Inqlings: Starr adds Art Museum to his galaxy of eateries

Stephen Starr, who has 13 restaurants in town, will take over the restaurant, cafe, and catering operation at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and its branch across the street at the Perelman Center.

Starr's catering operation will replace New York-based Restaurant Associates, which held the contract for 16 years. When Starr's people get the keys Aug. 1, the restaurant will close for several weeks of renovations.

Starr said he had not selected a theme for the restaurant and cafe, but that menus would reflect gallery shows. Starr catering chief Simon Powles said Starr restaurant dishes would not be served at the museum.

On Monday, Starr and Art Museum president Gail Harrity would talk about Monet - but not money or the length of the deal. Typically, exclusive caterers pay the venue a fee and a percentage of sales. Powles said the Art Museum books about 170 events a year.

Harrity was quick to praise Restaurant Associates, but said "it was time for the museum to spread the net widely" in looking for a caterer. She called Starr's "diverse culinary themes a natural fit" with the museum's mission and collection.

Starr said he wanted to "add a fresh, noninstitution approach to the food, and give it the same care and sensibility we use in opening an independent restaurant."

Calling the Art Museum an "iconic institution," Starr said he was proud his company was chosen.

Starr Events, which entered off-premises catering only two years ago, also handles the food at such venues as the Barnes Foundation's museum in Merion, the Horticulture Center and Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Fairmount Park, Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton Township, N.J., and the Hub conference centers in Philly. It also runs Square Burger, a stand in Franklin Square.

Caterers covet museum work because of the events' size and prominence. Frog Commissary handles the Franklin Institute. Callahan Catering and Sage have the contracts at the Academy of Natural Sciences. Max & Me, a division of Libre Management, has the Please Touch Museum, National Constitution Center, and Independence Visitor Center. Restaurant Associates will retain its Philadelphia-area presence at the Kimmel Center, Academy of Music, Longwood Gardens, and the Art Alliance.

The next major deal in play is for the Barnes' new home on the Ben Franklin Parkway, which is to open next year. Spokesman Andrew Stewart said the contract was out to bid and a decision would be made in September.

Seeing stars