The Metropolitan Museum of Art: it’s the place to eat in New York. Who knew?
My daughter and I just spent a delectable Saturday “eating up” the Met – the art, the culture and four thousand years plus one day’s worth of world food. We started out with a freshly baked snack at the American Wing Cafe – and returned there many times throughout our visit using it as a sort of “home base” – before exploring several millenniums worth of culinary related objects throughout the museum.
So what was on the menu? Below, in twelve photos, is a quick but comprehensive tour of food at the Met from 2000 BC – December 16, 2011.
A locally inspired muffin from the American Wing Cafe makes a nice treat before setting out.
And wouldn't they look lovely served on this Portuguese platter gilded and embossed in silver circa 1500?
Would you like some 400-year-old salt with that? A salt-cellar from the 17th century.
Or perhaps just another snack before heading off to see the French masters? What the heck is a "blistered pepper"anyway? Ouch!
But wait! Can I tempt you with a picnic in the Egyptian wing replete with 4,000 year old raisins, dates and bread...
...Followed by a 19th century tea party at the Richmond House in Virginia?
Museum-going is such hard work. I think we need a cranberry pumpkin yogurt parfait back at the cafe.
Before leaving let's take a moment to celebrate the grape harvest and the ecstasy of performance with this lyrical nude sculpted by Harriet Frishmuth in 1924 (grape-vine stretches from finger tip to finger tip). Cafe seating is in the background.
And you'll need some goblets to help with that bacchanal celebration! How about these from the Byzantine Empire fashioned around 700AD?
Don't forget to exit through the gift shop for some Charles Comfort Tiffany inspired mugs or water bottles.
And wouldn't this inspired arrangement from the Met's lobby look lovely on your holiday dinner table? Simply forage for hydrangeas, magnolia and winterberry (with some help from Martha Stewart).
The perfect way to end a visit to the Met is with a Double Chocolate Mocha Cupcake-to-go from Cake & Shake, the mobile food vendor right outside of the museum.
As we left, there was a live orchestra playing on the second floor balcony that surrounds the gracious lobby. Classical chords floated about the bustling entryway, brushing the marble walls and floors with their notes. I was told that the musical performance was to accompany a special holiday dinner for members of the museum. Ahhh, the art of eating in New York.
Lisa,
I loved your food/art tour of the Met. It looks as if you and Lily had a wonderful time in the Big Apple.