By Amber McIver-Traywick

The Surveyor

A night on the town got a little easier with the new MetroLux Dine-In Theater, located at 285 E. Third St., in Loveland, opening just a few miles from Berthoud, last month. The theater, which includes its own restaurant, Scripted Bar & Kitchen, offers reserved luxury-recliner seating and in-seat full-service dining in all its auditoriums, making dinner and a movie incredibly convenient.

I had the pleasure of experiencing the dine-in movie experience recently at the theater and it exceeded my expectations.

The food was good and, if eating during your movie doesn’t appeal, hitting up the stylish restaurant and bar located at the front of the theater would be well worth it. Grab a seat at the high-top counter by the windows to watch the action across the street in the beautiful Foundry courtyard while you enjoy a meal or a drink before your movie. The full-service bar serves a wide variety of cocktails, including top liquor brands, a full selection of wine, a wide assortment of craft draft and bottled beer, and a variety of non-alcoholic drinks as well.

When I think about food at a movie theater, I think insanely overpriced popcorn and nachos with hydrogenated-oil-cheese-food. It’s not to say I’m above eating that cheese-food on occasion, but generally delicious fresh American bistro-style food and movie theaters don’t go hand-in- hand. At this theater, however, the on-site restaurant serves up delicious options like the grilled chicken sandwich I enjoyed, made with Red Bird Chicken Breast, Haystack Mountain Dairy Goat Cheese, butter lettuce, tomato, onion, Cajun aioli and served on a brioche bun with a side of crispy sweet potato fries. Other menu items include truffle fries, tempura battered fried pickles, kale salad, salmon cakes, pan roasted pork loin, veggie burgers, a 30 oz. “Cowboy Steak” with a balsamic blackberry demi-glace, and even a kid’s menu. The dessert menu is also worth mentioning. I had the churro donuts with vanilla ice cream and a chocolate drizzle served about halfway through the film I watched, and it was as good as it sounds. Food prices are comparable to most chain dine-in restaurants, but the overall quality is better.

If you’re a traditionalist when it comes to movie viewing, popcorn, and good old-fashioned movie concessions are also available.

Now on to the movie experience itself.

Each seat is equipped with a moveable tray table, cup holder, and its very own call button that alerts your wait staff when you need something. I made my food selection prior to the movie starting and the food arrived even before the trailers began. I hit my button once during the film and my very friendly waitress was there in exactly 23 seconds – I counted.

The theater offers reserved luxury recliners and in-seat full-service dining in all auditoriums; plus features an MXL auditorium with a curved wall-to-wall screen, 4K laser projection, premiere immersive digital sound and heated luxury recliners – and if you usually freeze in movie theaters like I do, the two-setting seat heaters are amazing. The MXL auditorium, although slightly more expensive for a ticket provides an exceptional movie-going experience. I was able to watch the movie “Ad Astra,” a movie that primarily takes place in the vastness of space, in the MXL theater, and the combination of the sound quality along with the enormous, high-def screen, completely enhanced the film.

Parking is easy – and with winter on its way, conveniently located and covered, in the new free Foundry Parking Garage between South Lincoln Avenue and North Cleveland Avenue on Second Street. Exit out of the north facing doors and a short walk across the courtyard will get you to the theater entrance.

Special discount pricing is available for matinees, children under 12, seniors 60 and over, and “Bargain Tuesdays” are always a budget-friendly way to enjoy a film. Sign up for “M Rewards” to earn points for qualifying dollars spent at both MetroLux locations to redeem for tickets and concessions. Reserve your seats ahead of time at www.metrotheatres.com and enjoy.