The Philadelphia Museum of Art will open a new Frank Gehry–designed restaurant this October. Called Stir, it is currently the only Gehry-designed restaurant on the East Coast offering a fine-dining experience to the public.
Stir is part of the museum’s broader facilities upgrade, scheduled for completion in 2020. The restaurant showcases a distinctive architectural approach and a striking sculptural element that stretches across the main dining room ceiling. The menu emphasizes seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and is intended to be a culinary destination for museum visitors who want refined dining paired with a compelling aesthetic, including an open kitchen. The dining room accommodates 76 guests.
“Here is the Stir menu in two words — local and inspired. Whether stopping in for brunch or lunch, we expect that our guests will be delighted with our curated culinary offerings — from small plates that include roasted Jersey peaches, seared Barnegat scallops and a farm-fresh corn bisque, to main dishes like a dry-aged farm stand burger topped with Lancaster cheddar, Kennett Square wild mushroom frittata and handmade torn pasta bursting with regional flavors. The beverage menu features a variety of signature mixed drinks, wines by the bottle and glass and a refreshing selection of local beers,” said Mark Tropea, executive chef of Stir.
Gehry’s influence is apparent throughout the space: custom seating and tables, Douglas fir walls and ceilings, red oak flooring, and a layered palette of materials such as frosted glass, felt, steel and leather that add texture and warmth.
As part of the museum-wide improvements, a separate, larger cafeteria adjacent to Stir will also open. With seating for 160 guests, the cafeteria is significantly larger than the former facility and offers views across the Schuylkill River. Its offerings will include artisanal sandwiches, salads, brick-oven pizzas and specialty coffees. A new espresso bar is scheduled to open in 2019.
“As we envision the future visitor experience, we are delighted to be developing these exciting new dining options — for people who want a wonderful fine dining experience, for families with children looking for casual dining with lots of options, for people who are connecting with their friends over great coffee in an amazing space. We are delighted that in designing our dining facilities, Frank Gehry and his team have surpassed our expectations. We look forward to welcoming our visitors to these new spaces in just a few months,” said Gail Harrity, president and COO of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.