Opening Menu Announced for Arena Theatre Cafe, 10/23

D.C.-area theatergoers and foodies will delight in the savory options José Andrés Catering with Ridgewells has assembled for the opening menu of Next Stage by José Andrés, the new cafe featured within Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Next Stage by José Andrés will offer several cafe menu items that will change throughout the season based on the settings of Arena Stage's productions, at the same time offering familiar, affordable and easy-to-manage fare delivered with great finesse. Next Stage by José Andrés will hold its official opening on the same day as Arena Stage during the Homecoming Grand Opening Celebration October 23, 2010. The cafe and concessions will also be open to patrons attending the Oklahoma! preview October 22.
 
"When people come to the Mead Center, they will be able to enjoy the brilliant culinary talents of José Andrés Catering with Ridgewells through the food at concessions as well the full selection of theatrical food in the new cafe," says Artistic Director Molly Smith. "The creation of this unusual menu responds to the productions on stage. I am pleased that José Andrés, a chef whose work defines creativity, has created this menu. It is focused around his talent as an internationally recognized chef and the productions audiences will see at Arena Stage."
 
The cafe and cafe bar will be open two and a half hours before any curtain time, while the lighter fare at the concessions will be open 30 minutes prior to curtain and during intermission. At this time, the cafe will be closed after shows but concessions will remain open for one hour.
 
Guests are welcome to pre order intermission snacks and beverages ahead of time by contacting 202-600-4100 or e-mailing cafe@arenastage.org.
 
Next Stage by José Andrés features a full menu including easy-to-order hot soups, salads, paninis, entrées, side dishes and desserts; Grab and Go options featuring cool, quicker selections including sandwiches, salads, snacks and smaller desserts; in addition to pre-order items such as pre fix dinner packages or box lunches (full menus detailed below).
 
"My team and I wanted to do something special at the new cafe for Arena Stage," says Andrés. "With Next Stage, we not only honor the astonishing efforts by Arena in its campaign to build the new center, but we also celebrate the performances that change throughout the year by creating menus that draw inspiration from the places and characters that fill each theater."
 
NEXT STAGE BY JOSÉ ANDRÉS
Inspired by the great American musical Oklahoma! and every tongue confess, set in Boligee, Alabama
 
SOUPS........$5
State Bird Wild Turkey Noodle
Free range turkey, carrots, onion and celery

Onion Soup
Locally brewed beer, sweet Vidalia onion and gruyere crouton
 
SALADS
Cardini Salad........$$8
Classic Caesar salad with romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese and bread crisps

Fried Chicken Salad........$10
Crispy chicken, corn, shredded cabbage
 
Thai Salad........$10
Poached shrimp, snow peas, shaved carrots, watercress, peanuts, scallions, chilies and spicy sweet dressing

Cowboy Caviar Salad........$10
Marinated black-eyed peas, peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes
 
PANINIS........$10
Chuckwagon
Mortadella sausage, ham, salami and Swiss

Tomato Mozzarella
Sundried tomato, buffalo mozzarella and hazelnut basil pesto
 
ONE ENTREE WITH SIDES........$19
ENTRÉES
Bison Short Ribs
Slow cooked in a red wine sauce

Wild Turkey Meatballs
Ground turkey, gravy and fried sage
 
SIDES
Potato Puree
with American Idaho potatoes

Oklahoma Succotash
Black-eyed peas, okra, squash and bacon

Yellow Hammer Cornbread
with honey butter
 
DESSERT........$5
Pecan Pie
Roasted pecans and brown sugar
 
Apple Charlotte
Apple compote and Conecuh Ridge Whiskey reduction
 
GRAB AND GO
For patrons not seeking a hot meal, a stand-alone cooler for quick dining has the following available.
 
SANDWICHES
Smoked Salmon........$10
Dill cream cheese, capers, sliced egg and fresh herbs on black olive foccacia

Guacamole Sandwich........$8
Grilled avocado, tomato, red onion, cilantro, queso fresco and lime on toasted ciabatta

Walnut Chicken Sandwich........$10
Diced chicken confit in walnut cilantro pesto with shaved romaine and pickled onion on raisin walnut bread
 
COMPOSEd SalaDS
Robert H. Cobb on Paper........$8
Iceberg lettuce, tomato, bacon chicken breast, hard-boiled egg, avocado and Roquefort cheese wrapped in rice paper

"Chopped" Fruit Salad........$8
Jicama root, mango, cucumbers, pineapple, queso fresco and spicy sour orange dressing

Jose's Tuna Salad........$8
Piquillo pepper, preserved tuna Mayonnaise, shallots and hard-boiled egg
 
Asparagus Salad........$10
Grilled asparagus, shaved jamon, seasonal citrus and frisee
 
SNACKS
Crudités with Bagna Cauda........$6
Fresh vegetables with an anchovy dipping sauce

Charcuterie and Baguette........$10
Chorizo 'Palacios'
a slightly spicy cured pork sausage seasoned with pimento and garlic
Lomo Embuchado 'Palacios'
cured pork loin with smoky flavor and cured olives

Cheese and Fruit........$6
Parmesan and pear
Stilton and apple
 
DESSERT
Yogurt Parfait........$5
Seasonal fruit and granola
 
Salt and Pepper Chocolates........$2
Bittersweet tablets with maldon sea salt and pink peppercorn
 
Freshly Baked Cookies........$3
Oatmeal (no raisin) or Chocolate
 
The following are pre order options requiring 48 hours advance reservation. Reserving in advance for groups of 20 or more is highly encouraged. A maximum reservation size of 100 guests is cordially accepted depending on availability by contacting cafe@arenastage.org/202-600-4100.

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