MX Movie Theater

EDIT: I feel that I need to update this post since it's only a little over a year old and things have changed. I went back this past weekend (August 2014) and I was quite surprised to see that the menu was quite different. Instead of the gourmet menu, the new menu just consists of "upscale bar food" like toasted ravs, flatbread pizzas, chicken fingers, and quesadillas for example. While we did enjoy our food, it was NOTHING like what it had been.

Another disappointment was that eTab ordering tablets were not working. That is the WHOLE fun of going to MX. If nothing else, the bartender was EXTREMELY friendly and helpful. We placed our order with her and she WALKED us to our seat so she could send our food to us in the theater when it was ready. I really wish I had tipped her more...

I hope to try another "movie dine-in" place somewhere else...

From March 2013...

I finally got to try my first “dining movie theater” last night at The MX downtown on Washington. First off, I am so thrilled that they redeveloped the building and I’m happy to see that there is a movie theater in the downtown area again as well. Not to mention, happy to see another Pi location as well as a second Robust location across the street from the MX on Washington. If you’re a tourist, this is where you want to be!

I went downtown a little early because I didn’t know if it was going to be crowded at the theater or in the area but it wasn’t bad at all…probably from the lack of sporting events.

I found the 7th street garage pretty easily, despite the construction, and there was plenty of parking in the garage. What was really nice, is that the movie theater is on the same level as the garage, making it very easy to find. I was very impressed when I first walked in since the lobby was actually a large bar with the Final Four game on! Very cozy.

I turned in my “receipts” that I had printed off from the website, where I had purchased tickets, and exchanged them for a real ticket. I also knew to ask for a $1 parking coupon so that when I left, I put the coupon into the machine (after my garage parking ticket), and it covered me for the time I was in the movie! Just be sure to know which coupon is which since they are identical. Luckily, I noticed that the theater coupon had the word “theater” on it!

The theater opened the doors for the show about 30 minutes before the start time and I quickly learned that it’s important to get there early for the dining part! Not only do you need time to click around on the e-Tab machine to figure out what you want, but you also want to start eating before the movie starts! While it’s very easy to reach into a box of popcorn, I had to use the light from my cell phone (sorry neighbors) to fork my dinner.

It took me a second to find the electronic menu…I was taking off my coat and noticed the “tablet device” under another row’s seat. (Instructions were not given until the previews had started.) I was really impressed with the menu because there were quite a few delicious appetizers, even though the sandwiches and entrees were limited to just four each. The only downfall is that everything was quite pricy.

I ordered a beer on draft and then was kicking myself when I saw someone had ordered a bottle of Matilda, from Goose Island, which is one of my favorites. (Don’t worry, I hung out in the bar afterwards and got to order one then.) So I took my time with the food to try and figure out if I wanted a salad (only two to choose from) or to try an appetizer.

I selected the shrimp tacos (of course) and they were two, cute mini soft tacos. Even though they were small in size, they were stuffed full with shrimp and flavor. I highly recommend them. My friend was kind enough to order the beer cheese dip with chips and although I love cheese, it was a little bland. I couldn't help it but I ordered the most expensive item on the menu, the scallops at $15. I got five or six small scallops on a long plate with roasted potato wedges and peppers. Excellent and filling!

We went to the 6:15pm showing and it was not crowded for a Saturday night. I wonder if there are busier times or nights? Maybe when more tourists are around? But definitely a fun night out to try once.

I will probably try Des Peres and West Olive in the future to see if I can find a movie I actually want to see (MX only has three theaters) and perhaps more variety of food that isn’t so pricy, although I know it probably won’t be as tasty as my scallops.

Resources:

MX Movies = http://mxstl.com/about-the-mx/entertainment/mx-movies