Eater San Diego: Downtown's Theatre Box Unveils New Rooftop Lounge
A round-up of the top food and drink stories of the week via Eater San Diego
By Candice Woo and Edited by Monica Garske ••
Eater San Diego shares the top stories of the week from San Diego’s food and drink scene, including a rooftop addition to a luxury movie theatre in the heart of downtown.
Theatre Box Reveals Japanese-Themed Bar and Restaurant Theatre Box, the 73,000-square-foot luxury movie theater, dining, and entertainment venue in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter will debut a rooftop lounge this weekend. Dubbed 5th & Sky, the 5,000-square-foot addition features a Japanese garden setting and serves and menu of sushi and small plates. Open Thursday through Sunday, the lounge offers views of the downtown skyline and Coronado Bridge, and will host DJs on weekends. Theatre Box, which spans an entire city block, opened last December. The venue is already home to another restaurant, Sugar Factory American Brasserie.
The newly-opened Theatre Box, featuring a dine-in theater, a sweet treat eatery and a 21-and-up nightclub, takes up an entire city block in the heart of San Diego, in the Gaslamp Quarter.
The TCL Chinese Theatre's signature logo adorns a tower on one corner of the Theatre Box, at Fifth Avenue and G Street in the heart of the Gaslamp.
The Theatre Box brings Hollywood glamour and luxury movie-going to the heart of San Diego.
WESH
A glass-blown chandelier in the center of the Theatre Box's lobby was inspired by gumballs, tying the Sugar Factory to the movie theater.
Inside the lobby, guests can buy movie tickets and stock up on concessions from the Sugar Factory's two counters. There is also a dedicated bar in the lobby.
There are more than 500 different types of candy options for movie-goers, not to mention varieties of popcorn and more delectable dishes from the Sugar Factory American Brasserie restaurant.
When guests walk into the Theatre Box, they will see TCL Chinese Theatre's signature handprint and footprint flooring. Many, like the Robert Downey Jr. prints seen here, are replicas of those at Grauman's Theatre in Hollywood, Calif.
When guests walk into the Theatre Box, they will see TCL Chinese Theatre's signature handprint and footprint flooring. Many, like the Shirley Temple's 1935 prints seen here, are replicas of those at Grauman's Theatre in Hollywood, Calif.
Opening alongside the movie theatre and the Sugar Factory American Brasserie restaurant, is the Chocolate Lounge, a 21-and-up venue which will host an array of DJs for evening events.
The Sugar Factory American Brasserie restaurant sits on the other side of the Theatre Box's lobby. Here, breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served starting most days at 8 a.m.
The Sugar Factory is known for their alcoholic and non-alcoholic goblets, several created by famous celebrities, like Drake's "Night Owl" Goblet, pictured here. The booze-infused drink is made with two shots of Drake's Virginia Black Whiskey.
Known for their over-the-top desserts, the Sugar Factory goes all out for their "Insane Milkshakes." Creations are topped with candy pieces, s'mores and, in one case, an entire slice of cheesecake. The restaurant serves some alcoholic milkshakes, too.
Known for their over-the-top desserts, the Sugar Factory goes all out for their "Insane Milkshakes." This "Cookie Monster" milkshake is topped with a donut and comes with a cupcake on the side.
Un Nuevo Día
In stark contrast to the Sugar Factory American Brasserie's mostly neutral interior, dishes come in an array of bright colors, like the rainbow sliders pictured here.
The Sugar Factory American Brasserie even does burgers to the extreme Pictured here is the mac-and-cheese burger.
The entertainment complex is the brain-child of TCL Chinese Theatre President Alwyn Hight Kushner and Sugar Factory founder Charissa Davidovici.
The Theatre Box sits at 701 Fifth Ave., the location of the former Reading Cinema, which suddenly shuttered in 2016.
New Tavern & Beer Bar (From Familiar Names) Coming to North Park Chef Hanis Cavin is teaming up with The Friendly to open a new eatery that will replace the short-lived Porchetta Shack (the former site of Carnitas’ Snack Shack) on University Avenue. Due next month, it's dubbed The Friendly Tavern and will feature an all-burger menu, a revamped design, and a new focus on the bar, which will pour beer from Fall Brewing and straightforward cocktails.
Where to Eat Japanese Food in San Diego From yakitori to sushi, San Diego's Japanese restaurant scene is one of the city's finest. Eater shares a map of 17 spots that highlight the best in Japanese cuisine, from temples and pristine raw fish to hidden gems that serve traditional small plates.
Sweet and Savory Waffle Sandwiches Coming to Convoy A Filipino chain with over 500 locations worldwide will land in Kearny Mesa this fall. Famous Waffle Sandwich specializes in fresh, made-to-order waffles stuffed with everything from chocolate and hazelnut to ham and cheese. The sweet and savory shop will also offer waffle ice cream sandwiches, coffee, and fruit slushies.
Regional Mexican Eatery Opens in Chula Vista Lamb barbacoa specialist Aqui es Texcoco has moved locations in Chula Vista and its owners have opened a new restaurant in its place. De Cabaza specializes in the Sinaloan and Sonoran specialty “cabeza en su jugo,” a dish that features a rich, beefy broth made from cow's head. The soup is served with a mix of head meat, accompanied by fresh tortillas.
Candice Woo is the founding editor of Eater San Diego, a leading source for news about San Diego’s restaurant and bar scene. Keep up with the latest Eater San Diego content via Facebook or Twitter, and sign up for Eater San Diego’s newsletter here.
