A recent media preview of the new Museum of Contemporary Art — set to make its grand debut this weekend at the corner of Euclid Avenue and Mayfield Road, right between Wade Oval and Little Italy — offered an appetizing look at a neighborhood on the brink of a cultural explosion. Sure, the $27-million MOCA is key to Uptown’s emergence as a don’t-miss destination. But what really got our juices flowing is the abundance of dining options set to emerge.
Just a short stroll across Toby’s Plaza, on the east side of the museum, you’ll soon find a lineup of new restaurants. Set to open just about any minute now, the pan-Asian Accent will be Scott and Brenda Kim’s newest venture. Jonathon Sawyer’s as-yet-unnamed Italian concept will open in the spring. They’ll both be joined later this year by another ABC Tavern . Panera, Jimmy John’s, and Chipotle also will plant their flags along Uptown Avenue.
But the most unique eatery may be the one inside MOCA, operated by Marigold Catering. Founder and owner Joan Rosenthal says that the Marigold kiosk inside the museum’s main lobby may be small, but it will feature an avant-garde menu full of big tastes.
This article appears in Sep 26 – Oct 2, 2012.