Cinema Cafe - Murray Hill

I know my good friend Jen liked this place and will most probably return, but I for one realized that it wasn't worth the price. Cinema Cafe offers a 'bar food' with 'Dim Sum' and 'Tapas' in a more upscale setting with big comfy leather chairs and a few tables for outdoor seating. Overall, we chose to try this place over Ali Baba (two doors down) because of the outdoor seating and their Tapas section.

The Lobster and Artichoke Spring Roll from the Tapas was good enough for us to share and hold us down for about 15 minutes, until our entrees came. I didn't taste any lobster, but oddly enough, I saw shrimp fall out. Although we weren't really watching the clock, there was a noticeable about of time between our app. and our entree even though the restaurant wasn't packed.


My Portabella Wrap had mesculin greens, roasted red pepper and smoked mozarella. I had the option of fries or salad on the side, and I chose salad, so I pretty much at a side of what was in my wrap. I wanted something light, and this was definitley light, but I wish the mushroom was grilled as opposed to just a cold marinated mushroom, thrown into a wrap with cold mesculin greens and cold roasted peppers. I think $10.95 was a little too much for this.


It looks like other reviews give this place a thumbs up for happy hour. I only had lunch here for the first time so their other "Tapas" and entree items may get me to rethink this place if I ever have to go back. Other than that, the customer service was EXCELLENT and very accomodating, but for now, I'd rather go to Blockheads or even Mercury Bar, both around the corner.

Cinema Cafe (Murray Hill location)
505 3rd Ave
(between 33rd St & 34th St)
New York, NY 10016
(212) 689-9022
www.cinemarestaurants.com