Enjoying the warmer weather we turn to a summer series visiting museums to partake in a summer journey of art and food, after all, #FoodIsArt. (Eat at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; Peabody Essex Museum; Worcester Art Museum; Norman Rockwell Museum, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum… and more).
The simplistic sentiments of community reign at Peabody Essex Museum through its vibrant, collaborative nature and open-door policy. With a rich history of captains and sailors, Peabody Essex Museum remains true to its ocean ties with its architectural design by Moshe Safdie. The expansive glass ceiling offers a glimpse into Salem’s obsession with skies and seas while a contemporary flair echoes through the walls of the museum and resonates on the delicate pages of the Atrium Café menu.
Open to all Salem residents at no cost, the Peabody Essex Museum embraces the use of the well-lit Atrium Café as a gathering center to indulge in Salem’s history. “The atrium is Salem’s living room,” said Whitney Van Dyke, Director of Communications. “With folks from Salem, we keep our doors open and inviting. We embrace the food scene that is is booming in Salem and partner with local brewers and food specialists. We do not see the outdoor eateries as competition. Instead, we embrace them with invites to our Atrium Cafe and special events.” With a contemporary menu inspired by Salem’s story, the Atrium Café infuses the culinary skills of the Hawthorne Hotel – named after Salem’s favorite son, Nathaniel Hawthorne – into its weekly menu options.
Chefs Emmy Nelson and Nicole Nadeau bring the culinary flair of the Peabody Essex Museum’s sailing culture with light dining choices like The Hawthorne – a candied maple bacon, oven roasted turkey sandwich with spinach, Dijon mustard and sliced shallots – and the Clam Chowdah – a New England specialty. The menu, while in constant state of change to reflect inspired cuisines, is always comprised of featured soups and salads alongside gluten-free dishes and child-friendly options.
Casual dining at the Atrium Café is certainly a staple of Salem culture; however, PEM’s third Thursdays offer a true showcase of the culinary skills that drive the Atrium Café. On these monthly occasions, the museum opens its doors until 9 p.m.
PEM’s PM is a night of celebrating Salem’s well-bonded community with an artistic emphasis, yet the highlight of the evening is often a treat from the Atrium Café’s PM menu. The Café’s savory and inspired dishes breathe life into the simplest culinary cuisine, like the pesto arugula chicken breast and roasted purple cauliflower.
From Jalapeno cornbread to roast beef paninis and shrimp skewers, the dishes prepared by the Hawthorne Hotel for the Atrium Café speak to the modest beginnings of Salem’s History.
