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Museum Cafe

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Idler
Idler
First Reviewer
5 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
1
Review
4
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Editor Pick

The Museum Cafe at the Museum of Contemporary Art

  • February 1, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Idler from Poolesville, Maryland
The Museum Cafe at the Museum of Contemporary Art

I’d read that the Museum Cafe at the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla was worth checking out, and as we arrived at the museum near lunchtime and hadn’t eaten, we decided to give it a try. I’d say this was one of our trip’s "finds"--I just wish this place could be cloned and transplanted to our hometown.

The café is in an airy atrium-like setting with suitably modern minimalist touches. There are outdoor tables that can be set up under the museum’s trademark palm trees, but on a chilly, gray day, dining indoors seemed a better bet. On the other hand, with the nasty weather, there were relatively few patrons on hand and we were immediately seated.

The menu presents an immediate dilemma: what to choose. Each listing sounds more appealing than the next. I was intrigued by such dishes as Moroccan grilled shrimp or a salad with grilled chicken, Gorgonzola cheese, green apples, organic greens, and candied pecans. One sandwich features roast beef, caramelized onions, and Manchego cheese, while another featured applewood smoked bacon paired with avocado. Emphasis was on using the very freshest ingredients and little fat in preparation.

Greg knew instantly that he wanted: the "Classic Cove" burger, which came with herbed wedges of Yukon Gold potatoes. His meal was truly mouth-watering just to look at--one of the prettiest burgers I’ve ever seen, and from his mute nods of appreciation, it was probably one of the tastiest as well. After some deliberation, Jack and I ordered. He started with a bowl of black bean soup topped with sour cream and shredded cheddar, followed by an inventive quesadilla featuring fresh mango, avocado, and a smoky-flavored cheese I couldn’t identify. Jack asked the waitress to bring him some chopped jalapenos--there were supposedly jalapenos already in the quesadilla, but not enough for a man who downs half jars of pickled jalapenos at a single sitting. "Some like it hot," indeed.

I opted for a beet and orange salad, served with a wonderfully subtle balsamic vinaigrette on the side. The rondels of cooked beet and seedless orange ringed a bed of baby greens. Salted almond slices and dollops of wonderfully creamy goat cheese made the perfect accompaniment to the pairing of beet and citrus. I must say that I’ve never had goat cheese that I liked as well as that particular type. Normally I find goat cheese a bit chalky, but this was wonderful stuff.

Jack and Greg finished their meal with frothy double espressos, while I contented myself with a refill of fragrant apricot iced tea. This quintessentially Californian meal was both light and wholesome, yet it felt like we’d really splurged. It wasn’t particularly hard on the wallet, either, given the upscale La Jolla location. The total bill came to $41. Note that this is a great place for brunch, too, as breakfast items such as huevos rancheros are served until 3pm.

From journal New Year's in La Jolla

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