 |
|
|
Reviews
Review - Les Fraser - Aberdeen April 2013
Having just returned from yet another wonderful holiday in wonderful Wanaka I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed my visits to the Cinema Paradiso in between bouts of tramping.
My heart sank when I first arrived in town and saw your old building lying empty but soon found out that you had got yourself a new place which I really like and was pleased to see that it has lost none of the charm of it’s predecessor while having much more space for dining etc which is good.
Great films, friendly staff and brilliant food and drinks! A wonderful cinema!
MANDY LIM sneaks a peek at five movie theatres with a difference. - SilverKris May 2012
"A film, in itself, can quite often leave you with a sense of awe and wonderment. Some cinemas, however, up the ante for the audience by creating a unique atmosphere or simply by providing a movie-going experience like no other. Paradiso: Cinema, Cafe, Bar — Wanaka, New Zealand
The little alpine town of Wanaka on New Zealand’s South Island may be famed for its natural beauty, but step into Paradiso and you’ll discover why it’s gradually becoming the town’s biggest attraction. Let the aroma of freshly baked cookies and pizza lead you in, or indulge in homemade ice cream – passionfruit is a hot favourite – and locally brewed beers, all of which are available before, during or after the movie. But here’s the clincher: you get to pick your seat of choice from comfy couches, plane seats or the much-coveted photo opportunity – the Cinema Paradiso car (above right). In the end, whether you’re watching the latest box office hit or an art film almost doesn’t matter in this cinema where film takes a back seat."
Cinema Paradiso – The best little cinema in the World
Posted on February 7th, 2012
The small Southern alpine town of Wanaka is world famous for its natural beauty, hiking, skiing, fishing and laid-back vibe, however the town is also home to Cinema Paradiso, ‘the best little cinema in the world’.
Cinema Paradiso is not your average run-of-the-mill cinema, the moment you step through the doors into the café/entrance area you are aware this cinema is different. The seducing smell of freshly baked cookies and homemade pizzas hit you as soon as you enter Cinema Paradiso.
The small café bakes all its own food, the cookies and pizzas are particularly good, and Cinema Paradiso also serves locally brewed beers (Brewski and Cardona from the Wanaka Brewery). All of which are available during the interval of the film.
So while Cinema Paradiso also serves as a wicked little café the true brilliance of the ‘best little cinema in the world’ lies behind the swing doors. Queues form early as locals and returning visitors know what awaits them. Pick your seat: a couch, plane seat or the Cinema Paradiso car. As the doors swing open, the queue rushes forward, everyone wants to find their favourite spot, be it a couch at the front, the airline seats at the back or the car located to the side. First-time visitors may be tempted to head straight for the car and with good reason; it’s a great photo opportunity.
Once everyone has found their seat, maybe even trying out a few different options, there is nothing to do but sit back and enjoy the show, Cinema Paradiso, where the film takes a back seat." My Postcard from New Zealand. Feb 2012
"Now it's official; I want to move here...I'm at the dinner table. Tiffany has made another delicious meal & I chat with Stephanie & Denis over more fine Wanaka wines before we head into town to watch a film at Cinema Paradiso. Instead of the usual boring seats, the theatre has a variety of comfy sofas & an old car to sit in. Halfway through the movie, the lights go up & we file out for an intermission treat. The smell of homemade cookies wafts through the theatre but the passionfruit icecream is too tempting. This homely theatre has been raved about in Lonely Planet & The Guardian." 36 Hours in Wanaka - Stuff.co.nz 2012
"We were on holidays in Wanaka, and had heard about the Paradiso from our tour guide at Franz Josef. On mothers day my family and I enjoyed an afternoon at this cinema. Instead of rows of seats the cinema has comfy lounges. We packed in with the locals, and enjoyed snuggling into the lounge as the movie started. At interval we bought coffee and the most delicious just out of the oven biscuits. The kids enjoyed their home made icecreams. The coffee and biscuits were so good that we bought more for the road after the movie finished. A great experience, highly recommended." Andrea_K66 Australia, Trip Advisor. May 2011
"This small classic movie theatre located in Wanaka is a real find - The best thing is, just like the good old days, there’s an intermission!"
