Nasher Museum Café
© Duke Photography
Giorgios Hospitality Group, caterer and owner of six Triangle-area restaurants, is the new director of the Nasher Museum Café.
To complement the Nasher Museum's increased emphasis on contemporary art, owner Giorgios Bakatsias of Giorgios Hospitality Group and Dale Rey, the company's director of project development, have developed a contemporary menu of soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts, including vegetarian fare. The cafe will adhere to the "slow food" philosophy - that is, simple, seasonal recipes with fresh ingredients that are organic and locally grown when possible.
"We are very pleased to partner with Giorgios Bakatsias for his strong vision, successful track record and many years of experience as a creative restaurateur," said Kimerly Rorschach, the Mary D.B.T. and James H. Semans Director of the Nasher at Duke. "Our museum visitors can continue to expect delicious food - and also some lovely new ideas for the menu and special events."
The full new seasonal menu is available with such dishes as an heirloom tomato, blue crab and avocado salad; a salad of arugula, prosciutto, fig, aged goat cheese, evo and vincotto; wild salmon with crushed peas, horseradish creme fraiche and beet coulis; and an all-natural hamburger made of grass-fed beef on a toasted brioche bun. For dessert, the café features fresh-baked cookies, homemade ice cream, fruit dishes and cupcakes. On Thursday nights, when the café stays open until 8:30 p.m., Bakatsias said he plans to invite guest chefs from his other restaurants and from outside the Triangle to cook special menus. He is also exploring the idea of "teatime" with specialty teas, coffees and pastries every afternoon at the café.
"It's a grand opportunity," Bakatsias said. "I've always liked coming to the museum for its energy and excellence, and our menu and approach to plate presentation will complement the contemporary environment."
The café's previous chef, Amy Tornquist of Sage & Swift, is leaving the Nasher Museum Café to open two new restaurants in Durham. The café will close for nine days starting June 30 to prepare for the transition in management.
The Nasher Museum Café will be open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays for aperitifs and dinner; and noon to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday for brunch. The museum will be closed Mondays. Entrance to the Nasher Museum Café will not require purchase of admission to the museum. Museum members enjoy a 10 percent discount at the café with their membership cards .
Giorgios Bakatsias of Giorgios Hospitality Group
A native of Greece, Giorgios Bakatsias brings more than 40 years of experience to the Nasher Museum Café. Since 1987, he has been the creative force behind more than 25 restaurants, food venues and gourmet markets. Giorgios Hospitality Group owns six restaurants, including Parizade, Verde, George's Garage and Vin Rouge in Durham; Spice Street and Bin Fifty-Four in Chapel Hill. He also owns G Loft Lounge in Durham. His consulting group helps to launch new restaurants - most recently, Grasshopper in Durham and Jujube in Chapel Hill.