Centennial Park to get a restaurant next month
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Centennial Park will soon open a restaurant for visitors who want to sip coffee or grab a sandwich after strolling around The Parthenon.
State of plate: Croquet Cafe is set to open next month in the park's historic 1963 Croquet Clubhouse.
- The Centennial Park Conservancy will run the nonprofit cafe and proceeds will go toward park projects and Parthenon preservation.
What they're saying: The cafe will provide "a sustainable source of revenue that helps us continue investing in the beauty, programming and long-term vitality of Centennial Park," John Tumminello, president of Centennial Park Conservancy, said in a statement.
- "We are grateful to our partners in Metro Parks for trusting us to operate such a wonderful amenity to the Park."
The intrigue: Restaurateurs Joseph Bogan and Crystal De Luna-Bogan, founders of the Grilled Cheeserie, helped guide menu development and are planning to stay on as advisers as the cafe opens.
The menu: Classic staples will fill the menu, including salads, paninis, wraps, picnic boxes, baked goods, smoothies, soft-serve and coffee.
Follow the money: The Croquet Clubhouse was restored and renovated through a partnership between Metro Parks and the conservancy. More than $1.7 million in donations helped bankroll the project.
The details: Croquet Cafe is at 2530 Park Plaza on the park's north side. There will be indoor seating, covered patio dining and nearby picnic spots.
- An opening date in late August will be announced soon, according to a statement.