"I live in Wanaka and love going to movies at the Paradiso. It has such a great atmosphere with sofas, chairs and a Morris Minor car for seating! You still have an interval at half time and can either have a pre-ordered meal, glass of wine, scrummy cookies baked on the premises or a delicious Paradiso made ice cream. The staff are so friendly, as is the owner, who has a great sense of humour. You couldn't recreate the decor and atmosphere if you tried now and it brings back memories of another era. I will be very sorry if it ever closes down." Patrice3, Trip Advisor. March 2011
"I arrived at the Paradiso cinema for one of my favourite evening activities – moviegoing. This, however, was to be one quite unlike any other. Scottish owner Calum McLeod has made this spot quite the envy of his competitors by turning it into something much more than a moviehouse. Instead of the regular seats you would expect to find in such a place, imagine sofas, recliners – even the full interior of an old Chevy. Then add to that the ability to bring food and drink inside from the café at the entrance. If you finish your food or need more, then no worries – there’s an intermission in every film so you can head out to refuel! I caught the opening night of Harry Potter. The movie wasn’t bad, but the experience would have outshone even the best of films." The Cycling Reporter - Leon McCarron 20/12/2010
"Wanaka is well-known for its lake and stunning mountain backdrop. But it’s getting more and more well-known for its cinema.Y’see, Wanaka doesn’t have an every day, run-of-the-mill cinema. Oh no! Wanaka has a cinema unlike any other you’ve probably been in before.Instead of the usual regulation big screen complex, Cinema Paradiso has comfy old sofas, armchairs you can sink into, airline seats, a lazyboy and even three seats inside an old yellow Morris Minor. Now you don’t see that every day. So once you’ve found a good spot, go and check out the cinema’s café and bar, where you can enjoy a scrummy meal either before, during or after the movie. There’s melt-in-the-mouth freshly baked cookies still warm from the oven, a selection of dips, garlic bread, home-made pizza and wraps or, for the really hungry, there’s Thai yellow curry, Paradiso lasagne, fish pie or a steak sandwich. And it doesn’t stop there. You can wash it all down with a cold beer or chilled wine, or warm yourself up with a freshly brewed coffee or hot chocolate. Oh, and don’t forget the yummy cakes, slices and ice-cream! The best thing is, just like the good old days, there’s an intermission. So if you get the munchies half way through the film, you can stock up during the break. Or if you didn’t have time to have dinner beforehand, order it before the show and it will be ready at half-time! You could even order a dessert to enjoy after the movie ends. Magic! It’s just like being round your mates’ house, except you’re watching the movie with a whole theatre-full of randoms and you can’t beat it for the comfort factor!" Rachel Pinder - backpackerboard.co.nz - October 2009
Yahoo Top Ten Things to do in The South Island - 5 The pick of the movies
 "After a few days of adrenaline activities, I was craving an activity which didn't make my heart plummet to my feet. Cinema Paradiso, the unique movie theatre in Wanaka offers a more sedate but just as enjoyable adventure. It's a cinema straight out of Alice in Wonderland complete with a real Morris Minor serving as an unusual love-seat. There are also arm chairs and comfy couches to cuddle up on. Meals and snacks are available before and after the movie. But my favourite part was interval when giant-sized, freshly baked cookies can be purchased. I'd go to the movies just to get another bite of those moreish chocolate chip biscuits." " Lisa Wolff, Yahoo7 online, October 2009
"For rustic cinema heaven, Wanaka's Cinema Paradiso shouldn't be missed. With comfy couches, red wine and home-made buscuits in the interval. It's a much-loved Wanaka institution!" Melbourne Age, July 2009
"Totally unique experience. Cinema of the future! All cinemas should be like this. Relaxed, very comfortable especially if you bag the leather sofa!! Staff brilliant as is the food. Get to speak with the boss he enthuses about the cinema! AND IT SHOWS GREAT FILMS!!! 10/10" - Ian from England - Rankers.co.nz , March 2009
