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River Oaks Theatre marquee sign. The main theater at River Oaks Theatre. F or more than two years, Houston cinema fans have anxiously awaited the re-entrée of the iconic River Oaks Theatre on West Gray. Finally, the curtain has lifted to unveil a new era for the beloved 85-year-old art house, which has been impeccably restored to its original glory by Omar Khan's Culinary Khancepts, with the help of design firm Gensler. Construction was a collaboration with local, state, and federal historic preservation groups; the painstaking, multi-million-dollar project resulted in rebuilding the entire infrastructure before aesthetic improvements could begin. Today, the circa-1939 Art Deco design has been beautifully restored, from the gold-leaf cove ceilings at the entry and the custom carpets woven in their original burgundy hue to the brass accents and gleaming marble-topped bars. In the main theater, where the ceiling soars to 34 feet, gone are the flip seats and sticky floors. In their place are wide aisles with plush gray chenille seating (237 seats in the main theatre, 50 in each of the two AND RESTORED NOW PREMIERING By Laurann Claridge smaller theaters) with movable tray tables and a discreet button to beckon your waiter. Granted, there's plenty of buttered popcorn, but chef Tim Reading and director of culinary operations for Culinary Khancepts Justin Yoakum have developed a menu of delectable snacks, including seafood cakes with a green apple salad and lemon aioli ($19) and spicy veal and pork fried meatballs ($16). Pull up a chair at one of the two stocked bars on the first and second floors and ask the barkeep to shake a signature craft cocktail inspired by lines in enduring Hollywood films ($16 each). For the first time in its history, the theater now has an artistic director, Robert Saucedo, to program not only independent films but also live shows, from stand-up comedians to concerts and talks with authors and RIVER OAKS THEATRE filmmakers, utilizing the newly installed state-of- the-art sound, lighting, and stage systems. A new private theater lounge accommodating 20 guests offers an intimate viewing experience, too. "We've assembled a wide-ranging lineup of films and live events to mark the reopening, featuring everything from beloved classics to independent gems," Saucedo says. For film buffs, the reopening also marks the launch of the Cinema Savant subscription program, which allows moviegoers to view one flick every day for $20 a month. You can also make your mark by purchasing an engraved plaque with your name or perhaps a memorable movie quote attached to your favorite seat in the house. That personal touch will set you back $2,000 but think of it as our own Hollywood Walk of Fame. You'll be in good company: Directors Wes Anderson and Richard Linklater were each honored with a golden plaque. Movie tickets can be purchased online or at the box office, which opens one hour before the first showtime. River Oaks Theatre, River Oaks Shopping Center, theriveroakstheatre.com. THE REIMAGINED JASON OSTROW 106