The new Mel Ramos exhibit at The Crocker is a sight to behold.
But if the pop paintings of nudes alongside larger-than-life sodas, candy and oranges set your tummy rumbling (like they did mine), you’re in luck.
The museum’s newest food offering—located on the ground floor of the sleek, sunlit Friedman Court—is appropriately called the Crocker Café by Supper Club. And it offers a few artful spins on counter staples sure to satiate even the staunchest critics.
I’ve been here before, when it was run by Mulvaney’s B&L. The look and feel is mostly the same, as are the quietly elevated menu items. Think: White truffle asiago or sweet potato fries; a BLT on walnut wheat bread; or a chili lime Caesar salad.
Nothing too ground-breaking, to be sure. But a delightful way to while away an afternoon after soaking in some of the museum’s diverse cultural offerings on the floors above, from ancient Egyptian figurines to stunning 21st Century sculpture.
My advice? Time your visit to coincide with the café’s alluring 4-6 p.m. happy hour on Thursdays. At just five bucks apiece ($7 after 6 p.m.), the surprisingly filling menu items are a great way to cap off a multi-floor cultural walkabout with an array of artful eats.
My museum buddy and I splurged on three of the menu’s four items last week, as outlined below.
¼ lb. Angus cheddar burger with shoestring fries
I don’t mean to over-qualify museum fare. But this burger was surprisingly good! From the toasted bun to the gobs of melted cheddar, it rivals my other favorite happy hour burger special at McCormick & Schmick’s on J Street. And while the photo hardly does it justice, that whopping heap of delicious, slightly crispy shoestring fries was a killer bonus.
Hawaiian-style pulled pork sliders with coconut lime slaw and sweet potato fries
Again: the portions. For $5, this was a solid amount of food! The sweet Hawaiian buns, the juicy pulled pork and the deliciously sweet and tangy slaw offered an array of enticing flavors. The fries were served piping hot with a perfect dusting of sea salt. Yum!
Pizza bread with pepperoni, four cheeses and red sauce
I hate chewy bread. And when we ordered, I was admittedly the least excited about this dish. But any doubts lingering on the canvas of my mind were wiped clean upon first bite. The dough was delightfully light—like biting into a savory cloud, peppered with Parmesan. A great option for cranky kids or famished adults.
The can’t-miss Mel Ramos exhibit runs through October 21, but the Crocker Café’s Thursday Happy Hour is part of the museum’s permanent collection. At least for now.
Drink specials at the full bar offer another enticing reason to get out and soak up some local culture, too.
Crocker Café by Supper Club
Crocker Art Museum
216 O Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 808-1865