whatever. I’m in love with the fries. You can even order a heaping plate of them by themselves ($8.)
My friend ordered a pizza for his main course. When you order pizza at most movie theaters, the result can be unpredictable, to put it kindly. Not so at Cinebarre, where the dough is made from scratch and the 10-inch personal pizzas are baked fresh. He ordered The Italian Job ($14), named for the 1969 heist caper (or perhaps for the 2003 remake). It delivered on its promise of pepperoni, piled high, and it tasted like oven-fired pizza you’d find at a quality pizzeria.
Cinebarre also boasts delicious milkshakes made with hand-dipped ice cream. My pizza-eating companion, who also has high standards for his milkshakes, said his chocolate shake was thick and tasty — the perfect treat for a warm late-spring day. Like any good shake, it left him wanting more.
My other friend picked the Pamburger, a veggie burger made with black beans, brown rice and veggies. She opted to add cheddar (you can also choose provolone or swiss). The burger was a solid choice: It came topped with pickles (which I ate for her — she hates pickles), juicy tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and onions, as well as a tangy sauce. The bun was airy, and the veggie patty itself was light without being insubstantial, making it an excellent companion for the perfectly crisp and salty fries. She said the flavor of the patty got a bit lost among the toppings, but that the burger was satisfying all the same. Tip: Help yourself to a lot of napkins as you eat — you’ll need them.
Cinebarre also offers a few dessert options. We didn’t get any for our “X-Men” viewing, but I often do indulge. Half Baked are my favorite: freshly baked chocolate cookies, just the slightest bit underdone. They’re perfect, and there’s plenty to share. I’m also fond of the Princess Leias, six fresh cinnamon rolls with frosting for dipping. Those are also great for sharing.
Oh, and I should mention if you can’t have a movie without popcorn, they offer a huge bowl of popcorn. I’ve never had it, but it smells amazing.
One tip if you go to Cinebarre, and you really should, is to arrive early. Part of the pleasure is that Cinebarre is an easy place to hang out. Lounge on the sofas and sip a drink. Then, with plenty of time before the move starts, go find a seat, peruse the menu and order food. Then, by the time the show starts, you’ll have fries to enjoy and a drink to sip. Cheers.
Cinebarre
6009 244th St. SW, Mountlake Terrace, 425-672-7501; www.regmovies.com.
Hours: Depends upon movies. Check schedule on website.
Speciality: American food and drinks at a movie theater.
Alcohol: Full bar
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