Fine dining experiences within theaters expand the experience for those that want more than just the movie…

1. 15-07-2010 Upgrading the movie munchies | CNN…
CNN International
| | | | | | | | | sign in
(/citypulse)
The movie theaters that offer restaurant quality
food
Movie theaters in Hong Kong, Bangkok and Mumbai are upgrading their movie munchies with fine
dine options
By Scott Rosenberg 27 January, 2010
EMAIL TWITTER FACEBOOK (HTTP://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SHARER.PHP?U=HTTP://WWW.CNNGO.COM/EXPLORATIONS/EAT/MOVIE-MUNCHIES-190168)
SHARE (HTTP://WWW.ADDTHIS.COM/BOOKMARK.PHP)
Watch a movie and do fine dining at Big Cinemas' theater/restaurant Cinediner in Mumb ai.
Another night out, with the family, your partner, yourself. So what is it going to be? Window shopping? Dinner? A
movie? Same old, same old!
Many people don't realize that as multiplex movie theaters spread like wildfire throughout Asian neighborhoods,
many of them are including fine dining experiences within the theaters themselves hoping to expand the
experience for those that want more than just the movie.
Here is a quick look at the dining options available in the movies in Hong Kong, Bangkok and Mumbai:
Hong Kong's traditional Chinese eats
So you've picked up your popcorn and your soda, and you're
headed for your seat when you get a craving for something
traditionally Chinese –- and then you see it the Curry Chicken
Burrito (HK$27) – wait, rewind.... Curry Chicken Burrito?? That
certainly does not sound Chinese to me.
Introduced at the new Hong Kong (http://www.cnngo.com/hong-kong) UA
iSQUARE 5 plex which houses 2 regular and 2 VIP theaters and the
largest Imax Theater in town, their concession stand is brimming
with new food products like the Curry Chicken Burrito (Ham and
Cheese Burrito will launch in February), a Smoked Turkey Sausage
with Cheddar Cheese (HK$18) made by U.S. based Johnsonville
UA iSQUARE's Curry Chicken Burrito and a non alcoholic malt drink brewed in Holland called Bavaria
(HK$22).
(HK$27).
Not your traditional concession buy, but healthy eats hit the spot
with a group of friends before the movies.
Where: UA iSQUARE, 7th Fl. i SQUARE, 63 Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
UA Theaters located throughout Hong Kong
Cost of a movie ticket: HK$60-70; HK$160-170 for IMAX tickets
Phone: +852 3516 8811
Website: www.uacinemas.com.hk (http://www.uacinemas.com.hk/eng/cinema/CinemaList?id=18)
Haute Cuisine in Bangkok
170 kilometers southeast of Bangkok (http://www.cnngo.com/bangkok)
is the beach resort town of Pattaya. If you get tired of the sun and
surf, you can always take in a movie at SFX Cinemas at Central
Festival Pattaya Beach.
cnngo.com/…/movie-munchies-190168 1/3

2. 15-07-2010 Upgrading the movie munchies | CNN…
And why not do it up right in SF's First Class Lounge. The cost of a
ticket is a bit more but gets you wait time in a plush lounge with lots
of all-you-can-eat cocktail food and coffee, tea or fruit juices thrown
in.
Prepared and laid out by SF's food and beverage manager for their
cinema business Napabha Jeenajaroen, the First Class Lounge is
also utilized by corporations holding small meetings and parties.
All-you-can-eat cocktail food and drinks at
SFX Cinema Pattaya Beach. The tapas tends to be more international than Thai. You also get
"free flow" popcorn and soft drinks in the theater during the movie.
First Class Lounge opens one hour prior to scheduled movie.
Where: 6th Fl. Central Festival Phuket, Chonburi, Thailand
SF Theaters located throughout Thailand
Cost of a movie ticket: 120 baht; 160 baht for a first class ticket
Phone: +66 (0) 3836 1500
Website: www.sfcinemacity.com (http://www.sfcinemacity.com/)
Movie Munchies in Mumbai
Movie Munchies from Big Cinemas is an actual menu of finger
foods, salads, sandwiches, fresh veggie rolls and wraps, coffee
and pizza deployed throughout the BIG Cinema theaters across
India and in early 2010 their circuit theaters in Malaysia,
Netherlands and the USA.
Developed by their in-house internationally acclaimed chef Arindam
Chakravarti, not only are some of their items available at the
concession stands but at their Mumbai (http://www.cnngo.com/mumbai)
R-City Mall theater location, they have opened a restaurant lounge
called Pause and an accompanying theater/restaurant called
Cinediner.
"Give 12 yummy tastes to your popcorn,"
"The majority of our customers are families and we want to provide
says Big Cinemas. them with a home away from home, enjoy a good meal and see a
good movie," said Archana Jhangiani, head of Reliance
MediaWorks' design studio who helped create the restaurant
theater concept. "In Cinediner, not only is our seating comfortable sofas with accompanying tables but we actually
have waiters servicing our customers."
Before you are put off by only Indian food available, their chicken meat hot dog (with caramelized onions and
homemade special mustard; Rs 70) beats any New York hot dog, I've ever eaten (warmed bun soft on the inside,
crispy on the outside) and their popcorn with 12 shaker toppings (Rs 60) to choose from offers something for
everyone.
Where: Big Cinemas at R-City Mall, 4th floor, LBS Marg, Ghatkopar (West) Mumbai
Cost of a movie ticket: Rs 200
Phone: +91 22 3074 1818
Website: www.bigcinemas.com (http://www.bigcinemas.com/IN/)
About the author: Award-winning entertainment journalist
Scott Rosenb erg, when not found lurking at concession
stands and VIP lounges in movie theaters around Asia, can
b e found at his home in Bangkok where he raises rare b reed
Thai Ridgeb ack dogs. Scott can also b e found in Northern
Thailand cavorting with Thailand's painting elephants. He can
b e reached at prdivision@gmail.com
(mailto:prdivision@gmail.com) .
Scott sub mitted this piece as part of CNNGo’s CityPulse
section. To find out what other stories we are looking for, go to
our CityPulse page (http://www.cnngo.com/write_for_us) .
Want to share your great food finds? Let us know:
editor@cnngo.com (mailto:editor@cnngo.com) .
Tags:
USER COMMENTS AND REVIEWS
What do you think?
Leave a comment or submit a review. You have to be logged in to comment.
POST (#)
cnngo.com/…/movie-munchies-190168 2/3

3. 15-07-2010 Upgrading the movie munchies | CNN…
CNNGo Comment Policy: CNN encourages you to add a comment to this discussion. You may not post any unlawful, threatening,
defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. All comments should be relevant to the topic and
remain respectful of other authors and commenters. You are solely responsible for your own comments, the consequences of posting
those comments, and the consequences of any reliance by you on the comments of others. By submitting your comment, you hereby
give CNN the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use,
license, print, distribute or otherwise use your comment(s) and accompanying personal identifying and other information you provide
via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. CNNGo Privacy Statement (/privacy) .
Comments are moderated by CNNGo, in accordance with the CNNGo Comment Policy above, and may not appear on this blog until
they have been reviewed and deemed appropriate for posting. Also, due to the volume of comments we receive, not all comments
will be posted.
cnngo.com/…/movie-munchies-190168 3/3