Best Movie Theater: Star Cinema Grill
Even before the pandemic made first run movie watching an at-home thing, movie theaters were trying to make the cinema experience similar to an evening in one’s own living room. They installed recliners, opened full-service kitchens and allowed for adult beverages to mimic the perks viewers enjoyed in their own homes. Star Cinema Grill began with this model in mind but it offers some impressive touches you just can’t duplicate under your own roof.
For instance, unless a skilled chef regularly cooks in your humble kitchen, the food at Star is going to best whatever you’ve got. Popcorn, pretzels, pizza and the rest of the Keyser Soze-like usual suspects are there, but the big twist ending is gourmet-level offerings like melt-in-your-mouth togarashi seared tuna, pork belly cauliflower rice stir fry topped with gochujang and fresh made doughnuts with tasty dipping sauces. Sip a soda or chardonnay, a craft beer or house-crafted cocktails with names like “Halle Berry” (blueberry vodka) or a pecan-infuse bourbon drink dubbed the “Matthew Pecanaughey.” Alright, alright, alright!
Most excitingly, Star’s Richmond/Katy location — one of eight Houston area locations, with three in Illinois — delivers its movies on advanced cinema LED technology. The theater boasts Samsung’s rare Onyx screening system. It’s active in only 17 of the world’s countries and in only two U.S. theaters. That puts Star Cinema Grill at the forefront of innovative movie theater experiences. It’s all coming from a Houston-based chain, not some Jack Lemmon and Sandy Dennis-like out-of-towners (you like that, cinephiles?!) but home-towners luring movie-watchers everywhere from their dens and into Houston movie theaters.
Multiple locations
starcinemagrill.net
This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2022.
