RESTAURANTS > RESTAURANT PROFILES > Science Street Cafe

Science Street Cafe
Museum of Science Science Park 723-2500
Andrew King

Sitting by candlelight, under a white umbrella table in the small café, my friend and I contemplate the busy week past, while sipping tart California Chardonnay—perfect for Friday evening. After a bite to eat, and then a couple of cappuccinos, we’ll head for the show. The epic Mysteries of Egypt is playing at the Omni Theatre tonight. In fact, it’s right upstairs from the café. Yes, we are actually at the Museum of Science.

The Museum’s new Science Street Café offers visitors a charming and relaxing setting on Friday nights from 6-10 p.m. Located at the base of the Omni Theatre‘s stairway entrance, this quaint little hideaway is ideal for pre- and post-show drinks and delectable appetizers. Boasting a captivating ambiance, the Science Street Café is set betwixt and between a gigantic mechanical maze display and towering ceilings and windows.

Expecting little more than a glorified food court, I was surprised to see that the café was indeed a sophisticated entity unto itself. “I wanted to offer something for the after-five crowd,” says executive chef Lynda Boothroyd, who is also in charge of in-house catering at the Museum. Her menu reflects a more eclectic taste than your basic “museum food.” Boothroyd’s creations include tiger shrimp, lo mein noodle and vegetable salad, and New York cheesecake. The drink menu offers domestic and imported beers, as well as chardonnay, cabernet and white zinfandel. And if you’ve brought the kids along, that’s okay, too. The menu is diverse enough for everyone’s taste. “I enjoy creating enticing menus that have something for everyone,” explains Boothroyd.

After a glass of wine, my friend and I tried a couple of plates recommended to us by our waitress. First came a fresh tomato and basil salad, which was a zesty complement to our chardonnay. Next, we were served two appetizers: crispy vegetable spring rolls and smoked chicken and cheese quesadillas. The spring rolls were accompanied by a sweet and tangy lime dipping sauce, while Boothroyd’s smoked chicken gave the quesadillas a unique, western flavor. Finally, the New York cheesecake and a couple of cappuccinos pleasantly completed our pre-show rendezvous.

Nearly as pleasing as the flavor of Boothroyd’s dishes was the way in which they were presented. Each of our orders arrived at our table looking like it had come straight from the famous kitchen of the Tavern on the Green in New York City.

Whether you’re headed to the Museum to see a movie at the Omni, to view the Sky Tonight at the planetarium or if you’re just passing by after work, you’ll want to get into the Friday mood with a visit to the Science Street Café—where you just might forget you’re in a museum.