The Crocker Art Museum announced today that Patrick and Bobbin Mulvaney, owners of Mulvaney’s Building & Loan, will operate the cafe at the newly expanded museum when it opens to the public next month. The Crocker Cafe will feature self-serve, fast-casual and full-service dining—the last by reservation only. Patrick Mulvaney, known for his commitment to local farmers and producers, said he’ll use in the cafe the same local products he uses in his restaurant, including Bledsoe pork, Del Rio Botanical greens and Old Soul coffee. Here are some dishes from a sample menu: house-smoked salmon with Irish brown bread (a signature dish at Mulvaney’s B&L), grilled Atlantic salmon Caesar salad, housemade agnolotti filled with Brentwood corn, and chili verde on soft polenta. The cafe will be open to the public; you won’t have to purchase a museum admission to get in. In other news, Culinary Specialists, Mulvaney’s catering operation, will be the museum’s in-house caterer for the Crocker Ball and events such as for weddings. Lial Jones, the museum’s director, said she’s excited about the Mulvaneys’ selection. “I care a lot about food and wine,” she said. “It’s important that we have good food.” The Crocker will reopen on Oct. 10.
