Nothing New at the Kimbell Cafe and I Think that's Fine

I have had numerous discussions with people who frequently eat at the Kimbell Art Museum's Cafe and I hear the same moan, " The food never changes. It's always the same!" When I hear this comment I think of Eisenberg's Sandwhich Shoppe on Fifth Avenue in New York City. People go there for the same things: the tuna melt, the lime ricki, matzo ball soup and the pastrami. It is always the same all the time. If things are repeated well especially food I think its a great reason to go. However, the Kimbell Cafe serves its food in a wonderful, modern space which makes going there a real treat.

The Kimbell cafe has the wonderful quality of serenity, only a combination of light and air could provide such an environment. The architect, Louis Kahn, located the cafe adjacent to an open air courtyard enclosed by glass on all four sides. Unlike the nasty courtyard next door at the Cafe Modern, the courtyard allows diffuse sunlight to pour onto its wood floor giving the space an amber glow while wisps of sunlight seeps onto the concrete above. It's a simple space. The architectural gesture of form is direct and appropriate for a restaurant. And the choice of materials are spare without being greedy with its affect.