– The DMA Is Among the First to Feature the Mediterranean Dish Socca in Dallas In the Museum’s First Al Fresco Restaurant –
Dallas, TX, June 2, 2016 – The Dallas Museum of Art announced today the public opening on June 7 of its new al fresco dining experience, Socca Mediterranean Cafe. The Museum’s new outdoor food pavilion is located in the recently unveiled Eagle Family Plaza at the DMA’s north entrance and is a complement to the DMA Cafe, located inside the Museum’s Atrium. Local chef and menu consultant Sharon Hage worked with the DMA to develop the concept.
Featuring food options inspired by Mediterranean cuisine, Socca is among the first restaurants to bring this dish by the same name to Dallas. Popular throughout the Mediterranean coast, socca is a savory chickpea crêpe found in southern France and is a specialty of Nice. The entrée, which is naturally gluten free, is similar in appearance to a golden crêpe, and is perfect for topping with fresh salads or enjoying au naturel. Growing in appeal in the U.S., socca has recently been featured in such national press outlets as In Style magazine and the New York Times and on several well-read food blogs.
The DMA restaurant Socca will feature the classic crêpe made from finely ground chickpea flour and prepared in an imported Italian oven with Texas extra virgin olive oil and a bit of black pepper. The crêpe will be topped with contemporary, Mediterranean-inspired ingredients, from the savory—burrata, prosciutto, roast chicken and artichoke salad—to the sweet—house-ground almond butter with bananas and local honey. In addition to this quick and healthy lunch or afternoon snack, Socca will offer shareable platters of artisan cured meats and local cheese, and a signature hummus with marinated olives and crisp veggies. Additional bites, inspired by the Mediterranean, are also available. Beverages include homemade seasonal fruit limeade and a selection of wines and local beers served on tap. Socca will be open during regular Museum hours.
The DMA partnered with Hage to help see this new dining experience to fruition. Hage has a number of years of experience working as a consultant, restaurateur and chef. She owned and operated Dallas’s York Street Restaurant for nearly a decade. Her work has earned her five consecutive James Beard Award nominations and national recognition as a pioneer of the Texas farm to table movement. Hage served as an integral part of the menu creation, maintaining the integrity of the dish while developing a variety of appetizing options.
Socca Mediterranean Cafe is located in the Museum’s new Eagle Family Plaza just outside the DMA’s Atrium entrance. The north entrance was made possible by the generosity of benefactors Jennifer and John Eagle, who donated $3 million for the renovations, and the Nancy B. Hamon Estate, which gave an additional gift of $1.3 million for the project, for a total contribution of $4.3 million. The north entrance was designed by Dallas-based landscape architectural firms Studio Outside and Hocker Design Group and local architectural firm Morrison Dilworth + Walls. The renovation of Eagle Family Plaza was completed by Byrne Construction. Landscaping was installed and will be maintained by Southern Botanical.
About the Dallas Museum of Art
Established in 1903, the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) is among the 10 largest art museums in the country and is distinguished by its commitment to research, innovation and public engagement. At the heart of the Museum and its programs is its global collection, which encompasses more than 23,000 works and spans 5,000 years of history, representing a full range of world cultures. Located in the nation’s largest arts district, the Museum acts as a catalyst for community creativity, engaging people of all ages and backgrounds with a diverse spectrum of programming, from exhibitions and lectures to concerts, literary events, and dramatic and dance presentations. Since the Museum’s return to free general admission in 2013, the DMA has welcomed more than two million visitors, and enrolled more than 100,000 people in DMA Friends, a free program available to anyone who wishes to join focused on active engagement with the Museum. For more information, visit DMA.org.
The Dallas Museum of Art is supported, in part, by the generosity of DMA Members and donors, the citizens of Dallas through the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs, and the Texas Commission on the Arts.