 "Deservedly one of Wanaka's biggest attractions, and just maybe a New Zealand national treasure. Sit yourself down in an old lounge chair or sofa in this eccentric cinema. Doors open one hour before the screenings, giving you time to order your beer, wine, coffee's home-made ice-cream or still warm giant cookies. Dinner including pizza and Thai curry can also be pre-ordered and is served during intermission. Shows include Hollywood blockbusters and a surprisingly eclectis and international mix of art-house flicks" Lonely Planet NZ September 2008
"Hello there, I went to see a movie in your wonderful cinema last week and just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed it. This has definetly been the best cinema i have ever been to, you guys are doing a wonderful job. I am even sad that I couldn't stay any longer in Wanaka to go a second time ;-). I have to mention the great food, cannot get those cookies out of my head anymore. You don't happen give the recipies away, do you? Maybe you should consider making a cooking/baking book.... I just can't get cookies like that back in Germany! Greetings, Wiebke Lorenzen" November 2008
 "We had beautiful sunny weather the following day. Around 28 degrees. So we soaked it up sitting beside Lake Wanaka which is beautiful with stunning mountainous views. We had a delicious dinner (Fajitas) before watching Apocalypto at Cinema Paradiso (an independent cinema with a difference - worth checking out). Cool little cinema with proper old style couches and an intermission when you can buy some cakes or ice cream. I really enjoyed it...Wanaka is a beautiful place and definitely worth checking out for a few days (at least)." RealTravel.com, May 2007
 "Although you should mainly go to Lake Wanaka for the stunning lake and the surrounding views, it is also worth visiting the very cool, independent cinema that this tiny town has. You can kick back and relax on the lovely, beaten up sofas (instead of the uncomfortable chairs normally found in this type of establishment!) There is even an old shell of a car, decked out with cushions, which you can sit in!" BeenThere, September 2007
"Our next stop after Franz Josef was the lakeside town of Wanaka. This has possibly one of the coolest (sweet as?) cinemas ever! It's a small affair, with a cafe attached and a projection pod which, according to Hannah, is much like Flix's (her old student cinema) in that there's rubbish everywhere inside it. The cool bit, apart from the intimate size and indie-ish film schedule, is the seating. There are about four rows of assorted old sofas and big leather armchairs, a chest full of cushions and beanbags, and about two-thirds of a yellow Morris Minor at one side! It was so homely that we felt compelled to take our shoes off. They also have a proper intermission, in which you have a chance to buy some of their huge home-made cookies - fabulous, if extremely filling! Oh - the film we saw was "Lord of War", with Nicholas Cage." TravelPod, May 2006
 "The essence of theatre, maintains devotee Roy Colbert, involves two things; half-time and ice-cream. Long may they continue...I go to the theatre for the ice-cream at half-time. I make no bones about this, that's the main reason I'm there show after show. The ice-cream...I could point out that Cinema Paradiso in Wanaka, whose furniture includes a yellow Morris Minor, is a lovely little boutique theatre that has brought the half-time back...it's just like the golden period of the movies" Sunday Magazine, July 2006
 "If watching a movie in a Morris Minor captures your imagination, head for the Paradiso Cinema in Wanaka. There’s always a rush for the little car positioned inside the cinema, but you could also try for one of the Paradiso armchairs if you miss out on the Morry. Scottish immigrant Calum Macleod is the innovative owner of the Paradiso and he doesn’t blink an eye when you sink into one of his chairs with a pizza, panini, falafel or fizzy. In fact, he encourages the civilised art of simultaneous movie-watching and dining. If you prefer to keep the two separate, Calum will serve you your main course in his adjoining restaurant before the movie and dessert at the end. In between there’s time for a beer because no matter how much suspense in the story there’s always an interval."Susan Buckland, AA Magazine, Spring 2003
