Dinner and a movie never was quite this grand. The Metrograph is a spot that pleases both the culinary and cultural tastebuds.
The Metrograph is the coolest combination of movie theater, lounge, restaurant, candy shop, and bookstore—all done-up in sleek art deco style on NYC’s lower east side. It’s the place where you can view a schedule of movies that cinema buffs go gaga over, including exclusive premieres and rare archival prints. I went to see the legendary Grace Jones in a documentary called Bloodlight and Bami with a couple of buddies, whose birthdays are a day apart. It was fabulous night.
PRE-SHOW DINNER
We got there early and had dinner at the Commisary first. I was not expecting it to be anything special, thinking The Metrograph would be more focused on a cinemamatic aspect, instead of the food. Boy, was I wrong. We were all wowed by the dishes that arrived.
What added to the pleasantry of the meal, was the quiet vibe of the space and its signature plates, comfortable chairs, and open skylight.
ART DECO AND MORE
The Metrograph’s design took its inspiration from the grand New York movie theaters of the 1920s and the Commissaries of the Hollywood Studio back lots. There was a very relaxed atmophere in the space filled with mismatched couches, a palm tree, sweet box office, all surrounded by industrial steel.
The little bookstore offers more for movie lovers, and has a collection that includes rare first-edition biographies of iconic directors and film journals.
After the movie we hung out at the bar and had a yummy chocolate cake in honor of the birthdays, and a couple of grand cocktails as well. As Alfred Hitchcock once stated,” For me, the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake. And you can have your cake here, and eat it too.
The Metrograph, 7 Ludlow St (betw Canal/Hester); memberships are available, which offer discounts and special access to showings and events
