This seems too good to be true; I’m waiting for them to Shut It Down, as all good things eventually must.
Did you know that you could just wander up to the de Young Museum cafe, without purchasing a ticket for the museum? It is my new go-to eating spot when we’re at Golden Gate Park. It’s just so freaking civilized.
The cafe has a surprisingly good menu (we had burrata with cured pears at one lunch, and just had salmon, beet, and pistachio salad yesterday), as well as pre-packaged sandwiches and salads if you’re in a rush. There’s wine and coffee and a variety of sodas, all served in glasses. Also, a complete children’s menu with mac n’ cheese, chicken nuggets, hot dogs, etc.
While you wait for your lunch to arrive, you can wander around the sculpture garden, Japanese Maples and Gingko trees. The view is framed by the peaked roofs of the Japanese Tea Garden next door. After lunch, you can either head into the museum and check out some of the lobby exhibits, or head to the restrooms and gift shop. We chose to go to the Turrell Skyspace exhibit a short walk from the gardens. All free! (Except the food, of course.)
It’s just a lovely break if you’ve been bicycling in the park or rowing boats at Stow Lake, or if your parents are visiting and want a proper lunch at the park, or if you brought a picnic but the ground is a little too soggy for comfort.
We pretty much take everyone there now, and everyone is always completely delighted.