"It is the coolest theatre experience you're likely to find this side of the equator. And what's this warm, witty welcome all about? Where are the bored ticket-tearers, the intolerably cramped seats, and skinny armrests? Hasn't anyone told MacLeod about the etiquette of modern movie-going?...'It's fantastic. This is like having a big screen cinema in your living room!' Melbourne visitor John Hutcheon says...Macleod, who is particularly fond of arthouse and independant films says Cinema Paradiso is unique...'The generic cinema that you walk into could be in Bangkok, London, Sydney, Auckland wherever. You walk out thinking that you have been processed.' There is no chance of feeling that way at Cinema Paradiso, revered by locals and visitors as a Wanaka treasure. The Paradiso puts a premium on home comforts, giving patrons the choice of -Several Sofas, A Lazyboy Recliner, A Brown Vinyl Monstrosity held together by duct tape, 32 other Lounge Chairs, 3 Seats in a Morris Minor, 3 Passenger Seats from a Chinese Airline [rescued from a basement of a Wanaka home - 'Something that gives me a real buzz is having people leaving at the end of the night going 'This is the best cinema I've ever been to' Hopefully they will remember Wanaka and the tossy Scotsman who talked shite!" " The Christchurch Press, October 2001
 "My week started with a very pleasant couple of days in the lakeside town of Wanaka. It's a small place but with a good selection of bars and cafes and it's in a beautiful setting, nestled among the mountains of the Southern alps. There are a number of good walks you can do along the lakeshore or in the surrounding hills. I had been planning to climb Mount Roy. But while strolling around the western shore I stumbled across the tiny Rippon Vineyards where you could do wine tasting. After a few glasses of the local riesling, a little sleep in the sun among the vines seemed a much more relaxing option than climbing mountains. That evening I treated myself to a trip to the pictures. The movie was a laughably bad Dennis Quaid vehicle called Frequency. But the film didn't really matter because Wanaka cinema was such a delight. About the size of a village hall, the seating was a motley assortment of armchairs and sofas with a convertible Morris Minor thrown in for good measure. Halfway through, the film stopped and we had a short interval. Everyone went outside to the adjoining cafe and got freshly baked cookies (still warm), homemade ice cream or a beer and then settled back into their armchairs. This is how all cinemas should be. It was more like being round someone's house."The UK Guardian, January 2001
"It would be rare to find a cinema listed as a tourist attraction in an international backpackers guide, let alone find a classic Morris Minor convertible as part of the everyday furniture. But, Lonely Planet lists the Wanaka Cinema Paradiso in the "must do" category and yes, it does have an old car parked in the front row. While owners Calum McLeod, his wife Andrea Riley and friend Brian Hildreth did not deliberately set out four years ago to create such a popular ambience in their business, it came about more out of necessity. Mr McLeod recalled how they originally set up in the Wanaka town hall with one couch. "That is where the rugby scrums started as everyone wanted the comfortable couch." Garage sales and second-hand stores unearthed the rest of the seating and cushions which have become the trademark of the cinema. There are a couple of rows of the traditional old movie seats if nostalgia is your thing." The Otago Daily Times, November 1999
 Unwinding in Laid Back Wanaka "Another must in Wanaka is the flicks. Scotsman Calum MacLeod has converted an old electrical sales shop into his own Cinema Paradiso by spreading out 50 comfy chairs and couches. It's a special occasion with a decent intermission, fresh coffee and home-made ice-cream. Be prepared to hear Mr Macleod stand up and lambast the poor local who requested a bad movie. 'That all started when someone requested The Blue Kite - a Chinese film. It should have been called The Blue Shite' he grins ' It was intrinsically boring, set entirely in a courtyard, all of the main characters died and the moral of the story was totalitarian regiems are bad!' Fortunately, the occasional badly chosed movie is about the only boring thing you'll find in this cinema." The Sunday Star Times, September 1998
Sample Menu
We have several new chef's at the cinema. There name's are Alex and Max. Though not as tall and as good-looking as Calum they are sensational. Our menu is now switched over to get us all ready for this summer. We have a strong focus on wholesome, hearty local ingredients which are designed to keep you feeling warm on the inside so that you can focus on the job in hand - enjoying the show in our air conditioned, warm and comfortable cinema.
