A Typical Evening in Columbia City

6 p.m.

Left the house to begin a leisurely stroll east toward the heart of Columbia City. As we walked along, it was nice to stop and greet neighbors who have fast become new friends. So we invited them along.

6:10 p.m.

We arrive at the Columbia City Cinema. A renovated Masonic Lodge, the newly opened 240-seat theater offers an elegant, old-fashioned movie-watching experience complete with polished woodwork, chandeliers, graceful columns, and rich, lush colors. Forget the multi-plex, this theater is for the true movie aficionado.

6:15 p.m.

We grab our drinks and popcorn and head for our seats. As the lights dim, the large screen comes alive with the latest box-office hit.

7:45 p.m.

Time for dinner. After we debate which fabulous restaurant we’ll walk to for dinner, we finally decide on pizza — but not just any pizza, a true Neapolitan pizza at Tutta Bella — one of Seattle’s most popular eateries.

7:50 p.m.

The tantalizing aroma coming from Tutta Bella’s wood-fired stoves fills the air even before we open the door. Joe Fugere, the restaurant’s proprietor, traveled to Italy to ensure the authenticity of his pizza pies. There he learned from the masters and became a certified pizzaiolo (Italian for pizzamaker).

7:52 p.m.

We are seated and happy at a table, where we can eye the pizzas on other patrons’ tables and savor the aromas coming from the ovens. Another choice…which one to order. Finally, settling on the Mediterranean and a big salad to share, we toast each other with a little vino rosso.

9:30 p.m.

Finito? Not quite! On our way home we pop into Lottie’s Lounge for a leisurely brandy and some more chatter. A little dessert catches our eye…Yum!

10:40 p.m.

Fully sated and relaxed, it’s Home Sweet Home for us. A night out with friends and the car never left the garage. That’s dinner and a movie, Columbia City style.