The glass walls and marble floors of the Angelika Film Center and Café give the impression that this art-house complex would be more at home in New York City than in Fairfax, Va., and rightly so—the original Angelika debuted with Soho in 1989. But this upscale movie theater is out to take the D.C. area by storm, starting in Fairfax’s trendy Mosaic district. With its eclectic selection of films you’ve never heard of (think indie knockouts, vintage classics, and foreign films) and a gourmet menu designed by Chef Lee Anne Wong of Top Chef fame, Angelika attempts to make going to the movies a high-end escape from the drudgeries of daily life.
The towering three-story complex is home to a café, a lounge, and a concession stand—not to mention immense theaters equipped with stadium seating and the latest sound technology. Angelika is the perfect intersection between food and film: the comfortable café area reminds the customer that going to the movies is an experience in itself, not just a distraction from worldly cares. The music alternates from French accordion to smooth jazz to New Age, a perfect ambiance for enjoying intelligentsia coffee and dessert with friends. It’s a charming place that would perform well on its own: the chocolate caramel crumble is rich and decadent, and the coffee is smooth and palatable.
Angelika is a hybrid of class and hipster, and it indulges in its sophistication edging on the ostentatious—Does your local movie theater offer San Pellegrino to wash down your kimchi hot dog? Does it boast a three-tier crystal chandelier? Does it call the box office a “concierge”? When the only movie title you recognize in the “Now Showing” queue is The Perks of Being a Wallflower, you know you’ve stepped into a film geek’s paradise.
Upstairs, the concession stand offers gourmet snacks to entice the palates of movie-goers and foodies alike. The hallmark of these is The Junk: a gooey, caloric pile of rice krispie treats, potato chips, pretzels, popcorn, and bacon drizzled in chocolate ganache and caramel sauce. (Bacon was an extra $1, but the concession stand workers encouraged me to get the “full experience.”) It’s a guilty pleasure that lives up to its name—salty and sweet and incredibly unhealthy. While I enjoyed eating it, I couldn’t help but think that something this delicious could be easily recreated in a dorm room at 2 a.m.—albeit with lesser-quality ingredients, but it would certainly save the $11 price tag.
Price is a definite concern of the entertainment-hungry college student; with $13 movie tickets (except on Tuesday evenings, when $9 buys students admission and unlimited popcorn) and food designed by a celebrity chef, Angelika can easily break the bank. Making a trip to see a matinee may be worthwhile for the intrepid film buff, but be forewarned: reaching Angelika is a journey involving seven metro stops to Dunn-Loring and a 15 minute walk along the highway, which isn’t a journey I expect to make often.
Angelika stands tall among the developing shops and restaurants of Mosaic, enticing customers with the experience of “going to the movies” with great food and entertainment. While the path to get to Angelika is no red carpet, the complex itself is a welcoming oasis that promises a show you’ll enjoy.
