Good news for art lovers who also enjoy, you know, eating. MoMA PS1 in Long Island City, Queens, is about to unveil Symone, a brand-new French African cafe from chef DeVonn Francis. It's slated to open its doors in early October, but if you're feeling impatient (and hungry), you can snag a preview of the menu at Printed Matter's NY Art Book Fair, running September 24–27. Because apparently, art books and curry chicken salad sandwiches just go together.
This isn't just any museum cafe, though. Symone marks Francis's first full-fledged restaurant, offering daytime dining that mirrors the museum's hours. The menu is a delightful mashup of French African influences, seasonal ingredients, and a generous nod to Francis's own Jamaican and Caribbean roots. If his past venture, Yardy World (known for its immersive Caribbean dining experiences), is any indication, this isn't going to be your average grab-and-go.
Expect "elevated comfort foods" that shift with the seasons. Think curry chicken salad sandwiches, classic patties, soft serve (because why not?), and cod and rice porridge. Plus, a rotating lineup of pastries, because variety is the spice of life, especially when it involves butter and sugar. Francis, ever the visionary, believes that good food transforms a museum into an even stronger cultural magnet, giving people a reason to keep coming back. And the name? Symone is a tribute to his niece, symbolizing the comfort and familiarity that comes with a beloved place.
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The dining area itself is getting a glow-up from architecture firm Marsollier Villacorta. They're peeling back the layers to highlight the PS1 building's historic details, all while infusing the space with warm, natural materials. Outdoor dining on the terrace will also be an option, which, if you think about it, is perfect for contemplating modern art while enjoying a perfectly flaky pastry.
MoMA PS1 has a bit of a legacy when it comes to its culinary residents. From 2012 to 2019, it housed M. Wells Dinette, a clever spin-off of a local diner that The New York Times once lauded for perfectly fitting the neighborhood, the museum's patrons, and its adventurous spirit. After that came Mina's, serving Greek-inspired fare from artist-favorite caterer Mina Stone, which closed in 2023. The space has been a cafe since, offering the usual suspects.
Connie Butler, director of MoMA PS1, is clearly thrilled to have Francis back in the fold, calling him a distinguished chef who masterfully blends food with storytelling. She's looking forward to a new era where audiences, neighbors, and staff can gather at Symone for memorable meals and, perhaps, a few new connections. Which, in a world of grab-and-go, sounds pretty refreshing.
