Allisonette #4 and I strolled into the Nasher the other day to have lunch. To buy lunch, unlike at the DMA, we were told we first have to buy admission to the museum.
The policy is understandable considering how the Nasher is configured. To get to the restaurant, one has to walk through the museum, so you see a lot of what people pay admission to see. That design flaw hurts the Nasher and the Arts District, which lacks the sort of drop-by, buy-a-sandwich-and-a-beer, and check-your-IPad places that attract strollers. It also is a revenue-loser for the museum itself.
Memo to Nasher Trustees: Bite the bullet, move your restaurant to the main gallery facing the street, open it up and put tables outside, and invite people to come into your space. It will drive up food and drink revenues, increase paid attendance, and add some life to Flora Street. If you’re worried about architect Renzo Piano, just don’t tell him. He never comes to Dallas. He’ll never know.
13 comments
You are not a member of the Nasher? I’m not sure if I’m surprised or not.
Actually, with Renzo Piano having designed the new wing to the Kimbell Art Museum — which is scheduled to open next year — odds are, the architect will be returning to the area.
And not pay at least a quick visit to the Nasher? Unlikely.
The last time I went to lunch at the Nasher, and it has been well over a year ago, they did not make me buy an admissions ticket. I just told them I wanted lunch only and that was not a problem. Has policy changed?
fully agree that the restaurant should be moved to allow more drop in trade, apparently a non-profit motivated individual(s) were involved in deciding on the restaurant’s current location.. Major projects like this should be reviewed by individuals not associated with the project so that problems like this can be identified and changed prior to start of construction
Consider this…
Nasher has the advantage of Park adjacent frontage, but the disadvantage of being oriented the other way around. Why not take the easy step of building a new space along the Woodall Rodgers frontage road and opening up to the Park?
Also, with the Park coming online, the DMA needs to downsize their motor court, get rid of the shrubs on the cafe side of the entrance and open up patio dining. There is already a door in the glass (currently an emergency exit).
Yup, totally agree — it would be a great place and for an en plein air lunch or afternoon drink… and would encourage more activity in the downtown museum area. It’s not that I don’t want to go into the museum it’s more that I would like to enjoy the space and meet up with friends even when I’m not there to catch a glimpse of a Rodin (sigh—my fave!). Please make this happen!
Or, starting at just $75 a year for a couple, you can become a member and enjoy free admission all year long. It even includes parking at the DMA.
We must have had the same idea last week. I was stunned to learn that. I ended up getting food truck grub and admiring all the beautiful, FREE artwork at Trammell Crow Center. Thank you Margaret and Trammell Crow. There are probably not many other places you can admire a lovely work by Rodin while eating Korean tacos.
They’re completely shooting themselves in the foot. Even if they will let you in “for lunch only,” I always feel a little uncomfortable asking.
The food used to be fabulous when the Mansion/Dean Fearing was doing it.
hey cheapskate! point of Nasher is art not the cafe
join in and enjoy the exhibits
peace
“hey cheapskate! point of Nasher is art not the cafe
join in and enjoy the exhibits”
Actually Uncle Pennybags, the point that day WAS the cafe, as I was on my lunch hour and walked there from my downtown office building to enjoy a nice lunch al fresco. While it would be lovely to have the whole afternoon to dine and meander through the exhibits, my lunch hour is just that.
Not short on cash, short on time.
LJT sorry didn’t mean to offend
just seems people pay lip service to culture
in Dallas but don’t seem to follow thru
with support
There’s a restaurant at the Nasher?!