Enjoy Culture and Cocktails at 3 Museum Cafes

Jan 24th 2011 8:15AM / by Nanette Wiser

Big city style is now showing here with the debut of another restaurant (Cafe Galat) that lets you celebrate art and dine on it. Got guests? Show off the city's growing cultural scene at these attractions. You can brunch at 400 Beach and visit the Chihuly exhibit (Morean Arts Center's fab downtown addition), enjoy a panini at Glazer's Children Museum in Tampa, and latte at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota.

Cafe Gala, Dalí Museum: Whether you have a museum ticket or just want to dine out, you can enjoy this fabulous indoor/outdoor bayview cafe, thanks to restaurateur Steve Westphal (The Pub, 400 Beach, The Hanger, Parkshore Grill) and PG's Chef Tyson Grant's sandwiches, wraps, salads, desserts inspired by Dalí's Spain. Traditional Spanish omelettes (potato and onion, smoked ham and artichoke), smoked ham and artichoke salad, roasted pork, garlic and piquillo pepper wrap and Spanish coffee cake will satiate all cravings. Beer and wine are available. The cafe is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Other Dalí fun includes the expanded gift shop, yoga Sundays, the Zodiac social group, and "Dillydally with Dali," which is free for kids on weekends.
1 Dali Blvd., St. Petersburg; 727-823-3767
MFA Cafe, Museum of Fine Arts: Lunch in the airy glass aerie or groove to jazz over dinner Friday from 6pm to 9pm. Casual bistro fare features yummy panini (roasted herb turkey with dried fruit jam/basil aioli, Croque madame, chargrilled chicken scalloppini) and seasonal salads, such as bistro steak with Spanish blue cheese and smoked duck with crisp apple and walnuts in a lemon champagne vinaigrette. Beer and wine are available.
255 Beach Drive N.E., St. Petersburg; 727-896-2667
Sono Café, (Tampa Museum of Art): Open daily at 11, this delightful café overlooks the river and serves wine and beer. Operated by Mise en Place, this slow food eatery is a garden of Eden in downtown Tampa that serves creative panini, such as grilled chicken with goat cheese and fresh basil, speck ham with gorgonzola, parma ham with sun-dried tomato, buffalo mozzarella, and arugula as well as salads, espresso, gelato and dolce.
2306 N. Howard Ave.; 813-274-8130