New York City, this isn’t. But Grand Forks still has a dinner theater, and the food is very good.
We made our way up the long, wide stairway on a recent Friday evening to the Grand Forks Dinner Theater. We had been hearing about it ever since it opened in July, but never had a chance to go there. It’s the kind of place where you go for a special occasion—a birthday or anniversary. It’s also the kind of place you go when you have time for a long leisurely dinner. Or when you have guests from out of town.
The current show, The Fantasticks, will be continuing Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings and for Sunday matinees through December and into January. The theater, as most people know, is located above the Windmill Restaurant and Bar, at 213 S. Third Street, which supplies the food served to theater patrons.
Our first impression was favorable, because of the new carpeting in rose and teal tones, and the harmonizing teal paint in the entry and reception areas. A contemporary chandelier at the top of the stairway draws comments and compliments from guests.
The dining room is impressive, with three levels of tables set off by light wood railings. Tables are covered with rose cloths, and there are mauve cloth napkins. Glass-enclosed candles flicker on the tables. This pleasing, warm ambience puts you in the mood for a very special evening.
We went at 5:30 P.M., when dinner service begins. We were offered a choice of walleye primavera, prime rib or chicken teriyaki. We both chose the walleye and ordered a drink as we waited.
First came the salad of greens topped with rings of green pepper and red onion. Our walleye, done in a wine and vegetable sauce, arrived with an attractive garnish of citrus and a welcome serving of carrots on the plate. The baked potato that came with it was a waxy, moist red. It required no butter or sour cream—just a sprinkling of pepper and salt.
For those who want to order wine, the dinner theater has an extensive list of red, sparkling, blush and white in a price range from a moderate $7 to $10—all the way up to $28.50. I figure Constant Companion will order from the top of the line if we make it to our 40th wedding anniversary next summer.
As we finished eating, our waiter told us that the pre-show would be starting soon. Before long, the waiters and waitresses, who were already in theatrical attire, turned into entertainers. They call themselves the “Two-Bit Players,” and theirs is a large contribution to the evening of dinner theater. The show itself is performed on a stage that is easy to view from all parts of the house.
The food service doesn’t end with dinner. It continues through the show, with desserts and coffee. Desserts include the decadent mud pie, which the Windmill helped establish in this town.
Usually, there is cheesecake, too, with assorted toppings.
Grand Forks Dinner Theater and the Windmill are no longer operating in Grand Forks.