I have been Carnegie Museum of Art twice for assignments of Introduction of World Art (HAA 0010), but until last week I noticed a Cafe on the first floor. Cafe Carnegie opened in December 2016, with continuous updating to meet people’s need. Fairly to say, Cafe Carnegie is an above-average restaurant; the designers and chefs understand requirements of costumes, and they are provided at a reasonable price. Until walking in the cafe, you won’t realize how big space is. It’s bright, open and modern, and forest of lamps creates a warm and dreamy atmosphere. Cafe Carnegie has stricken a balance between serious and romantic. People could have family dinner, business meeting, or dating here.
I came to Cafe Carnegie on Sunday for an assignment, and I walked in without a reservation. There are no much people here, and most of the tables are empty. But it’s better to reserve a table in advance. Servers are nice and friendly, and they provided good suggestions regarding the menu. I ordered pulled chicken salad, and it’s the best salad I ever had. The light-tasting red wine vinaigrette has a delicious sweet tangy tasty, and taste of pine nuts is subtle and delicious. Lettuces are fresh. Quality of the salad worth $15, or more.
There are limited selections on the menu. For a cafe in the museum, the food diversity is excellent, but it’s not enough. In the list, I saw Caesar salad, hot dog, house-made country pate sandwich, wild gulf shrimp roll, baked chicken crepes, but that’s all. There is no second option for a sandwich or salad. I understand they need to balance food diversity and preparation cost; it’s reasonable to design a menu like that. They try to meet the basic requirement for children, vegetarians, and meat lovers. They have an exclusive list for children, with fruits, hot dog, etc.
Also, the distance between tables is too close; not every comfortable. I am confused about it since there were few people when I came there. The distance is too close, and you can easily hear others talking and laughing. For people who want to enjoy a private time with family or friends, they may feel disappointed. Last but not least, I think the price is fair. With tax and tips, I paid $20 for a salad. Usually, I won’t buy a salad at this price, but it’s in a museum and it tastes great. Overall, I’m glad Cafe Carnegie fulfilled the blank in Carnegie Museum of Art. It’s a nice place to take a rest and have an enjoyable time with family.
