With just one look at the outside of The Art & Design Café you know you are in for something interesting.  The edifice is covered in bold striking colors and patterns. If you miss the building, there’s also a matching delivery truck in the parking lot.  After walking in you will realize that it is very Da Da-ist where everything is art that is for sale.  

The Art & Design Café started out as a design firm that eventually morphed into a café and furniture store and art gallery. This is the place where you are able to not only eat a wonderful steak but watch a musical at the same time in the privacy of your own dining area.  They feature about ten indoor tables and some are sectioned off with sheer curtains or Princess Canopies giving you and your dining party the most interesting and semi-secluded dining experience in town.  Outside, they have four tables for dining alfresco when the weather is just right.  At the door you will be greeted by a fierce Linda Evangelista-esque mannequin and inside by their unofficial Mascot Roz, complete with dangling cigarette, blue eye shadow, and attitude.  Beware of the Liza Lamp! 

As you are seated, you will begin to notice the eclectic style of the entire gallery.  Bold and Colorful is their unofficial theme and everything from the food to the service seems to be based on that belief. We ordered the Bruschetta as an Appetizer. Next time, we will try the Tomato & Mozzarella Caprice. The Bruschetta was thick, chunky and included sliced garlic on six pieces mo of toast—perfect for sharing. They also bring out a tray of assorted bread and a garlic and herb dipping oil that is amazing. With most meals at The Art & Design Café you will also receive a side salad, but we are not talking Iceberg Lettuce and a slice of tomato, you will get a wild array of mixed lettuce, large grape tomatoes, green, red, and yellow peppers, and julienne shredded carrots. And just so you know, keep reading, the best is yet to come. 

The dinner menu at The Art & Design Café offers a lot of wonderful variety. The Romanian Skirt Steak is amazing, especially when you consider that you are not in a Steak House. If you order the sautéed spinach and mashed potatoes as sides—you are in for some garlic love!  If that is not your path then one of the daily specials might be to your liking.  The night we dined, there was a Dill Chicken special that was delightful as well as flavorful. The chicken was accompanied by cooked carrots with mashed butter squash over the top.  They also feature a Rack of Lamb from New Zealand, Veal or Chicken Piccata with a white wine sauce, lemon and capers, Grilled Salmon, Talapia, or Mahi Mahi.  Not in the mood for meat?  The Chef will dice up a Signature Salad based on your favorite artist:  Picasso’s Chicken Caesar Salad, Van Gogh’s Spinach-Mushroom Salad, Monet’s Vegetarian Fruit Salad, and many more.   You can even design your own salad!  

Art & Design Café is the perfect place to take someone who will enjoy a bit of the odd and interesting, the perfect place to go when you need a topic to talk about, or a creative place to host a party.  It’s also the perfect date place and if the art does not get your dinner companion talking, the delicious gourmet food will.