Slate Cafe At the Museum‎

Not Your Ordinary Museum Food….

Latest visit: December 4, 2013
First visit: October 2, 2011

Can museum food be really good? You betcha.

In Albuquerque, there are two museum/cultural centers that serve examples of the best New Mexican food in the area: La Fonda del Bosque Cafe in the National Hispanic Cultural center [now closed] and the Pueblo Harvest Cafe in the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. The Pueblo Harvest Cafe also serves the best Native American food in the Duke City. Washington DC has the Mitsitam Cafe, located in the National Museum of the American Indian on the Mall, and it serves outstanding Native food from all of the Americas. The Slate Cafe At the Museum needn’t take a back seat to any of these. Good company to be among.

This is a small (7 – 8 tables, banco, and short counter) that is quite beautifully and colorfully decorated. Quiet, with excellent service. We tried:

Green Chile Chicken Soup

Creamy Green Chile Chicken Soup: chicken, green chile, celery, topped with tortilla strips. This soup is among the best of its variety to be found in the Duke City. Smooth and creamy texture, loaded with large-dice chicken breast, and subtly laced with finely diced roasted green chiles (no seeds!), The blend works beautifully, the piquancy is just right, and the appearance is lovely to behold. I would go to this museum cafe just for a bowl of this gem.

Portobello/Caprese Salad

The Portobello/Caprese Salad is outstanding.

Proprietor Myra Ghattas, owner of Slate Street Cafe, has recently opened Slate at the Museum. Everything is made from scratch, with many high quality ingredients from local farmers and producers. Dine at the cafe or take your food to go. Freshly made salads, sandwiches and other items are available for takeout. All pastries are house made, including the array of famous Slate Street Cafe gourmet cupcakes.

The quality of the food is in keeping with that of the exhibits in this little gem of a museum. Welcome, Slate.