Dinner and A Movie Just Got Easier

Marcus Ridge Cinemas in New Berlin is now offering pizza with your movie. In fact, they're offering the whole restaurant as well.

The unveiling of Zaffiro's Pizza at the Ridge on Thursday was another step in Marcus' vision of making the movies a much more social and interactive event.

"So often people walk into the movie theatre, stare in the same direction at the screen for two hours and then file out. We're making the evening much more social and inviting people to come out before the movie or hang out together after the movie by enjoying a little dinner and conversation," explained David Marcus, managing partner of Marcus Investments.

He said he saw the pairing as a great alternative especially on cold winter nights, when people don't want to have to make multiple trips to have dinner and enjoy a movie.

The idea of partnering with Zaffiros began in 2006, when the east side restaurant in Milwaukee was approached by Marcus Investments to offer their pizza as a concession item in their theatres.

"This fit into our goal of working with niche businesses with a loyal customer base. We were looking for a restaurant that had a solid, passionate following, and Zaffiro's definitely had that," Marcus said.

"My dad started the business in 1951 at his bar, and by 1956 we moved to our current location at Farwell Avenue and Brady Street," explained Mike Zaffiro, who was on hand to greet patrons.

The restaurant's fare is also offered at Marcus' other locations North Shore Cinema and the Majestic in Brookfield, and at venues as far out as Omaha, NE.

Customers can dine in before or after a movie, or carry out to enjoy in the theatre. Delivery is also an option, even if a movie isn't.

The restaurant also offers frozen gelato and other novelties from inside the theatre lobby. Online reservations can also be made through the Marcus Ridge website.