As with all our meals you are welcome to eat before, during or after, the film of your choice. If you wish to eat one of our meals during the interission it pays to order before the session starts. This will enable us to prepare your meal as you are watching the movie. That way your meal will be ready for you when the intermission starts. Intermission usually lasts about as long as it takes, occasionaly a little longer. If you do not have time to finish your meal just ask for a tray and take the rest back in to the theatre with you.
We still have all of our usual delicious treats, like fresh, hot cookies at half-time, our own home-made ice-cream and a counter selection of cakes & slices.
We have Gluten Free options available on request for most menu items.
| Previews |
|
| Soup - |
Our own home-made Soup of the day, served steaming hot with warm Garlic Bread |
| BLT - |
Our version of the classic Sambo - Made with Freedom Farms Bacon |
| Cajun Wedges - |
Potato Wedges coated in a spicy Cajun mix and served with Sour Cream & Chilli Sauce |
| Garlic Bread - |
Enough said |
| Cheesy Garlic Bread - |
Enough said served with a generous coating of Pizza Cheese |
| Trio of Dips - |
A selection of today's fresh dips served with toasted Pita bread |
|
Olive Bowl - |
A mix of marinated Olives in our own marinade, generally Kalmatta's and one or two others. |
|
Peanuts -
Salads
Green Salad -
Halloumi -
Goat's Cheese -
Tomato - |
Our own Honey roasted peanuts
Lettuce greens, Salad Veg, Toasted Seeds served & our own Viniagrette
Grilled Halloumii on Rocket and Grape Salad with Verjuice dressing
Goat's Cheese baked in Puff Pastry with Onion Marmalade on Rocket Salad
Beefsteak Tomatos, Spanish Onion's with Olive Oil and Balsamic dressing
|
|
Main Features |
|
| Beef Burger - |
A home-made Cumin and Red Capsicum all beef pattie served on a big bun with salad greens, mayo and a delicious Kiwi Beetroot Relish |
| Lamb Burger - |
A home-made Morroccan style Lamb pattie served on a big bun with salad greens, mayo and an Aubergine puree |
| Chicken Burger - |
A Chicken Breast marinated in Cajun herbs and spices served on a big bun with salad greens, aioli and a delicious Kiwi Beetroot Relish |
|
Paradiso Lasagne - |
A Paradiso classic. A winning combination of tomato sauce layered with pasta, cheese sauce & veggies. Oven baked & served steaming hot with a salad garnish and Garlic Bread. Your choice of either the prime Beef or Vegetarian variety |
| Pasta Bowl - |
Made Fresh Daily |
|
Curry of the Day -
Rissotto of the Day - |
Made Fresh Daily
Made Fresh Daily |
Pizzas or Calzone
Our own Home-made Pizza base with a rich Tomato Sauce as a base, Mozarella Cheese & your choice of toppings
Margarita - Fresh Roma Tomatoes and fresh Basil leaves
Pepperoni - Sliced mild Pepperoni Salami and Red Capsicum
Hot Shroom - Portabello Mushroom, Chilli and Rosemary
Kid's Favourite - Ham and Pineapple
Alex - Rocket, Olive and Sunflower Seed topped with an Egg
Bajou - Cajun Chicken, Bacon, Celery and Red Onion
Vegan - NO Cheese or Tomato Base with Hummus, Red Onion, Olive and Fresh Roma Tomatoes
Penny - Chicken, Cranberry and Brie
Carnivore - Grilled Beef Steak, Red Onion, Red Capsicum and Portobello Mushroom
Moroccan - Spicey Lamb, Red Onion and Sunflower Seeds
Sarah - Brocolli, Red Onion and Feta
|
|
