Movie watching just got served.Enter Gold Class Cinema in The Domain. Swanky lounge, servers in all black, unique cocktails, stemless wine glasses, above average menu and wait for it... velvety theater seats that recline... all the way. Add a hidden compartment for your purse and a blanket and I thought I might never leave.
Except I did because I hate to say it, but the service was only so-so. There are so many people involved - the lounge is literally swarming with staff - that it's kinda a "too many cooks" situation. Different servers take your order and deliver it in the theater so there is no continuity. Orders are taken verbally so it's hard to be heard when the movie is on. They don't let you keep the menu so you have to ask for it if you want something else (at least our lady didn't). It seemed to take a long time to get things. One chick actually sounded annoyed that we buzzed for someone so we could order more drinks. Uhmmm.... isn't that your job?! The whole time, from the time we got our tickets to the time we paid our bill, I felt like I was the only person not in on the joke. The "deal" was never really explained to us, we sorta fumbled our way through the evening.
The "deal" is when you buy your tickets ($29 regular, $22 for members - sign up on line, it's free), they also swipe your credit card for your seat (which is assigned as there are only 40 seats in each theater). That way your orders are automatically added to your tab and your check is brought toward the end of the movie. Any server can access your tab using your seat number. If you are in a group and want to sit by a certain person, set that up now or someone else will get billed for your stuff (and in that case, get the lobster!). It's really best to eat in the lounge or at least to order in the lounge and they can time it to come while you're in the movie. Oh and you don't go right in and sit - they tell you when to go in, roughly 10 or so minutes before showtime (which was very prompt).
The food was really very good and now that I know the drill, I can pay more attention to the whole menu and by the whole menu, I mean the cocktail and wine list! It was just too overwhelming to think straight last night.
But the minute you sit in that recliner and they bring you a fuzzy blanket and you get your seat adjusted just right... you will never, ever be satisfied with a straight-backed, knees-in-your-chest, old popcorn, sticky floor movie experience again.
Movies. You got served!
Gold Class Cinema
3225 Amy Donovan Plaza (the end near Braker, South of Macy's, in the newer part)
Austin, Texas 78758
512.568.3400
You definitely wore better shoes than I did! Of course, you were seeing Sex in the City 2 and I was seeing Iron Man 2. :-)
ReplyDeleteI agree about having to order verbally. I almost felt like I was yelling at one point. But, reclining with a blanket.......almost everyone sat through the credits to the end!
Ha! It was very comfortable!
ReplyDeleteHey - you're my winner, so when can we go to lunch?!
did you feel like you were cheating on the drafthouse?
ReplyDeleteHa again! But no and I'll tell you why:
ReplyDeleteGold Class is the date you take out with your boss, to an old girlfriend's wedding or to meet your grandparents. She's very pretty, witty, can hold an intelligent conversation and her liquor.
Alamo is the date you take to baseball games, to the lake or to a Foo Fighters concert. She's super cute, funny, can hold her own with the guys and with a whiskey and beer back (until she starts to get alittle slurry and cries when you want to take her home).
that might be the perfect description.
ReplyDeletei thank you for knowing your audience. :)