Ellington

Vintage Movies in a Unique Atmosphere

When Joe D'Aluisio and William Pemberton opened a theater in Pearl, it wasn't the usual kind that plays currently popular first-run films. Instead, Vintage Movie and Entertainment Theater (420 Roberts St.) shows classic black and white, silent and other older films, featuring the likes of Bing Crosby, Mickey Rooney, Bela Lugosi and John Wayne.

Rather than rows of seats with cupholders, Vintage is a "flat floor" theater, with tables and chairs for groups of four, covered with linen cloths and situated restaurant-style in front of its 9-foot-high by 15-foot-wide screen. The screen is "beaded," which allows classic movies to be broadcast in high definition to improve the visuals of the older films. A full snack bar featuring popcorn, drinks and candy is in the same room, so securing refreshments is quick. The theater seats up to 50 people, meaning that reservations, while not required, are recommended; the limited seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Vintage also features live talent shows, musicians and comedians who perform in "coffee house theater" productions on some Saturday nights. Vintage makes use of caterers from local restaurants to provide "dinner and a movie" nights, or dinner and a live show. The theater is also available for rent as a party space.

Classic movie nights at Vintage feature films including the original versions of "Pompeii" and "Lincoln," as well as famous horror films such as the original "Night of the Living Dead" and "Dracula." On the schedule for this month are Bing Crosby musicals "Anything Goes" and "Road to Bali," as well as the start of Wednesday Western nights, featuring "McLintock" starring John Wayne and other classic "spaghetti Westerns."

For exceptionally large groups wanting to enjoy classic films, Vintage offers "Mobile Movies." Parties of 50 or more people can rent a 15-by-30-foot mobile screen and have it brought to them for a drive-in experience under the stars. Vintage also offers the use of its theater for fundraising events, in which organizations can show movie of their choice and sell tickets, receiving 50 percent of the profits.

Vintage's box office opens at 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, and shows usually start at 7 p.m. Depending on attendance, Vintage will sometimes offer 9 p.m. shows as well. The normal ticket price is $6 per person; on Thursdays the price is $3.

For a schedule of movies being shown this month or other information, call 769-524-3617 or visit the theater's website.

Ciao Bella Opens Pavoni's Wine Bar

A few months ago, Christo Burnham and his family opened a new restaurant called Ciao Bella by Pavoni next door to Piccadilly in LeFleur's Gallery (4800 Interstate 55 N.). Burnham bills his restaurant as the only family-structured Sicilian restaurant in the state. Tomorrow, Wednesday, May 7, Ciao Bella is expanding with the formal grand opening of Pavoni's Wine Bar, located downstairs in the same building housing Ciao Bella.

Ciao Bella by Pavoni is named for the Pavoni family in Sicily from which Burnham hails. Ciao Bella focuses on "authentic replications of famous European dishes" from France, Germany and other countries across the continent, as well as authentic Sicilian, Sardinian and Italian dishes. In fact, all of Ciao Bella's Sicilian, Sardinian and Italian dishes are personal family recipes of the Pavonis, including dishes such as Sicilian beef and veal lasagna, cream cheese gravy, a family escargot recipe, and more.

Also available at Ciao Bella is "Degustation," which translates to "Taste the menu." Degustation features four to 12 courses, with each dish representing a particular country in Europe, along with recommended wine options for each course. Degustation starts at $35 per person. In June, Ciao Bella will begin offering a larger eight-course minimum Degustation at $60 per person.

Downstairs, Pavoni's Wine Bar offers an extensive wine list with hundreds of options, as well as specialty beers, vodkas, whiskeys and more. Pavoni's also has its own menu differing from the fare available upstairs, including antipastoand other Italian dishes. Pavoni's aims to be reminiscent of an old-time New York speakeasy, with plenty of couches, red curtains and a lounge-like atmosphere. Pavoni's will also feature live music at least two nights a week.

Pavoni's Wine Bar is open Wednesday through Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. For information, call 601-362-1688 or visit the Ciao Bella website.