UltraStar to open 165,000-square-foot dining and entertainment center

As more movie theater companies get into the foodservice business, UltraStar Cinemas is set to open one of the largest dining and entertainment centers in the nation on Nov. 15.

Vista, Calif.-based UltraStar will open a “multi-tainment center” at Ak-Chin Circle in Maricopa, Ariz., covering 165,000 square feet. The new center, which is located next to Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, will offer restaurants, bars and bowling alleys, as well as cinema.

Adam Saks, vice president of operations for the Ak-Chin center, said, “We’ve talked to folks from Maricopa, Chandler, Ahwatukee, Phoenix and all over the Valley and we keep hearing the same thing: ‘We need a place to go where everything is conveniently located under one roof.’”

Besides 12 movie screens that will seat 2,170 guests, the venue includes several options for food, led by the full-service 347 Grill, which will offer 138 seats and feature burgers, stone-fired pizza, entrees and wines. The new center joins a growing number of upscale movie theater-foodservice venues, including a recent entry from Studio Movie Grill in Dallas.

Some entrée dishes served at 347 Grill include pork ribs with macaroni and cheese and citrus cole slaw; blackened sesame-crusted salmon with Asian vegetable noodle salad and miso vinaigrette; and lobster macaroni and cheese with tomatoes, basil and garlic bread. The menu also includes soups, salads and shared plates.

The 347 Grill has an additional full second-floor kitchen to serve guests in a theater area reserved for those 21 years old and older, a representative said.

In addition to the casual-dining restaurant, the venue will include Cones Café, an ice cream and coffee spot, and the Luxe Lounge, a 4,679-square-foot sports-themed bar for guests 21 and older that features 13 55-inch televisions for games. The casual lounge will offer a private party room that will be available for special events.

J Bar will also serve adult beverages to theater guests. “This exclusive walk-up bar is reserved for only those taking part in the 21 and over VIP movie experience in the ‘Star Class’ balconies,” the company said.

The center also includes a two-story, 4,000-square-foot laser tag arena, a 12-late Ten Pins Down bowling venue and games center, and an 8,400-square-foot amphitheater.

UltraStar operates 134 screens at 13 sites throughout Southern California and Arizona.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].
Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless