Comments on: Museum-going: An Insider’s Primer

By: jessica

jessica — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 23:51:12 +0000

The cafe is one of the best museum cafes I have been to. My boyfriend and I shared the soup- I think it was the kinoko ramen, and we were quite pleased and satisfied. Plus the prices were reasonable, especially compared to many museum cafes. The cafe is also a great space to relax in after checking out an exhibit.

Here’s a tip for those who are really pinching pennies: you can pack a lunch and eat in the park in front of the museum. But, if you want to jet out your door and get to the museum without thinking about making lunch, you can fill up at the cafe for under $10.

By: nico

nico — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 04:41:07 +0000

Thank’ee everyone for comments, good points all around (art+lunch=happy).

I second the recommendation for Thursday evenings, even if there aren’t special events (there often are).
Something to keep in mind is the advent of the new Thursday evening exhibition tour, 6.30PM, if you don’t want to do the docent thing just get here at 5PM and there’s a nice discount on admission.
I really envy the chance to be a visitor to the City, here’s hoping the weather’s clement to you!

By: namastenancy

namastenancy — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 01:01:23 +0000

I came by early today (by 10:30) to enjoy the new rotations of work by Chao Shun-An and revisit some of my old favorites. The museum was almost empty so I could really enjoy the contemplative elegance of the Cambodian statues on the 3rd floor and fantasize that the charming tea room on the 2nd is really mine. There were several pieces of pottery that I don’t remember seeing before and I always love visiting the Netsuke pieces. I even put a bit of money into the slot underneath the Ganesh statue at the top of the stairs, leading into the 3rd floor. It was simply wonderful to have all these riches to myself with time for an early lunch before the lunchroom got crowded.
Visit early, visit often – that’s my motto!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:17:48 +0000

OK, great! Thanks so much for the responses! We are very much looking forward to our visit!

By: bittermelon

bittermelon — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:51:39 +0000

Hi Sarah, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! Personally, I enjoy Thursday evening visits to museums, including ours. More mellow, nice vibe.

By: xensen

xensen — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:00:52 +0000

Sarah, while I'm not usually here on Thursday evenings my impression is that traffic is not too heavy at that time. Soon nico or edeb or bluehour or bittermelon will notice your comment and will be able to say more definitively, but I think that may be a very good time to visit.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:42:26 +0000

What is the traffic like on Thursday evenings? We will be visiting SF for the first time at the end of next week.

Thanks!

By: bittermelon

bittermelon — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:21:28 +0000

Ah yes, timely indeed. Thx for mentioning the new rotation too. You’ve made a compelling argument to entice early visitation.

By: cristina

cristina — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:15:38 +0000

Timely advice, I would also add that shows gets crazier near the end of the exhibition period, so if you turn up during the final week, the atmosphere may be more lively than meditative!

As a bonus, if you come early in the day, there are so many fab lunch options to explore afterward …