At new Dealey Plaza cafe, tastelessness is on the menu
Posted Tuesday, Jul. 06, 2010
By BUD KENNEDY
bud@star-telegram.comDALLAS -- A new Dealey Plaza cafe combines the history of Dallas' most somber landmark with coffee and cupcakes.
Fine. Dallas County officials want more traffic for the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, and I can't think of a better way than to sell good coffee and cupcakes.
But -- about that menu.
Is Dealey Plaza really the best place to offer a Single Espresso Shot?
Or a Double Espresso Shot?
After all, diners in the new museum cafe are having sandwiches and coffee while overlooking the Elm Street scene of President John F. Kennedy's assassination in 1963.
A constantly looping video in the cafe shows scenes of the motorcade and Kennedy's visit to Fort Worth and Dallas.
Fort Worth high school dropout Lee Harvey Oswald is accused of shooting Kennedy from a perch on the sixth floor of the former Texas School Book Depository.
Would anyone in 1963 have imagined that someday a corner cafe there would serve diners Sixth Floor Signature Tea?
Museum Executive Director Nicola Longford said officials approved the menu of sandwiches, salads, chocolates, cupcakes and drinks without thinking about the word shot.
It's repeated on the espresso menu 10 times.
"There was absolutely no intent to reference the events," said Longford, who grew up in England and came to Dallas five years ago from Williamsburg, Va.
"We try very hard to be in good taste and dignified and not stoop down to the nasty talk and salubrious elements."
But Longford defended the Sixth Floor tea.
"While a tragic event occurred here, we are broader than that, and we want people to think of our positive mission," she said.
La Duni Latin Kitchen bakes the pastries, including a cuatro leches cupcake.
"Everything on that menu was checked very closely by a committee," La Duni owner Espartaco Borga said.
"Nobody ever thought about a shot reminding people of the assassination."
The Sixth Floor wants more local traffic as the 50th anniversary nears in 2013, Longford said.
The cafe, 501 Elm St., opens weekdays at 7 a.m. and weekends at 9 a.m. It stays open until late afternoon.
"We want to create a more positive experience to draw people downtown and help improve this historical area," Longford said.
"Our mission is to sustain the history of President Kennedy's visit and give hope to future generations."
She said officials will take another look at the menu.
Some espresso might wake them up.
Posted: Fri May 14, 2010 11:48 am