The Lot

The Lot

Dinner and a movie just got a lot easier for La Jollans, thanks to the arrival of this combination gourmet restaurant and luxury cinema. Taking the upscale movie theater concept popularized by chains such as Cinépolis one step further, The Lot offers a full menu of dishes that rotate with the seasons in much the same manner as the big screen offerings. Make a reso, and then enjoy a pre- or post-film meal of smoked carpaccio followed by slow-roasted salmon with shellfish dumplings floating in bouillabaisse consommé. Right on par with popcorn and Jujubes, right? But even though there’s far more than eat-at-your-seat noshes, in-movie grubbing and adult-beverage imbibing is encouraged. How does Mockingjay paired with Russian River Chardonnay or a Moscow Mule sound? Want to skip the movie part altogether, the Sip bakery and coffee shop opens early with gourmet roasts and pastries aplenty. (858.777.0069, www.thelotent.com)