The Philadelphia Museum of Art opens a new Frank Gehry-designed restaurant this October. Stir is currently the only Gehry-designed restaurant offering fine dining to the public on the East Coast.

Stir is part of the museum’s overall facilities upgrade, slated for a 2020 completion. It features a distinct architectural style and a striking sculptural centerpiece extending across the main dining room ceiling. The dining is seasonal and local and planned as a culinary destination for museum-goers seeking fine dining alongside an appealing aesthetic, including an open kitchen. Stir features seating for 76 people.

“Here is the Stir menu in two words — local and inspired. Whether stopping in for brunch or lunch, we expect that our guests will be delighted with our curated culinary offerings — from small plates that include roasted Jersey peaches, seared Barnegat scallops and a farm-fresh corn bisque, to main dishes like a dry-aged farm stand burger topped with Lancaster cheddar, Kennett Square wild mushroom frittata and handmade torn pasta bursting with regional flavors. The beverage menu features a variety of signature mixed drinks, wines by the bottle and glass and a refreshing selection of local beers,” said Mark Tropea, executive chef, Stir.

Gehry’s touches are seen throughout the seating and tables, as well as the Douglas fir walls and ceilings and red oak flooring and the range of textures, including frosted glass, felt, steel and leather.

The overall museum plans include a separate dining establishment, a new cafeteria adjacent to Stir. Seating 160 guests, it’s much larger than the previous cafeteria and provides views across the Schuylkill River. Dining includes artisanal sandwiches, salads, brick-oven pizzas and specialty coffees. A new espresso bar additionally opens in 2019.

“As we envision the future visitor experience, we are delighted to be developing these exciting new dining options — for people who want a wonderful fine dining experience, for families with children looking for casual dining with lots of options, for people who are connecting with their friends over great coffee in an amazing space. We are delighted that in designing our dining facilities, Frank Gehry and his team have surpassed our expectations. We look forward to welcoming our visitors to these new spaces in just a few months,” said Gail Harrity, president and COO, Philadelphia Museum of Art.