NADINE KAM / NKAM@STARADVERTISER.COM
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The movie theater, long home to simple hand-to-mouth snacks, can no longer ignore foodie culture and people who reserve seats or purchase tickets early, only to take their dining dollars elsewhere.
Consolidated Theatres Ward Stadium recently introduced Premiere Craft Beverages &Bites, with trendy new dishes such as green bean fries ($8) with choice of chipotle crema, lemon-cilantro or Sriracha ketchup sauces; okonomiyaki fries ($8.50) topped with cabbage, shredded surimi, unagi sauce and togarashi; a barbecue pulled-pork bowl ($8.50); lilikoi chicken bowl ($8.50); and banh mi-style hot dog ($7.50).
A bar in the Premiere Wing carries 10 beers, including Ballast Point Sculpin IPA, New Belgium Fat Tire and Mehana Porter. IDs are required for 21-and-older entry to the wing, which can make it feel a little less like going to the movies and more like going through an airline checkpoint.
Before you get too excited, note that it’s still a theater, not a restaurant. The chicken is dry, the pork odd-tasting. Dishes were conceived to be put together quickly, often repeating ingredients, such as the slaw that tops the okonomiyaki fries and banh mi-style hot dog that shares little in common with the Vietnamese sandwich’s flavor profile.
But I was grateful just to see vegetables and liked the addition of the slaw and jalapenos (repurposed from nachos). The tempura-batter green bean fries might make you even forget you’re eating your veggies.
More menu items are in the works.