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Big Picture Theater and Café
48 Carroll Rd., Waitsfield 802-496-8994 | map & directions | website | add your comment
  • 4 comment(s)
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  • $13 to $18 (Average Price Per Entrée)
Cuisine
American, Traditional
American, Contemporary
Settings
Bakery
Café
Casual Eatery
Lounge
Restaurant
Region
Mad River Valley/Waterbury
Schedule
Open 7 Days
Meals
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Alcohol
Full Bar
Amenities
Banquet Room
Bar Seating
Gluten-Free Options
Kid Friendly
Offsite Catering
Outdoor Seating
Table Service
Take-Out
Vegan-Friendly
Web Menu
Wi-Fi
Fun & Games
All-ages music shows
Dance Floor
Live Music
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7 Nights says...
"Dinner and a movie" takes on new meaning when the restaurant and theater are in the same building. Relax in the café with dinner and a drink from the bar — or bring them into the theater with you. Specialties include maple doughnuts, homemade bread, burgers and fish tacos.
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Terrible food, disappointing experience
Reviewed by impniron on February 19, 2012
My partner and I ventured to the Big Picture Theatre to take in a movie and eat dinner. Sadly, it was one of the worst dining experiences we've ever had. Upon entering the theater, we were greeted by unswept floors covered in old popcorn and broken chairs. The bathroom sinks were filthy. There was toilet paper all over the floor and the rolls were not in dispensers. We were seated immediately for dinner. I ordered the spinach salad with blue cheese, dried cranberries and hazelnuts to start and the mushroom ravioli for my entree. The salad was fine, if not a bit overenthusiastic with the amount of spinach. My partner got the ceasar salad with "rustic croutons," which it turns out were just pieces of slightly burned toast. When our entrees arrived, we were surprised to see the "rustic croutons" making a second appearance on both our plates. My partner got a bowl of bacon butternut squash soup and I got the mushroom ravioli, both of which came with pieces of charred toast. However, my toast was blackened to the point that it was inedible. The burned toast was the least of my dish's problems. The six raviolis ($16) arrived on a bed of uncooked spinach, which the menu gave no mention of. It also came with four pieces of toast, which seems unnecessary with a pasta dish. There was no sauce to speak of on the pasta, just sauteed button mushrooms and some parmesan cheese. The raviolis were filled with button mushrooms as well, so it was mostly just a plate of mushrooms. The pasta was completely overworked and chewy like a stale gumball. The raviolis either had terrible freezer burn or somebody in the kitchen is completely unaware how to make fresh pasta. The whole dish was a mess — the charred toast, the raw spinach, the lack of sauce, the undercooked pasta, the sallow appearance of the raviolis, the overwhelming number of mushrooms. And for $16. The meal was a great disappointment. Sadly, Big Picture Theater, popular as it is with locals, isn't really able to deliver on all fronts.
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need more breakfast options
Reviewed by darkpaddle on November 2, 2011
Big Picture is one of the few breakfast options in the Mad River Valley now that Green Cup is on hiatus recovering from Irene. While the quality of the food is good, they need to expand their breakfast menu. Beyond typical egg dishes and pancakes, they don't have anything unusual or memorable. That said, I love having a tiny donut with a coffee while waiting for breakfast to arrive.....
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Get out of town & eat here!
Reviewed by nomadologista on October 9, 2009
It was easier to access when I lived in Waterbury, but Big Picture Cafe remains my favorite weekend breakfast destination from Burlington, too. The fabulous miniature donuts really take the edge off, upon arrival. The blueberry pancakes have been, at times, a revelation - reminding me of a delectable buttery, crispy, and tender galette I used to love in Dakar. While the side of me that's Texan will always and forever be disappointed by Vermont attempts at Tex-Mex, if you readjust your expectations accordingly, the breakfast burrito is really not that bad (by which I mean it's actually quite good) - the ingredients certainly are fresh and tasty. A beautiful town, great food, and cute servers - I just wish I didn't have to drive so dang far to get there!
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I Love The Big Pic!
Reviewed by altosax on June 26, 2008
This is the ultimate dinner & a movie place. It is an awesome hang out for all crowds, where you can bring your boy/girlfriend or grandparents, and have a great time either way. The food is amazing (may I suggest Huevos Rancheros), though a bit overpriced. It's local, too! Movies are great, Small Donuts are even better, and the whole night is the best! Way to go, Claudia and Eugene!
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