The American Museum of Natural History and Restaurant Associates (RA) have opened Gold Nugget Café in conjunction with the new exhibition Gold on view at the Museum from November 18, 2006, through August 19, 2007. The exhibition explores the historical fascination with this enduring icon of wealth, beauty, and power.

The Gold Nugget Café will offer hearty dishes inspired by the rugged prospectors of the 1849 gold rush at Sutter's Mill in California. Dishes are influenced by original mining camp recipes from the Pacific Northwest and prepared with a contemporary flair. Delicious and satisfying recipes from the Old West were as pioneering as the people who feasted on them. Gold Nugget Café offerings include a "rich" Miner's chicken stew, tasty buffalo chili, and golden creamy California harvest corn chowder. For authenticity and in keeping with the spirit of the exhibition, free-range buffalo from humane farms, environmentally sustainable Alaskan seafood, and organic greens and vegetables are included in the recipes.

Located on the fourth floor, the Gold Nugget Café is open daily from 11:00 a.m. until 4:45 p.m., from November 14, 2006 through April 30, 2007.

GOLD NUGGET CAFÉ MENU

ENTREES

Alaskan seafood and Yukon potato cakes includes Alaskan salmon, snow crab, and shrimp served with wild rice pilaf and a garlic and chive aioli

Miner's chicken stew features braised chicken with a wild mushroom and pearl onion ragout served over wild rice pilaf

Golden chicken nuggets, breaded chicken nuggets that are a favorite with children

SOUPS

Golden creamy California harvest corn chowder includes fresh corn, onion, celery, shallots, herbs, light cream, and homemade vegetable stock

Buffalo chili features tender, braised free-range buffalo with caramelized onions and sweet peppers served with crispy cornbread

SALADS

Oregon pink shrimp salad with golden beets and crisp watercress, served with your choice of dressing

Yukon west mushroom salad with fresh field greens and tangy hazelnut vinaigrette

DESSERTS

Golden apple tart
Yukon berry parfait
Gold chocolate bars
Golden rice krispie treats