Get ready, foodies and art lovers! A brand-new cafe is opening its doors at the Wichita Art Museum this week, promising a delightful fusion of art and culinary experiences. But what's on the menu? And what makes this cafe so special? Let's dive in!
Eat at The Wichita Art Museum, as it's officially known, has been quietly testing the waters for about a month. It started with the janitorial staff, then expanded to museum employees and the board. Now, after a successful soft launch, the public is invited to experience the cafe's offerings.
Owner Bill Rowe, also of Blue Moon Caterers, is at the helm of this exciting new venture. The grand opening is scheduled for Wednesday morning, with the first official diners welcomed around 12:30 p.m. Regular hours will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Plus, the cafe plans to open during WAM Nights, the museum's popular after-hours events held on Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m.
Rowe, who previously owned well-loved Wichita restaurants like Red Bean’s Bayou Grill and Willie C’s Cafe, is thrilled with the cafe's transformation.
"I love the space. The space is really beautiful," Rowe said.
And the menu? It's a culinary masterpiece! Expect a range of appetizers, salads, soups (including Willie C’s famous potato soup), and sandwiches. But the true stars of the show are the flatbreads. Rowe mentioned that they spent a considerable amount of time perfecting the flatbread dough using a 72-hour cold fermentation process and state-of-the-art oven technology.
"It’s the best flatbread in Wichita. It’s amazing," Rowe said.
The menu also features tempting desserts, including a lemon sugar cookie, a chocolate chip and sea salt cookie, and Willie C’s Willie Wonder, a layered chocolate dessert served with ice cream.
Visitors can also enjoy coffee, espresso drinks, teas, and refreshers. Brunch lovers, rejoice! The cafe will offer quiche Lorraine and avocado toast.
Ordering is made easy with kiosks, the register, or a QR code. Those who use the QR code will receive a text when their food is ready for pickup. Otherwise, staff will deliver food to the tables. Alcohol will be added to the menu once the liquor license is issued.
The cafe space, previously occupied by Katharine Elder’s 1400 by Elderslie restaurant, which closed in January 2024, received a refresh with new paint, signage, and wall vinyl. The private dining space, a feature since 2003, remains intact.
"I think it would be perfect if someone wanted to have a serious business meeting or something. We have that room, and we will do table service in there," Rowe said.
Blue Moon Caterers, established in Wichita since 2002, has been handling catering and bar service for WAM. The goal is to make EAT a welcoming space for art museum visitors, families, kids, and residents of the Riverside neighborhood.
But here's where it gets controversial... Will this new cafe live up to the hype? What do you think about the menu? Share your thoughts in the comments below! And don't forget to check out the menu:
- Appetizers
- Salads
- Soups (including Willie C’s recipe for potato soup)
- Sandwiches
- Flatbreads (including steak and Gorgonzola, and grilled chicken with Thai sauce)
- Desserts (lemon sugar cookie, chocolate chip and sea salt cookie, and Willie C’s Willie Wonder)
- Coffee and espresso drinks, teas and refreshers
- Brunch items: quiche Lorraine and avocado toast
What are your expectations for the new cafe? Do you think it will become a new favorite spot in Wichita?
