South Bay dine-in theaters open soon

CAMPBELL >> The phrase “dinner and a movie” will soon take on new meaning when the Pruneyard Shopping Center’s seven movie houses reopen as dine-in luxury movie theaters.

The former Camera 7 Cinemas in Campbell drew the curtains for remodeling last April and could reopen them as early as next week as the newly named Pruneyard Cinemas.

“The best case would be a March 28 opening, knock on wood,” co-owner Jack NyBlom said. “But that would be just for movies.”

Nyblom plans to mark the occasion by showing Steven Spielberg’s “Ready Player One” and the PG-13rated “Isle of Dogs.”

Construction workers were busy late last week installing lobby carpeting and adding other finishing touches.

“We can see the finish line,” Cinema and Event Director Mary Brandon said. “We’re excited to offer people food service at their seats. You’ll be given a menu when you come in and then a server will come to your seat to take your order. It will be delivered before the movie starts.”

Patrons who want food brought to their seats simply push a button to summon a server.

Another button activates the reclining seats that come with footrests. Little tray tables with big cup holders swing in front of the seats for easy dining.

Servers will be trained to take and deliver orders in stealth mode, Brandon said, so moviegoers aren’t disturbed.

“We call it stealth mode because the servers will all be dressed in black,” Brandon said. “We’re even training them to speak quietly because we want to be spoton when we open.”

Chef Jaime Arteaga, one of about 100 employees hired by the cinemas, plans to offer a diverse menu that includes flatbreads, panini sandwiches, fried pickles, crispy chickpeas and salads.

The kitchen is connected to the theaters in Pizza My Heart’s former spot.

The former Boswell’s bar is now the Cedar Room, which offers a full bar, including 22 beers on tap.

“We’ll focus on California beers and wines,” Cedar Room manager Drew Johnson said. “We’ll also have a bright cocktail menu, with tropical-inspired ‘tiki’ drinks and classic cocktails with a twist.”

Bar patrons can order food from the kitchen, watch sports on two flat screen TVs, play pool and listen to live music come this summer.

The Cedar Room’s walls are covered in wood, much of it reclaimed from Boswell’s, Johnson said.

The multiplex has two large theaters that seat more than 100 and five smaller ones that seat 60 or fewer. Brandon thinks the smaller theaters will be popular birthday party or corporate event spaces.

And traditionalists have nothing to fear — movie patrons can still buy popcorn, candy and soft drinks at the lobby concession stand.

In addition to the theaters’ transformation, the Pruneyard’s owners recently completed the shopping center’s first upgrade in nearly 20 years. New walkways are supposed to make it easier to get around the outdoor mall, and seating areas and gathering places are spread throughout the property.

There are new businesses coming in, too. One that’s expected to open soon is Teaspoon, which will offer tea drinks made in a specially designed espresso machine.

Street food vendor Asian Box, whose motto is “farm to box to street food,” is also scheduled to open soon.