New Offerings Enhance Dining Experience at Garden Cafes

Posted in Exhibitions, Holiday Train Show on December 22 2009, by Plant Talk

Also Savor Special Seasonal Holiday Fare and Treats

David Sanchez is General Manager of Abigail Kirsch at The New York Botanical Garden.

No doubt you’ve noticed a few changes in the Garden’s two cafes in recent weeks. We listened to you, our customers; incorporated your suggestions; and added some of our own thoughts on how to create a sense not of eating but of dining. As the new General Manager of Abigail Kirsch at The New York Botanical Garden, I bring the commitment of Abigail Kirsch to offering fresh food, great service, and appealing variety.

The transformation has included…

• Enhancing food choices and presentation
• Replacing the brand of coffee to freshly brewed Lavazza
• Introducing beer and expanding the wine selections
• Improving the quality of our snacks and “grab-and-go” items
• Adding healthier menu options for children such as fresh veggie sticks to replace French fries on request, hormone free milk, a selection of organic fruit juices, fresh fruit cups, and fresh yogurt parfaits with low fat granola
• Using “greener” serving options such as reusable flatware instead of plastic and compostable food packaging, cups, and napkins

The true measure of excellence and quality, however, is realized in the people and processes required to deliver great service. It’s all about relationships, especially those between our staff and our patrons. And so, our cafe associates, donned in new uniforms that reflect our cultural vision, are ever more attentive to your dining needs.

Of course we continue to offer a wide range of menu selections with daily specials: grilled items and hot entrees (in the Garden Cafe only), homemade soups and sandwiches, savory and sweet snacks, and an array of beverages. Vegetarian options are always available, and we incorporate fresh local and organic ingredients whenever possible.

We alter our menu to offer seasonal fare in keeping with the current Garden exhibition. To celebrate the Holiday Train Show, for instance, you can savor fresh hot chocolate with a warm harvest fruit cobbler in a streusel crumb crust topped with cinnamon Chantilly cream, hand-painted gingerbread and almond snowflake cookies, chocolate-dipped and drizzled gourmet pretzel rods, or fluffy cupcakes, including red devil, decadent chocolate, and vanilla bean.

Come visit us for a wonderful holiday dining experience.

Abigail Kirsch also provides full-service catering at The New York Botanical Garden for weddings, corporate functions, and other affairs in the beautiful Garden Terrace Room or The Lillian and Amy Goldman Stone Mill.