Ben Bollinger's Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theatre

Elite '09

76

201

Michelle N.

Brea, CA

2/17/2009

I was definitely pleasantly surprised by this place.  I had gone to dinner theater before and was glad to see that not all dinner theater consisted of bad food!  As is typical with these types of places, there are many times in which you may have to share your table with another couple.  That was the case when we went - and it wasn't a bad thing.  We were glad to share the experience with another couple.  I guess it's just luck of the draw!

The service was fantastic and the food was surprisingly good.  I had the red snapper and my husband had the tri-tip - which he raved about.  We also started the meal with the baked brie (i looooove brie!) and it was the perfect amount of cheese!  The meal comes with a starter salad as well.  Other entree choices included roasted chicken and a veggie option.  The server was super polite and friendly and everything seemed to flow at just the right pace before the show.  For dessert I just had coffee, but my husband had vanilla ice cream with fresh berries.  Other options included bread pudding, a berry sundae, cheesecake - and possibly others.

All in all a good time was had by all.  They seem to have a variety of shows to please numerous people.  The one fault was the price.  It was just a tad pricey.  Not too much, but just a little - if not for that, they'd have my last star! We would probably come back just for a change in scenery.

ps.  We had a really noisy table next to us with a loud, obnoxious, drunken man - at intermission, our tablemate made it a point to tell the general manager, who then in turn had a "talk" with the drunken man.  Afterwards, the table seemed to vanish and the GM came and apologized to our table... definitely good service!!

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28

105

Seth G.

Claremont, CA

8/27/2008

The fact that I have been performing regularly at the Candlelight for the past several years is an advantage since I can speak not only from the standpoint of having attended several shows there but also as an hired performer. (I am usually performing solo guitar for the hour preceding the show on Thursdays.)

Mick Bollinger who manages the Candelight runs a first rate theater. I have performed at other dinner theaters in the past; this one is by far the best of them. The vast majority of the shows they produce are excellent.
The new seating arrangements, which are even more comfortable now, is one example of the efforts to find new ways of improving the audience's viewing experience.

Shows are presented on Thursday, Friday, Saturday nights, Sunday evenings with matinées on Saturday and Sundays.

The stage and sound crews are consummate professionals. The waiting staff is highly attentive. For what you get, the ticket prices are a real deal.

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Elite '09

484

358

Amy R.

San Francisco, CA

1/2/2008 1 photo

My family has been coming here every year for the Christmas show since I was a small child (small meaning young since I was 2 feet long at birth).  It's so much fun now that my sister has little kids that get to sit on stage with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

It's a great dinner theater, and the other shows that I've been to have all been wonderful.  That being said, the Christmas show is what it's all about for me.  As I have been attending nearly every year since I was a child myself, I can tell you that it's really fun for all ages.

3 cheers for improving the vegetarian options over they years too!  ...although, please see it in your hearts to give us veggies some sweet potatoes like everyone else gets!  Oh...and the salmon cheesecake...the salmon cheeeeeeeeeesecake!  ...and cheesecake for dessert too!  Yeah...wear loose fitting clothing when you go!

I feel that the private rooms are worth it, especially if you are dining with very young children.  After that, I'd recommend the booths in a semi-circle toward the back of the room.  The worst seats in the house, IMHO, are the ones right next to the stage at the edges of the room.

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