Gold Class is ALL Class!

March 27, 2010:

Gold Class Theater in Redmond

She Said:

It was a Saturday night. Brett and i were in pain from our shenanigans out on the town the previous night and decided to keep our evening simple: Dinner and a Movie.

We received a gift certificate to the Australia-born Gold Class Cinemas from a dear Aussie friend of ours who stayed with us over the summer, and had yet to use it. This seemed like the perfect opportunity.

"What is the Gold Class Theaters, Mandy?"

I'm glad you asked.

I will try my best to explain the luxury theaters' awesomeness and still do it justice...but before you read any further into this post... know that the Gold Class Theaters isn't one of the most cost-conscious theaters like those Brett and I listed in our Cheap Date Idea last week... You aren't going to leave this place spending less than $100 unless you have some secret trick* I don't know about...

But trust us - IT'S ALL WORTH IT.

This was the most comfortable, exclusive, swanky movie experience I've ever had. And yes, you pay a pretty penny for it, but it's totally worth it. And there's no other experience like it.

Let me start at the beginning.

Brett and I ventured out after purchasing our movie tickets (Shutter Island, 9.45pm showing) on the GCT Website. We made the trek over to the Eastside with little or no grumbling, knowing that we were in for a big treat (we don't cross the pond all to often!).

Since we arrived at Redmond Town Center (where the theater is located) a bit early, we decided to walk around the shops, and stop in at Spazzo for some flatbread and wine prior to the movie. [This was stupid. We had at our disposal all the food and drink we needed at the Theater, so just save your money! I was starving and grumpy, though, so i needed something in my belly, and when I get grumpy, Brett tends to humor my wishes or I eat him up.]

At about 9pm, we headed over the theater, and were seated in its spacious lobby. The place was immaculate. It looked like a hotel lobby -- plush seats and warm fireside lounges; a bar to the left boasting magnificent floral arrangements, and folks dressed to the nines -- for a MOVIE! We aren't in Kansas anymore, Toto...

We weren't seated in the bar, but in the lounge at a quaint little table.

We promptly ordered two beers and an Charcuterie Platter as an appetizer (meats and cheese platter that was a bit disappointing, for $12), as we looked over the menu. Our waitress promptly filled us in on how it all works -- we order food and drinks in the lobby, and then she brings our order to us in the theater once we're settled and seated. We requested to have our appetizer in the lobby to start, as we still had about a half our before the movie started.

Once we did finally head into the theater, we were BLOWN AWAY.

Giant overstuffed recliner chairs lined the room, in rows of 4. Each theater only holds about 30 people, so it's very intimate, very roomy, and VERY comfortable.

Brett and I have never felt so spoiled!

We promptly took our shoes off, sat back, and relaxed. Sipping beer and smiling at each other. A woman came up and offered us a blanket and a pillow -- I'm not one to refuse such offerings, and i welcomed them to my recliner with open arms.

Just as i was getting cozied up and the previews rolled onto the screen, our meals were delivered. What service! Brett ordered the steak sandwich ($19) and I got the portabella mushroom sliders ($11) -- both came with home-made potato slices, and both were excellent! Brett wasn't overly-impressed with his Strip Steak sandwich (a sandwich for $19, i think he expected someone to actually come out and feed it to him!) but I thought my mushies were excellent.

The movie came on and we were immediately mesmerized (for those of you who haven't seen Shutter Island yet, do so immediately!), almost to the point that we forgot we had food and beer right next to us! And if we ran out, we simply pressed the Concierge button on the table and a waitress would be with us lickety split, to bring us another round.

You'd probably think that waitresses coming in and out during an intense movie like Shutter Island would be a distraction, even annoying -- but surprisingly, we rarely noticed! The staff there is so discreet, and you are just so darned comfortable and happy, there's really nothing that can annoy you!

Brett hoped the movie was 4 hours long, but unfortunately it ended at just over 2 hours. As the lights turned on, we reluctantly slipped our shoes on and peeled ourselves out of the orange recliners, chatting about the twists and turns of the movie, and what film we hoped to see next at the Gold Class Theaters. Because we'll definitely be back.

It truly was a Date Night for the history books!

* = there IS a secret trick! Turns out, if you sign up for a membership, tickets are only $22, not $32! Yay! (Thanks Sarah Cason!)

RATINGS:

Gold Class Cinemas
www.goldclasscinemas.com
16451 Northeast 74th Street
Redmond, WA 98052-7801
(425) 636-5601

Romance: 4: snuggling in recliners next to your sweetie, drink in hand, while watching a new release? Does it GET more romantic?

Cool Ambiance/Interior: 4: The lobby felt a bit hotel-ly, but was swank and cool. VERY Redmond, as Brett would say.

All Around Service: 5: Doesnt' get better than the service at Gold Class Theaters.

Cost: $$$$ = $22+ -- yeah, it's not cheap...

Would we recommend it? 5: Yes! And can we come with you?