The Theater Café, or in local folklore simply 'TC', is this sort of multi-purpose place for drinks, lunches, a la carté dinners and late night debauchery. This place has been somewhat of a local staple for as long as I can remember, neither has much changed over the years except for keeping up with food trends and always standing out enough to retain a steady flow of customers. In the summers they have a large outdoor seating area where they also have live music from time to time. The dining area is contemporary modern in the scale of grey, comfortable chairs, wooden oak floors and a nice contrast with red brick walls that creates an interesting blend. It is calm and relaxing. The whole place fits, as I previously said, many purposes. They have affordable lunches and great Friday afternoon after work specials. The a la carté dinners, that I've had on several occasions, are well prepared with good flavors. The best dish I've had at TC was a filet of char served with seared foie gras and lentils. Interesting, borderline provocative but truly well thought out. Some other decent dishes I remember is a reindeer carpaccio and a dessert with chocolate, raspberries and buckthorn powder. However, the meat dishes I've eaten there have been correct to the temperature ordered but cut too soon without being well-rested so the meat bleeds all the juices out onto the plate. This creates both a dry meat and deducts from the overall impression of the presented dish.
Their bar is well-stocked although the bartenders are perhaps not the sharpest I've come across, a bit clumsy and not entirely on point with flavors. It is however more than adequate for a drop-in drink in a suitable afternoon of choice. Upstairs is a modern banquet hall that can accommodate a dinner for 70 people. I've had dinner there twice, but they don't manage this as good as they do their a la carté downstairs. I'd say it's acceptable, but nothing above that. This area during the weekends are usually converted to a dance floor and turned into a nightclub, hence the reference to late night debauchery that's also occured in this very establishment.
It's another one of those restaurants that more than adequate satisfy both your appetite and that feeling of having some time for yourself and your friends or your partner. It doesn't however leave any lasting impressions that draws you back in anytime soon. read more