Spiderman And The Hulk Add Punch To Opening Of Marvel Mania Eatery

By James Zoltak
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. -- With more news choppers following him than a renegade motorist in a freeway chase, the Marvel Comics character Spiderman swooped 50 mph down a cable strung from atop the 30-story Universal Hilton to the roof of Marvel Mania, the latest entry in the already crowded themed restaurant derby.
The Feb. 18 opening bash, replete with fireworks and confetti blasts, inaugurated the splashy, comics-themed eatery, a venture of Marvel Entertainment Group and Universal Studios Hollywood.
With company brass such as Universal Studios Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Frank Biondi and President and Chief Operating Officer Steve Carley in attendance along with Marvel Films Chairman Stan Lee and Marvel Studios President Gary Gittlesohn, over 400 members of the media and public thronged the entrance of the 400-seat restaurant for the opening.
Located on the site of the former Victoria Station restaurant, Marvel Mania has entrances to both the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park and the adjacent Universal CityWalk retail/entertainment center.
Inspired by such Marvel characters as Spiderman, the Hulk, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, Captain America and the Silver Surfer, the restaurant is chock full of artwork by Marvel artists and special effects such as:
a fog-filled "decompression chamber" entrance;
a 20-square-foot video wall surrounded by a so-called "Morph Wall" that flashes images while original Marvel comic animation is shown on the video screen;
booth cushions that sense motion and vibrate in tandem with the screen images.
keepsakes
The colorful keepsake menus are designed to look like comic books and offer such fare as Mutant Chicken Wings ($6.50); Fantastic Four Cheese Pasta ($9.95); Daredevil"s Rolled Billy Club ($8.95); and Storm"s Hurricane Shrimp ($13.95).
For dessert there are items such as Sinister Strawberry Shortcake ($5.50) or Ballistic Butterfinger Bread Pudding ($5.95).
A kid"s menu -- which boasts "Absolutely no broccoli, spinach or squash on this menu!"-- is available for youngsters 10 and under and includes complete meals priced at $5.95 or an additional $1.95 with dessert.
Marvel Mania also features full bar service, with themed libations such as various Web Shooters ($5.95), a Marvel Triple Action (flavored rums, pineapple and orange juice served in a beaker, $5.95) and a host of fanciful soft drinks and coffee beverages.
A merchandise shop offers items such as Marvel Mania T-shirts ($14-$26), sweatshirts ($45), caps ($15) and jackets (up to $255).
The restaurant will operate from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily.
"It will definitely enhance the length of stay at the park and at CityWalk," said Universal Studios Hollywood Senior