Giorgios Hospitality Group, caterer and owner of six Triangle-area restaurants, will direct the café at the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke starting July 10.
Owner Giorgios Bakatsias of Giorgios Hospitality Group and Dale Rey, the company's director of project development, have developed a menu of soups, salads and sandwiches, including vegetarian fare. For dessert, the café will feature fresh-baked cookies, homemade ice cream, fruit dishes and cupcakes. The cafe will adhere to the "slow food" philosophy -- - that is, simple, seasonal recipes with fresh ingredients that are organic and locally grown when possible.
"We are very pleased to partner with Giorgios Bakatsias for his strong vision, successful track record and many years of experience as a creative restaurateur," said Kimerly Rorschach, the Mary D.B.T. and James H. Semans Director of the Nasher at Duke. "Our museum visitors can continue to expect delicious food -- and also some lovely new ideas for the menu and special events."
On Thursday nights, when the café stays open until 8:30 p.m., Bakatsias said he plans to invite guest chefs from his other restaurants and from outside the Triangle to cook special menus. He is also exploring the idea of "tea time" with specialty teas, coffees and pastries every afternoon at the café.
"It's a grand opportunity," Bakatsias said. "I've always liked coming to the museum for its energy and excellence, and our menu and approach to plate presentation will complement the contemporary environment."
The café's previous chef, Amy Tornquist of Sage & Swift, is leaving the Nasher Museum Café to open two new restaurants in Durham. The café will close for nine days starting June 30 to prepare for the transition in management.
The Nasher Museum Café will be open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays for aperitifs and dinner; and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday for brunch. The museum is closed Mondays. Entrance to the Nasher Museum Café will not require purchase of admission to the museum. Museum members enjoy a 10 percent discount at the café.
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Giorgios Bakatsias of Giorgios Hospitality Group
A native of Greece, Giorgios Bakatsias brings more than 40 years of experience to the Nasher Museum Café. Since 1987, he has been the creative force behind more than 25 restaurants, food venues and gourmet markets. Giorgios Hospitality Group owns six restaurants, including Parizade, Verde, George's Garage and Vin Rouge in Durham; Spice Street and Bin Fifty-Four in Chapel Hill. He also owns G Loft Lounge in Durham. His consulting group helps to launch new restaurants -- most recently, Grasshopper in Durham and Jujube in Chapel Hill.
The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University
The Nasher Museum of Art is a major arts center on Duke's campus that serves the university, Research Triangle area and surrounding region with exhibitions and educational programs.
The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday; and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The museum is closed Mondays. Suggested admission is $5 adults, $4 for seniors and members of the Duke Alumni Association, $3 for non-Duke students with I.D. and free for children 16 and younger. Admission is free to Duke students, faculty and staff with Duke I.D. Admission is also free to Durham city residents who present a valid I.D. with proof of residency, courtesy of the Herald-Sun.
Additional information is available at www.nasher.duke.edu.