Georges redeems la France in the area of Museum Restaurants

Centre Pompidou Musée National d'Art Moderne Paris France
Centre Pompidou – Musée National d’Art Moderne – Paris France

My hypothesis on the possibility of being able to find good Vegetarian dishes in museum restaurants around the world has mostly proven to be true so far. One notable exceptions being le Louvre – the National Art Museum of la France where the only vegetarian option in December 2013 was a microwaved quiche in the cafeteria – with paper plate, plastic cutlery and with red wine in a plastic cup and all it made for a pretty dismal experience! I am happy to now note that the French pride is somewhat restored in that the Georges restaurant on the 6th floor at the Centre Pompidou which is also known as Musée National d’Art Moderne, has a very good vegetarian option on the menu (more than one would of course be most welcome – but it’s a start). The service is very good and it is a white tablecloth and red rose in a vase kind of a place – the tables are pretty close together though so you may be able to say hi to the neighbors if you so like. It is not an inexpensive restaurant, but I think the experience and the quality of the food and service makes it worth the price. The views are nice – just realize that washing the windows on the outside is likely not easy and you can tell that it is not something that is done very often.

Apéritif - un Pastise
Apéritif – un Pastise
MUSHROOMS RAVIOLIS, TRUFFLE CREAM
MUSHROOMS RAVIOLIS, TRUFFLE CREAM
Chocolate fondant, cafe et un Cognac
Chocolate fondant, cafe et un Cognac

The restaurant Georges will either prepare you for the museum visit or it could just be the very pleasant ending of your visit – your choice really. Check hours etc. here.  Making a reservation may also be a good idea since it is a popular place. This visit was made in January 2015.

Rose
Rose

 

 

 

Best Vegetarian (or Vegan if you so choose) Burger in Paris at V.G

V.G Burger 85 Rue Lafayette Paris
V.G Burger 85 Rue Lafayette Paris

In Paris V.G. is so far the best place I have found for when you crave a fast food style healthy vegan or vegetarian burger (you can choose style). they make it all fresh right in front of you and the burgers are all delicious. V.G is located in the 9e arrondissement and fairly close to Gare du Nord and Montmartre. The prices are reasonable, EUR 9.90 in January 2015 which includes burger, frites and a soft-drink such as – Orangina.

VG Burger combo
VG Burger combo
V.G Burger kitchen
V.G Burger kitchen

 

Tate Modern London Restaurant

Sir Henry Tate

Sir Henry Tate 3-11-1819-12-5-1899
Sir Henry Tate 3-11-1819-12-5-1899

The Sugar Cube – Main source of Sir Henry Tate’s fortune.

Sugar cubes - the main source of Sir Henry Tate's fortune was the patent for the sugar cube which he acquired.
Sugar cubes – the main source of Sir Henry Tate’s fortune was the patent for the sugar cube which he acquired.

Sir Henry Tate was the founder of the Tate art collections and galleries, two in London, the Tate Modern and Tate Britain, One in Liverpool – Tate Liverpool, and one in Cornwall – Tate St Ives. He made the bulk of his fortune from acquiring the patent for the sugar cube.

Richard Tuttle's 'I don't know' in the great hall at the Tate Modern London
Richard Tuttle’s ‘I don’t know’ in the great hall at the Tate Modern London

I have been to the Tate a few times now and it is one of my favorite places in London , and the world for that matter, to go for art. They also happen to have a very nice and vegetarian friendly restaurant on the sixth floor with an extraordinary view of the river Thames and the city. I went back this year while visiting for the Holidays and found that the quality is still top notch, although one might wish for a menu refresh as far as the Vegetarian alternative goes. The Mushroom risotto is very good but another alternative would be welcomed.

A view from the 6:th ffloor restaurant at Tate Modern, London
A view from the 6:th floor restaurant at Tate Modern, London
Inside the restaurant
Inside the restaurant
Aperitif
Aperitif
Onion soup and a Port to start
Onion soup and a Sherry to start
Mushroom Risotto paired with a nice Côtes du Rhône
Mushroom Risotto paired with a nice Côtes du Rhône

You can also, and it may even be advisable, pair your food selections with excellent beers chosen especially for some dishes – in this case I just felt like wine…

Regional British cheeses, oatcakes and chutney paired with Flight of wines, 3 wines of 50ml each
Regional British cheeses, oatcakes and chutney paired with Flight of wines, 3 wines of 50ml each
Coffee and Cognac in the Memeber's room at the Tate Modern
Coffee and Cognac in the Member’s room at the Tate Modern London

If you plan on visiting more than one of the Tate’s and to come back – it may be worth becoming a member – you will also support this great organization’s work by doing so. Memberships currently – December 2014 start at GBP 62.

 

 

 

 

 

New York – New York

New York City November 2014

New York City
New York City

On a recent visit to New York City I had a chance to test my theory of the good quality of Vegetarian food at museums around the world. So far one of my favorites is the restaurant at the Tate modern in London. The bottom of the barrel so far is the Louvre museum in Paris, where the best Vegetarian dish was a microwaved quiche! That alone should be fodder for another French revolution given the French’s love of food…

My first museum restaurant in NYC this time around was the ‘Wright‘ at the Guggenheim museum. Since the restaurant was not planned for at the time of building but was added in 2009 it is located on the bottom floor and pretty much has no views to the outside and neighboring Central Park, but the space is nicely designed and the surrounding museum has plenty of visual pleasure to enjoy before or after your meal anyway. The lunch was very good and an overall superb dining experience even for a Vegetarian, I can strongly recommend it! I recommend that you check the hours though since the were only open for lunch and closed early at the time I visited.

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
The Wright restaurant at the Guggenheim in NYC
The Wright restaurant at the Guggenheim in NYC
The Bar in the Wright restaurant at the Guggenheim in NYC
The Bar in the Wright restaurant at the Guggenheim in NYC

 

A Manhattan at the Wright in the Guggenheim on Manhattan
A Manhattan at the Wright in the Guggenheim on Manhattan
Soup at the Wright in the Guggenheim on Manhattan
Soup at the Wright in the Guggenheim on Manhattan
A Manhattan at the Wright in the Guggenheim on Manhattan
A Manhattan at the Wright in the Guggenheim on Manhattan
Risotto at the Wright in the Guggenheim on Manhattan
Risotto at the Wright in the Guggenheim on Manhattan
Dessert at the Wright in the Guggenheim on Manhattan
Dessert at the Wright in the Guggenheim on Manhattan