Stir at the Philadelphia Museum of Art proudly announces the launch of two tasting menu experiences inspired by the upcoming exhibition, Mary Cassatt at Work. From May 18th to September 9th, 2024, patrons can immerse themselves in the captivating world of Mary Cassatt’s artistry while engaging the senses with French-inspired, multi-course tasting menus designed to complement and reflect Mary Cassatt’s body of work.
Mary Cassatt, a revered figure among the French Impressionists and a native of Pennsylvania, challenged societal norms with her groundbreaking works. The Mary Cassatt at Work exhibit promises a profound exploration of 130 diverse pieces, unveiling Cassatt’s evolution as an artist and her dedication to the craft. This exhibition coincides with an extensive technical study of the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s remarkable Cassatt collection, offering fresh insights into her innovative techniques and materials.
As an extension of this exhibit, guests are invited to make a reservation at Stir to enjoy French-inspired, seasonally focused dishes created by Executive Chef Hoon Rhee and his team.
The tasting menu will offer an array of meticulously curated dishes inspired by Mary Cassatt’s background and artistic legacy. Highlights include Pommes Soufflé with royal ossetra caviar, Duck Pâté en Croûte with foie gras, and Trout with charred onion petals and white tea beurre blanc. Additionally, an afternoon tea menu priced at $45 per person promises a delightful selection of savory and sweet treats, including Gougères, Seasonal Macarons, and Jamon Beurre.
For the Afternoon tea menu, courses will be served on specially commissioned handmade teacups, saucers and stands from an ongoing partnership with Stir and the ceramics students at Arcadia University. Following the success of a debut partnership surrounding 2023’s The Shape of Time: Korean Art After 1989 Exhibit, Arcadia University students- under the instruction ceramicist Gregg Moore- partnered with Stir to create functional art as bespoke pieces for the restaurant. The mis-matched sets are inspired by Mary Cassatt’s very own china, of which her family shared photos of with the team. They feature a palette of colors reminiscent of those used in Impressionism, specifically from some of the elements in Cassatt’s work.
The tasting menu for this experience will be offered at $135/person and includes the following courses: (tasting menu will be available alongside Stir’s a la carte menu)
Pommes Souffle– royal ossetra caviar, onion ash, smoked creme fraiche
Toasted Bone Marrow Brioche– quenelles of butter (truffle, chamomile, nori)
Duck– pâté en croute, foi gras
Trout– trout mousse quenelle, charred onion petals, white tea beurre blanc, mustard frill emulsion, beet glaze, smoked eel crumble
Baba auh Rhum– cream diplomat, buttermilk whey rum syrup
Mary Cassatt Truffles
An tea menu will be offered at $45/ person and will include the following: (Please note: This menu will be available for the duration of Stir’s operating hours)
Selection of Blooming Tea
Savory & Sweet Tiered Stands
Gougères Seasonal Macarons Madeleines– Petit Fours
Jamon Beurre– jambon de Paris, cultured butter
Cucumber sandwich– whipped Chevre, strawberries, milk bread
These tasting menus seamlessly complement Stir’s regular offerings and do not require separate booking. Stir operates daily from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, with closures on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Nestled within the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art, Stir provides a unique dining experience where art and cuisine harmoniously converge. Designed by Frank Gehry, Stir’s intimate setting beneath the awe-inspiring wooden canopy known as The Nest sets the stage for Chef Hoon Rhee’s culinary masterpieces. With a fusion of East Asian and Nordic influences, Chef Rhee’s cuisine celebrates locally sourced seasonal ingredients with unparalleled creativity and finesse.
Admission to the museum is required for dining at Stir. Reservations can be made online at https://philamuseum.org/visit/dining#stir-restaurant.
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