Bites Nearby: Theater Café

Dinner and a movie? Or how about an outdoor dining experience at a Forest Hills restaurant that looks like a movie set for an Italian street bistro scene?

located adjacent to Cinemart Cinemas on Metropolitan Avenue, is more than a coffee shop, although countless kinds of java are on the menu. This eatery offers a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere with high ceilings (no ceilings in the outside dining area, of course), cushy sofas and natural light where patrons can eat and hang out. There’s a fireplace, too, although it’s not really in season.

The menu features six main categories: salads, paninis, wraps, savory and sweet crepes, Mediterranean cuisine and yogurt. That’s right, yogurt dressed up with fresh strawberries, honey, walnuts, etc.

But the beverage section deserves a special mention, especially for coffee lovers. Consider espresso, cappuccino, macchiato, late, mocha, café au lait, frappe, cappuccino float, Americano, fredo and Greek coffee. Add iced versions of those items and Cappuccino Disarronno, Irish coffee, Café Frangelico, Café Marnier and so on.

The Bites Nearby column has a hard time turning down coffee. But it’s worth mentioning that Theater Café also has a variety of tropical smoothies, milkshakes, teas and fruit juices.

As to the main entrees, the savory crepes all cost $7.50. They include Rusticana, ham and a choice of cheese and mushrooms; Bianca Mia, chicken with a choice of cheese; and Vegetarian, cheese, mushrooms, tomatoes, Greek olives and shredded carrots.

The sweet crepes range from $6 to $7. The Saxophone includes honey, walnuts and a banana. The Mona Lisa has bananas and Bailey’s. And the Romeo & Juliet mixes Nutella, banana and strawberries.

All the paninis cost $7.50. The Lountza-Halloumi has smoked loin of pork and goat cheese with tomatoes and cucumbers. There are also versions with ham and cheese, grilled chicken, turkey and provolone cheese and traditional Greek (feta cheese, tomatoes, olives, olive oil and oregano).

The Theater Salad ($8.50) combines artichoke hearts, tender hearts of palm tomatoes, red onions, potatoes and roasted red peppers with balsamic vinaigrette. For the same price, the Three Bean Salad comprises cannellini, red kidney and garbanzo beans with chopped celery, parsley, sweet peppers, onions, dried mint and vinaigrette dressing topped with solid white tuna. Another interesting option is Tobouli Salad, parsley, couscous, thin diced tomatoes with virgin olive oil and lemon dressing on a bed of lettuce.

For those in the mood for Mediterranean fare, there is the Babaganush ($5), baby eggplant whipped with herbs and olive oil; Taramosalata ($5), red caviar whipped to a fine paste with olive oil and lemon; Tzatiki ($5), yogurt with cucumber and garlic dip; Ktipiti ($5), roasted peppers and feta cheese; Hummus ($6), mashed chickpeas with garlic, red pepper, olive oil, lemon juice and tahini sauce; and Stuffed Vine Leaves ($6.50), stuffed grapevine leaves with rice in a lemon sauce.

The dessert list is extensive and flavorful. Most items cost $5.50. Tiramisu, Chocolate Mud Cake, Cheesecake, Apple Strudel, Hazelnut Mousse and Napoleon are among the multitude of choices.

Address: 106-03 Metropolitan Avenue.

Phone: (718) 261-0014.

Hours: Informal, but basically noon until late every day.

Specials: Theater Café accepts Visa and MasterCard with a purchase of $10 or more.