Café Allegro is not your typical museum restaurant. Located inside the Musical Instrument Museum, Café Allegro is a natural extension of the museum with an ever-evolving menu that is informed by the museum’s exhibits and public programs. For instance, when the museum featured the music of the Caribbean, chef Paul Steele and his team crafted a menu that reflected the culture of the Caribbean. “I research by reading books, searching for images, and identifying ingredients, and it snowballs from there,” he says. The Caribbean menu featured a jerk chicken flatbread, and a tripleta sandwich with pulled pork, ham, steak, crispy fried potatoes, shredded Gouda, and pickled red onion. Other themes have touched on the foods of France, Germany, Ireland, and Brazil. While the constant change keeps chef Steele cooking outside his comfort zone, Café Allegro must also serve families and guests seeking something more familiar. “Some days, two to three thousand guests walk through the museum, so we have core menu items like burgers, salads, a chicken sandwich, and a BLT with pork belly,” he says. The most challenging theme thus far has been Ireland, Steele says. “It’s difficult to mess with people’s familiar comfort foods, but as long as you use good technique and good ingredients, you can open their minds to something new,” he says. One of his favorite themes was France. Instead of the obvious French onion soup, he created a less familiar farmhouse soup with white beans, sausage, and fresh vegetables. As you can imagine, menu items rotate quickly, with experiences landing mid-month. Only open for lunch from 11 to 3 p.m., Café Allegro also stocks bottled cocktails and serves cocktails before the almost nightly concerts at the Museum. Café allegro 4725 E. MAyO BLvd., PhOEnIx MIM.OrG | 480.478.6000 EAT TO ThE BEAT EAT 2023 | phoenix new tiMes | May 18th - May 24th 37
