Dine-In Movie Theater Opens At Old Orchard

SKOKIE, IL — The first of two new movie theaters at the Old Orchard mall opened up this week with six screens. The new dine-in concept from CMX Cinemas hopes to become a "community destination" by including a full service kitchen, bar and lounge with large television screens.

The luxury concept features oversized upholstered and leather chairs that can be reclined all the way back using a control pad. Each seat also has a call button to alert waitstaff, who are trained to serve moviegoers silently (like "ninjas") during the middle of films.

CMX is a subsidiary of Cinemex with a total of 30 locations and 342 screens. It first brought its VIP dine-in model of theater from Mexico to Miami in April. This week, staff from the Miami location were in Skokie to train staff and put the finishing touches on the new location.

Patrons reserve seats ahead of time, and there's ample space in between each pair of plush recliners. Tickets range from $24-26.

From the curated menu to the specially-trained servers, the focus is on keeping things quiet, according to Executive Corporate Chef Kristin Tiritilli.

"Nothing can be too loud," said the Morton Grove native, the founding chef of the former North Side restaurant Tilli's. She said it was difficult at first to adjust to consider whether something could be effectively consumed in the dark without disturbing fellow patrons.

Nevertheless, Tiritilli has put together a menu with a wide array of tasty choices. Appetizers, including the popular tuna crudo, chicken tenders and popcorn shrimp, run from about $10-15.

Pizzas, sandwiches and salads go for about $15. Entrees range from skirt steak, pasta and lobster mac & cheese and priced at around $20 each.

As for drinks, the full bar includes a reasonable selection of beer and wine – plus milkshakes, with or without booze. You can order standard $11 cocktails or select from an array of creative signature cocktails. including a take on the Old Fashioned using 12-year-old Flor De Cana rum, a grapefruit included "Tequila Mockingbird" and the Geniune, a gin & tonic variation with sliced strawberry and muddled basil, according to head bartender Eduardo Escala.

The theater is shooting for a more refined and adult-friendly feel. In addition to plans to attract attendees for major televised live events, such as sports, the location is well positioned to host private or corporate events.

Its half dozen screening rooms range from 27 to 107 seats and the screens can be programmed completely from a mobile app – allowing for custom showings and control of lights and environmental factors.

Each seat also has a personal blanket, reading lamp and USB port. Three of the theaters are 3D capable.

The other CMX movie theater at Old Orchard will be a different concept, according to company marketing representatives. It is still under construction and slated to open before the summer.

_{Top photo: Courtesy CMX}