Key Points:
- reclining chairs…read more- Table/"chair" service
- Great selection of food
The Mrs. and I really enjoy coming to THE LOT City Center in San Ramon to watch movies. It's definitely a step up from the movie theaters we grew up with, where the experience was basically a rocking chair, popcorn, soda, a hot dog, and some candy.
Here they have reclining seats, tray tables, and QR-code menus where you can order food and drinks right from your seat. They'll actually bring your order to you during the movie. The theater is clean, comfortable, and an overall cozy atmosphere.
Food Variety is solid. We've had burgers, ahi poke nachos, carne asada tacos, calamari, and of course, the Mrs. And The Little One's favorite, buttered popcorn! The food is actually quite decent. Is it the best food we've ever had? No. But hey, we're eating in a movie theater!
We recently brought The Little One here for her first-ever movie theater experience. She loved it, even though she's a bit sensitive to noise. I think the comfortable seats and overall atmosphere helped ease her into it.
Is the food pricey? Yes. But honestly, that's not particularly surprising for a dine-in movie theater. You're paying for the convenience and the overall experience, not just the food itself.
I also recently noticed that the place has a separate restaurant area, named ZENTRL Kitchen + Bar, which I haven't tried yet. It looks like it could be worth checking out on its own. They also serve breakfast until 2 p.m., including pancakes, chilaquiles, huevos rancheros, and other brunch items.
My next item on the bucket list is likely going to be a movie brunch. Just like Marshall, it can't just be for one. . Going to be dragging the Mrs. And The Little One along.
I know there are other theaters these days offering reclining seats, dine-in service, and upgraded amenities, so THE LOT isn't necessarily unique. But compared with the theaters we've personally been to, I'd say this place does a particularly good job and stands out in our book. For now, it's one of our favorite places for a movie, especially when we want the movie itself to feel like a little outing rather than just a trip to the theater.