december 2015 MARKETPLACEcontracosta.com 35 ERIC EdWARdS, JOhNNy hICKS, ANd ERIC BRyANT KAlE CAESAR SAlAd theater were restored. Soon after the restoration, the theater reopened as the “Cerrito Speakeasy”, but closed again in May 2009. A few months later, the theater reopened once again as the Rialto Cinemas® Cerrito. Boyd and O’Rand also own the Rialto Cinemas® Elmwood in Oakland, and plan to open a new Sebastopol venue in the near future. In May 2013, the SCENE Wine Bar was opened as an extension of the theater. Although the wine bar is located within the theater building and can be accessed from the theater lobby, it is a separate business conveniently accessible to movie patrons, but also open to the general public. SCENE boasts a variable selection of fine wines and draft beers, most of which are locally sourced. An assortment of espresso drinks and non-alcoholic San Pellegrino beverages are also available. SCENE also offers a separate menu of sharable plates, appetizers, paninis and desserts—lighter bites to enjoy while sipping a glass of wine or beer and mingling with friends or fellow moviegoers. For those who haven’t been to a dine-in movie theater, you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised when visiting the Rialto Cinemas® Cerrito. Traditional movie-goers can still buy the standard popcorn, candies, and soft drinks from the concession stand. however, customers who arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of the movie can also order from a full menu featuring various types of pizzas; hot and cold appetizers; sandwiches and burgers; and a generous salad assortment. There are also separate kids’ meal selections. All menu items are freshly prepared when ordered at the on-site kitchen, under the direction of Kitchen Manager, Jonathan hicks, with assistance from a full staff of cooks. After ordering, customers may be seated inside the theater, displaying their order number, and wait for their food to be delivered to their seats by theater staff. long tables positioned in front of theater seating make it convenient to eat while watching the movie. Motivated guests may also choose to arrive early to get to the limited comfy couch seating near the front of the theater, each with small round tables on which to place their food and drinks. Also noteworthy is that in addition to soft drinks and bottled water, an assortment of up to 10 draft beers, as well as red or white wines by the glass or by the bottle, may be ordered from the concession stand for consumption in the theater. SCENE Wine Bar offers customers different selections of wines and beers than what is available at the theater concession stand. The menu includes Red, White, Rose, and Sparkling Wines. As previously mentioned, the wine and beer selections offered at SCENE vary frequently as management continuously works to bring the finest wines to patrons at reasonable prices. While many are procured from local sources, SCENE also feature imports from areas such as Spain, France, Italy, Argentina, and New Zealand—all available by the glass or by the bottle. Three draft beers from local breweries are also always available on a rotating basis. SCENE’s interior is small and intimate, with table and bar seating that can accommodate approximately 20 people. The tasteful décor features large framed movie posters on the walls, and soft, suspended lamp lighting. Bottles of wine are neatly arranged in wine racks extending nearly to the ceiling. Soft, tasteful music plays in the background, allowing for easy, casual conversation. lead bartender, Eric Bryant, who has worked at SCENE since it opened in 2013, tends bar five
Contra Costa Marketplace - Dec 2015
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