I remember when the museum opened there was a bit of a fuss about how it was organized. Seemingly, they'd gone to the people the various items came from and asked them about how they related to their lives, how things were used, etc., and organized them that way. Gasp! how un-scholarly!

I've had conversations with 3 people who were either involved with the design or have worked there. Sadly, it is not the house of happy. All three had uncharacteristically harsh things to say about the process and outcome. And have since quit.

On the other hand, the cafe enjoys unanimous acclaim. Weird that.

Someone upthread asked about the cafeteria in the East wing of the Museum of Modern Art. There are now two eateries down there. The cafeteria is vast and fairly popular. The 'bistro' has good food and a gelato that will kill you dead, it is so yummy.

The Smithsonian has done a great job with their concessions...not at all the hotdog and soda fare I used to expect from attractions. Except, of course, for that gross 'space ice cream' chemical contraption they sell. shudder

I'm envious of your access to the Nat'l Gallery of Art. I went to see this every day that I was in DC: [link] a quick run in and stand and look for awhile, then run out to another museum. There's a bistro next to the Nat'l Gallery that has good food. Too cold to be outside now, but it's in a gorgeous garden.

Oh yes, lovely.

And, yeah, the cafe that is next tot the north sculpture garden/ice rink (as opposed to the sculpture garden next to the Hirshhorn, which is my favorite) is nice. Small menu, but good actual food.

The National Gallery of Art's West Building also has a nice sit-down restaurant. All in all - cafeteria, bistro, etc. - much nicer than a lot of museums.

That's right! The one on the West side feels very 'ferny' to me. I've eaten there while a string quartet played nearby. Very nice.

Air & Space had a McDonald's at one time. Never ate there, and haven't been in that museum much since the metal detectors went in. (American Indian has metal detectors, too, but they just wave you through unless you're carrying a bag or package.)

Since I always carry a bag of some sort, I've gotten used to having it checked - I plop the open bag on the table and hold it open, the guard pokes into it with a stick, and then waves me through. It's fairly uncomplicated, if annoying.

When I was at Air&Space in 2003 there was a Boston Market franchise on the east side. It was pretty good.

OK, reading about the Native American cafe has given me a craving for buffalo meat.