I just want to get this out of the way; I saw Sex and the City 2 today. My mom is in town for the summer after being north of the Artic circle in Alaska being a principal for a school. Megan and I started out the day at the farmers’ market in Saint Paul where we met up with her to start. Since mom has been out of touch with civilization since September she wanted to get out and do something. Her and Megan came up with the idea to go to Showplace and see the new movie. My mom also wanted to spend time with me and wanted me to come along. I fought it, but the enticement of having a free meal and some alcohol with a sober driver (mom) was too enticing to pass up.
I’m not going to talk about the movie. Yes, there are some funny jokes, but don’t go see it unless someone offers food in exchange.
Onto my review of Showplace.
The setup is something out of a movie (no pun intended). The decor is definitely not subtle and it comes across as a very classy, open place. They have a decent selection of food and they have a chef who makes up the menu. My main complaint to start was that they didn’t have any draft beers. They also don’t have a large selection of bottles. However I got the Sophie New Belgium Ale (22oz). I think that’s the right name because their online menu doesn’t match what they displayed in person (also the prices seem to be higher online).
If you haven’t gone to this theater before it’s the only place I can think of in the cities that offers a sit down, eat, and watch a movie experience. However, the part that was lost on me was the requirement to eat with your food in your lap. Mom told me of the $3.00 theatre she goes to in Anchorage that offers great (well-priced) food with a $3.00 movie ticket and a table to enjoy your food at. Granted, the movies they show are almost or already on video, but that’s still a pretty cool experience.
The food at Showplace was decent, but definitely not worth the price paid for it (neither were the drinks).
They had special drinks just for Sex and the City showing and they were all $10.00 martini-like drinks. Megan liked her “Fashionista” drink, but it was just a cosmo with some mango mixed in which was definitely made from a syrup and didn’t have hardly any vodka. I ordered the Manhattan which was way too strong. It’s supposed to be 2 parts whiskey, 1/2 part sweet vermouth with some bitters. However this was a 5oz glass and it was filled to the brim and all I could taste was the whiskey. Yes, I’m complaining about a strong drink, but if I wanted whiskey straight with a cherry I’ll order that.
During the movie I went back out to get everyone a drink. For a Fashionista, Diet Coke, and a Sophie the bill came out to be $29.60 (before tip). Knowing that the Fashionista was $10 (according to the flyers) I can only assume that I paid $12-15 for the 22oz beer and the remainder for the pop/tax.
My mom took the bill before the show which came out to be $106.00 (not including the $15.00/person VIP tickets and tip). This is what we got (this doesn’t include my mid-movie drink run):
- Chicken Panini
- I had this and it was dry and almost flavorless
- Chef’s Special Brisket/Filet Mignon Sliders
- Megan said the two Filet Mignon sliders were pretty good, but the brisket was way too dry and flavorless as well.
- The price was $16.95 for that non-menu item special
- Four Cheese Neopolitan Pizza
- Mom had this, she didn’t make any comments on it.
- Diet Coke
- Manhattan
- Sophie New Belgium Ale
- Delicious, but overpriced
- “Fashionista”
- Made from a pre-made syrup for $10? Try again.
- 2 orders of their “Famous” bacon popcorn
- While it is real bacon, it’s not crunchy bacon. Although still delcious.
Megan and I won’t be going back as even the “over-sized leather” chair experience was a bit tired since the chairs weren’t all that cushy and didn’t recline at all.
So to those of you that wanted to go to ICON, drink, and watch the A-Team together. I’m going to pass. Let’s instead spend our money at a decently priced bar afterwards and talk about how much better Mr. T. playing Baracus than Quinton Jackson will be.