The Museum Restaurant at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Presents The Art of Latin American Cuisine A Tasty Tribute to Tesoros/Treasures/Tesouros: The Arts in Latin America, 1492-1820

“We have taken some of the most popular foods of Latin America, and incorporated them into the menu,” said Executive Chef J.C. Nuñez. The menu is varied and interesting, presenting fairly traditional Latin American fare in a non-traditional way. Diners can enjoy empanadillas de carne, a classic street food throughout South America, as a first course. There is also an elegant scallop and shrimp ceviche, with jicama and crab meat topped with a chipotle vinaigrette, an interesting version of Peru’s tasty national dish.

“Using the finest and freshest ingredients is always a priority,” says Sous Chef Javier Cuesta. “Our guests will be able to experience cactus salad, savory plantain cake, duck ham and avocado soup…true Latin American flavors we hope will enhance their museum experience during these two exhibitions.”

The always-popular Artist’s Table will continue to offer the grilled vegetables, whole roasted salmon and a variety of rotisserie items that Museum Restaurant patrons have come to enjoy. But the opportunity to sample something new is there as well, with the addition of cheeses and cured meats, salads and salsas that are common to the Latin American table.

Of course, no meal can be complete without dessert, and tropical fruits are the stars in guava cheesecake, coconut custard and banana chocolate tart with caramel and chocolate sauce. And the traditional Latin American dessert Dulce de Tres Leches –three milk cake – is sure to become a favorite of Museum Restaurant patrons.

The Latin American menu will remain in the Museum Restaurant until January 1, 2007.

Both Executive Chef J.C. Nuñez and Sous Chef Javier Cuesta have an extensive background in Latin and Spanish cuisines. J.C. Nuñez worked with Chef Douglas Rodriguez and Chef Jose Garces at Philadelphia’s Restaurant Alma de Cuba. Javier Cuesta, a native of Seville, Spain, worked in many restaurants in Spain prior to coming to the Delaware Valley in 1995. He owned the well-regarded Restaurant La Encina in East Goshen Township, PA, and has taught Spanish cuisine at Drexel University’s Culinary Arts program.

Dinner is served every Friday evening, 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. in The Museum Restaurant. Guests can enjoy lunch in the Museum Café, the Balcony Café and The Museum Restaurant Tuesday – Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. The elegant surroundings of The Museum Restaurant make Sunday Champagne Brunch a special treat, and a lovely High Tea is served every Thursday, 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Reservations are always suggested; call 215-684-7990. The Museum Restaurant will also continue its much-acclaimed monthly wine tasting and art talks, and quarterly wine dinners. For reservations to the wine events, call 215-235-7469.

About Restaurant Associates

New York based Restaurant Associates' Managed Services Division, an independent operating subsidiary of Compass Group North America, provides premium food services to some of Manhattan’s major corporations including Condé Nast Publications, Lehman Brothers and Time Warner. It also serves some of the most world-renowned museums and performing arts center in New York, Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and other cities, such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. For more information, visit www.restaurantassociates.com

About Compass Group

Charlotte-based Compass Group, The Americas Division is the leading contract foodservice company with more than $7.7 billion in revenues and more than 160,000 associates throughout the US, Canada and Latin America. Its parent company, UK-based Compass Group PLC was ranked the 12th largest employer by Fortune magazine in 2006. It has worldwide revenues of $23.5 billion with over 400,000 associates working in more than 90 countries. For more information, visit www.cgnad.com.

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