Rate-A-Restaurant, #52 in a series

Restaurant:ArcLight Cafe/Bar

Location: 6360 W Sunset Blvd (between Vine and Ivar, with DeLongpre to the south)

Type of restaurant: Mixed/Americana

They stipulated: Tell them what time your movie at the ArcLight begins, and they'll make sure to get you out in time. (Maria and I actually went to the ArcLight cafe, believe it or not, without seeing a movie at the theatre complex. Yes, we're weird.)

What we ordered: corn tamale covered with signature chicken black bean chili (Mike); Chicken Salad Sandwich (Maria)

High point: Service is fast -- can't keep moviegoers waiting -- and for a cafe inside a theater, the food is surprisingly decent. (Not that you can go wrong by dumping chicken chili over a tamale.) The real reason we went -- besides the slim pickings in the Sunset/Vine 'hood (Baja Fresh? Nah. And not in the mood to try the Schwab's spot just yet) -- was the atmosphere. The ArcLight has the feel of a busy train station, and is ripe for people watching. And eavesdropping on conversation. (The producers behind us kept marvelling at the success of ABC's "Desperate Housewives." And probably were plotting their own rip-off.)

Low point: We felt a tad goofy heading there without a movie ticket. Everyone -- the greeter, the waitress -- kept asking us what time our movie was. Also, because we didn't catch a flick, parking wasn't free.

Overall impression: Not a bad Friday night -- light dinner at the ArcLight, browse the solid selection of books at the ArcLight's gift shop, perhaps dart across the street to Amoeba, and even see a movie.

Chance we will go back: Likely. And with a baby on the way, we better see a movie next time. 'Cause that sure won't happen after Dec. 31.

For a complete archive of our Rate-A-Restaurant reviews, check out our companion ratearestaurant.blogspot.com website.