While the Brooklyn Academy of Music has
had its own cafe inside its second floor Lepercq Space for some
time, the food had previously not risen above the plastic-wrapped
sandwiches and brownies found at other theaters’ intermission
bars where the focus was, not incorrectly, on the performances
rather than the victuals.
Now BAM is offering another option for ticket-holders in search
of a great meal before a show. Great Performances, a full-service
catering and event-planning company based in Manhattan, has been
selected as the exclusive caterers for the Brooklyn Academy of
Music with the goal of making the food available inside BAM as
arresting as its urban-chic decor.
The change is in keeping with developments in the area around
BAM, which has blossomed into a foodie destination, a relief
to those who wanted to enjoy a dinner or cocktail with friends
before curtain time. Directly across the street from BAM’s entrance
is chef-owner Thomas Ferlesch’s Viennese bistro Thomas Beisl,
while just a stone’s throw away are chef-owner Ian Grant’s worldly
Restaurant Gia, chef Secundo Mendoza’s French-American Café
Lafayette and owner Fabrizio Di Mitri’s Italian eatery Scopello
among others.
Of course, Great Performances has obstacles that the restaurants
surrounding BAM don’t have. While cooking up a storm, the staff
must be aware of the fact that they’re in a performing arts institution.
Anything that disrupts a performance, like dropping a dish or
missing a curtain time, would have dramatic repercussions, to
say the least.
And the menu should be eclectic enough to please the very different
crowds attracted, for example, to the Wong Kar Wai film series
now at BAMcinematek, as well as the jazz, spoken word, rock,
pop and world beat live music performers on Friday and Saturday
nights at the BAMcafe, or the Tony Kushner play "Homebody/Kabul,"
now on stage in the Opera House.
Celebrating its 25th year, Great Performances is no stranger
to the unusual restrictions of dishing out entrees in performing
arts institutions. Recently the company was selected as Jazz
at Lincoln Center’s exclusive caterer for the Fredrick P. Rose
Hall as well as the planned Dizzy’s Coca Cola club, that will
be open 365 days a year.
Great Performances also regularly caters Brooklyn’s most fabulous
galas with clients ranging from the Brooklyn Hospital Center
– remember dancing in Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park or in the
outfield of Keyspan Park in Coney Island? – as well as celebrity-studded
affairs, like the nuptials of former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and
Judith Nathan.
Founder and CEO Liz Neumark says culture mavens can expect a
lot more from BAMcafe now that she’s waving the baton, including
more signature dishes, such as chef Carlos Gomez’s "BAM
chowder" and his scrumptious dessert, "Breakfast Bread
Pudding" [see dessert below], that doesn’t contain any bread
at all – just pastries.
"Our clients are no less demanding than those in a traditional
restaurant. They are always in the best restaurants," said
Neumark. "But while catering is a series of one-night stands,
here at BAM, this is a serious relationship. Consistency is the
biggest challenge."
At BAMcafe, the diners currently clamor for the wasabi panko
fried shrimp with spicy aioli appetizer and the traditional southern
fried chicken with garlic smashed new potatoes and mustard greens
or the Szechuan peppercorn-crusted ahi tuna with ginger-honey
risotto entrees. But Gomez also offers lighter fare like the
lobster club sandwich stuffed with large chunks of moist, fresh
lobster meat, or a Caribbean Caesar salad with flavor-packed
plantain croutons.
"It’s more than food. It’s hospitality, the service, the
experience and how it makes you feel," she says.
The challenge for Neumark’s staff at the BAMcafe is for the restaurant
to expand its reach beyond performance nights, because on those
nights, every table is full and reservations are available only
to BAM members. Getting the word out about the inspired chef
working the stove at the cafe and his multicultural menu is the
first step.
"Our affordable menu is competitive with the neighborhood.
It reflects who BAM is – be inclusive."
It’s also discriminating, because Neumark is serious about fresh
ingredients.
"I’m passionate about local Hudson Valley food. We have
relationships with local farmers. We attended a garlic festival
and it was unbelievable. I went on about the garlic for five
months. The staff thought I had lost it," said an unrepentant,
beaming Neumark. "That what’s nice about being a small company.
We can focus on quality – not just purveyors with best price."
Neumark’s relationships with her clients are just as important
as those with her suppliers.
"For us, it’s about relationships," said Neumark. "We
want [BAM] to be successful. It’s a recipe, not a formula."
BAMcafe is located in the Lepercq Space in the Brooklyn Academy
of Music, 30 Lafayette Ave. at Ashland Place in Fort Greene.
Accepts American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa. Entrees:
$8-$17. Open Thursday through Saturday, from 5 pm to 10:30 pm,
and for two hours prior to BAM productions in the Opera House
and the BAM Harvey Theater.
For more information about "BAMcafe Live" visit their
Web site at www.bam.org or call (718) 636-4100.
