One of the goals of museums is to motivate more patrons to walk through the front door. How can anyone resist the lure of a dazzling meal to quench the culinary palate and the effects of art as eye candy for dessert?
The perfect combination--food as art, art as food, both the art lover who loves food and the food lover who loves art is full of praise for such a fulfilling activity.
Detroit Institute of Art
Founded in 1883, the Detroit Institute of Art has over one hundred galleries with an amazing collection of Egyptian mummies. Don't miss the enormous 1932 mural by Diego Rivera "Detroit Industry," and a larger-than-life sized statue of "The Thinker" by Rodin outside the Woodward Avenue entrance to the museum.
The Institute offers a number of enjoyable opportunities to dine among art. Brunch with Bach is a popular concert series that combines music from a variety of cultures with elegant ambiance and culinary artistry in Kresge Court. Guests can view and select their food from themed dishes related to the current art exhibits at the food preparation exhibition window. The executive chef oversees Sunday brunch and dinner every first Friday of the month in the Gallery Grille.
Georgia O'Keeffe Museum
Opened in 1997 and a relative newcomer to the art museum scene, the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico, displays 130 works of art by O'Keefe in their permanent collection. The museum's nine galleries feature a number of the artist's better-known works including the artists' signature paintings of flowers, seashells, cityscapes and landscapes.
In the Café the décor evokes an O'Keeffe canvas and the menu reflects the artist's own interest in growing her vegetables and the infinite possibilities of seasonal foods. Contemporary cuisine is served on the patio/courtyard during the summer. During the winter months guests dine in two cozy dining rooms with black and white photographs of the artist by Edward Weston.
If your travel plans include the Santa Fe area, stop by the O'Keeffe Museum for lunch or dessert and a cappuccino. Incidentally, the raspberry parfait sounds absolutely heavenly, and is a real attention stealer among dining room patrons according to the manager.
Philadelphia Art Alliance
Founded in 1915 and the oldest multidisciplinary art center in the United States, the Philadelphia Art Alliance, hosts exhibitions and lectures by outstanding figures in the world of visual, performing and literary arts. The center has the distinction of giving Andrew Wyeth his solo exhibition in 1937.
Go To Page: 1 2
