The Contemporary Arts Center will launch its first pop-up restaurant next month as part of a new series that brings food back to its landmark Zaha Hadid–designed building.
Chef Steven Graham – owner of Shango’s Urban Taqueria and The Frank Neighborhood Deli & Grill – will lead The Frank at CAC, which opens Saturday, June 1 in the downtown museum’s main lobby.
“After partnering with Steven and team when Shango’s participated in CAC’s Cuisine Art Cocktails fundraiser last fall, we knew we wanted to keep working with Steven in more ways,” said Carolyn Hefner, CAC’s chief of external affairs. “Steven breathes life and joy into each space he is in and we cannot wait to have him bring that spirit into CAC’s Café space for the summer with a new option for breakfast and lunch in the heart of downtown.”
The Frank at CAC will serve a shortened version of the Price Hill location’s menu, offering breakfast items, coffee and sandwiches. The café will operate Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Graham said the menu “reflects the people we serve,” with a focus on scratch-made sandwiches, salads and soups for working people. At CAC, he trimmed the menu to fit the pace of downtown while maintaining its quality.
The pop-up will run through July 31.
“It’s truly a pleasure to collaborate with CAC,” said Graham, who attended the School of Creative and Performing Arts.
“As a former SCPA kid, I’ve had both an affinity for and an appreciation of art in every form,” he added. “There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about horizon lines, perspective and negative space when I’m plating food, so partnering with CAC is a natural fit.”
Creating opportunities for artists of all kinds
The CAC will continue the series with another pop-up in partnership with Rachel DesRochers of the Gratitude Collective. DesRochers, a longtime advocate for small business and wellness, founded Power to Pursue, Grateful Grahams, the Incubator Kitchen Collective and other ventures.
“We’re fortunate to have such a strong community of makers in this region and this partnership is another step of building opportunities for exposure and access to these food entrepreneurs,” said DesRochers. “I am so excited to pour into this iconic Cincinnati building and grateful to lean in to our mission of building community in a new way with the CAC.”
The Gratitude Collective is now accepting applications from vendors interested in future residencies. Selected entrepreneurs will receive mentorship and support to run their pop-up in the CAC café.
“We are thrilled to add to (our) history with a partnership that will establish a pipeline for food entrepreneurs,” Hefner said.
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