De Young Museum Cafe (Reported Closed)

Doesn't Recommend

2KitchSter

Joined 5 years ago

FOOD was NOT GOOD!!!!!. The service was very slow for not being crowded at all. However who ever is cooking the food not a clue to what they are doing back there must be thinking of other things -- took us over 30 min. to get two salads and a sandwich that was not very good at all. We heard a lot of laughing from the kitchen area, management really needs to look into this. I must say there was nothing "classic" about this experience. Stick to the MOMA you know what you will get GOOD FOOD and GOOD SERVICE at the MOMA!

Doesn't Recommend

citydavid

Joined 6 years ago

Very disorganized. We've eaten here a few times and regardless of the size of the crowds they see to have trouble doing an average job on service. The food is fine for a museum cafe, not as good as MOMA, but the service really needs work. I was finally prompted to write this review becasue today, during the very popular Chihuly exhibit, it took over 20 minutes for them to deliver mac 'n cheese, fries and grilled corn. We expected some wait given the crowds but all of the food was lukewarm. If it had been hot we would have totally understood.

Doesn't Recommend

tangotraveller

Joined 7 years ago

What a disappointment!. Given the Deyoung museums spectacular new building, one would expect that the museum would have a decent cafe and restaurant. You would however be wrong. The food is very reminscent of what you would get at an airport. Although the prepack salad I had was in fact fresh, had a good dressing, and plenty of chicken, the overall vibe is way too "airport" for a frequent traveler to enjoy. With the universal availability of good restaurants in SF, it just amazes me that the museum can't do better than this. The outdoor chairs are metal and very interesting in shape, but on a cold day, they will chill you to the bone. In addition, the Architect seems to have forgotten that the purpose of an awning or roof is to shade people from both the sun and the rain. The awning outside of the restaurant is so busy being an architectural statement that it doesn't keep you dry at all. If you need a quick snack at the museum this is better than nothing, but a very big disappointment when compared with either the rest of the museum or the overall food service in SF.

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Housed in Golden Gate Park's architectural tour de force, this visually striking cafe serves classic American eats.. The Scene
Museum goers, tourists and locals out for a stroll in the park flock to this vibrant, energetic eatery. Floor-to-ceiling windows line the 3,700-square-foot expanse, offering views of the Barbro Osher Sculpture Garden. The otherwise angular, austere space is dominated by colorful glass blown pendant lamps, which hang from the ceiling like giant gumballs. The geometrically shaped black metal chairs are surprisingly comfortable.

The Food
Though several steps above usual museum cafeteria fare, the menu is more café than gourmet. Sandwiches range from peanut butter and strawberry jam to beef, Brie and horseradish mayo and are served on thick slices of artisan bread. Seasonal soups, such as organic corn and potato chowder, arrive in ultramodern, asymmetrical bowls. Homespun sides are hit or miss; shoestring French fried potatoes are crisp and salty, while mac 'n' cheese arrives bland and overcooked. But salads, made with fresh, local greens, are a sure bet.