If you’re in Orlando and looking for a movie-going experience that doesn’t include all of the annoyances of an everyday movie theater, there are only a few choices. One of these choices stands well above the rest.

Tucked away under a few old oak trees in Maitland lives the Enzian Theater. The Enzian is a movie theater like no other. Equipped with comfortable sofas, chairs and tables where you can order dinner and drinks off a full menu, the Enzian’s one screen plays host to independent and foriegn films for much smaller audiences than you’d find in an average stadium-seating theater.

Instead of cell phones, noisy neighbors and laser pointers, the Enzian experience might include a pint of Samuel Adams seasonal lager, a roasted wild mushroom baguette and maybe even a slice of chocolate mousse cake just before the credits roll. The audience is generally a younger crowd, but anyone that enjoys supporting the Central Florida arts community can be found here during the week.

To be clear, the Enzian’s focus is on the films. While many of the titles that are shown will be lesser known to most people, there are a fair amount of very well-known independent and foriegn films each year. “Little Miss Sunshine”, “Super Size Me”, and “Fahrenheit 9/11″ just to name a few. The Enzian generally opens these movies much earlier than other theaters in town, too.

As Central Florida’s only full-time, non-profit movie theater, the Enzian also offers up numerous festivals and special events throughout the year, including the Florida Film Festival each Spring. For a complete schedule and more information on the theater itself, check out their website at www.enzian.org. You’ll want to bookmark this site as buying tickets online is often the best way to ensure you’ll get in, especially on the weekends.

By the way, just in case your not in the mood for the roasted wild mushroom baguette, popcorn is also available on the menu.

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