Newly Renovated Zinnia Cafe in Chrysler Museum of Art Opens to Public

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Norfolk, Va. (January 24, 2023) Zinnia, a newly renovated cafe and events venue, officially opens its doors to the public today. Formerly Wisteria, the cafe is located within the Chrysler Museum of Art at One Memorial Place in Norfolk, VA.

After an extensive remodeling, the 42-seat restaurant now features a striking, contemporary design; dedicated restrooms; modern, comfortable furnishings; and an impressive, new bar top. It also features a casual, elegant exterior terrace, which seats an additional 42 guests for al fresco dining in Mary’s Garden—a beautiful outdoor area beloved by museum visitors and neighbors.

During museum hours (Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm, Sunday, noon-5pm), Zinnia provides a serene space to enjoy a quick lunch, snack, or beverage from the grab-and-go case or a made-to-order coffee drink from the bar.

From Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-2pm, and Sundays, noon-2 pm, guests are invited to sit and savor a full-service dining experience complete with curated wines and local craft brews. Zinnia’s lunch menu features modern, regional cuisine, with each item carefully crafted to highlight top-quality, local and seasonal ingredients in unique and innovative ways.

The kitchen is led by Chef Chris Young, whose career in the food and hospitality industry spans several decades. Chef Young’s wealth of experience includes over 20 years owning and operating a catering business and food truck, as well as launching several successful restaurant concepts throughout Virginia Beach; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Milford, Delaware.

Also at the helm is General Manager Stephen Brown, who has led the operation for five years and was previously a server at the original museum cafe prior to the Chrysler Museum’s renovation in 2013.

Zinnia is a part of the TASTE Family of Businesses, which also includes nine TASTE locations, TASTE Catering & Events, TASTE.Online, Rowena’s, and the TASTE Bakehouse.

“We are beyond thrilled to introduce this new restaurant concept and events space to Coastal Virginians and visitors from outside the region,” said Jon Pruden, president and CEO of the TASTE Family of Businesses. “We want Zinnia to be not only a great restaurant, but also an exciting way to connect the greater community with the Arts in general and the Chrysler Museum in particular.”

“We are excited to once again offer full-service dining to Chrysler Museum visitors,” said Colleen Higginbotham, Deputy Director for Visitor Experience at the Chrysler Museum of Art. “With the visitor experience in mind, this beautiful new amenity allows for friends and families to gather, extending their visits to spend more time enjoying all the Museum has to offer,” Higginbotham added.

Zinnia will be available for private event rentals starting in March. As an events venue, Zinnia accommodates around 75 people inside and an additional 50 people outside. Interested clients can initiate a booking inquiry by visiting Zinnia’s website, www.zinniava.com.

The cafe will also host special ticketed events—including one-off, prix-fixe meals; exclusive wine dinners; and guest chef pop-ups—throughout the year. Information about ticketed public events will be posted to Zinnia’s website.

To connect with Zinnia Cafe & Events, visit www.zinniava.com or call 757-333-6291.

ABOUT THE TASTE FAMILY OF BUSINESSES

The TASTE Family of Businesses has been a specialty food and hospitality leader in Southeastern Virginia since 1973. With ten restaurants, a full-service catering division, and taste. online e-commerce, its team of over 600 is dedicated to a single mission: “Cultivating Community through the Good Life.” Visit www.tasteva.com to learn more.

ABOUT THE CHRYSLER MUSEUM OF ART

The Chrysler Museum of Art is one of America’s most distinguished mid-sized art museums, with a nationally recognized collection of more than 30,000 objects, including one of the great glass collections in America. The core of the Chrysler’s collection comes from Walter P. Chrysler, Jr., an avid art collector who donated thousands of objects from his private collection to the Museum. The Museum has growing collections in many areas and mounts an ambitious schedule of visiting exhibitions and educational programs each season. The Chrysler has also been recognized nationally for its unique commitment to hospitality with its innovative gallery host program.

The Perry Glass Studio is a state-of-the-art facility on the Museum’s campus. The studio offers programming for aspiring and master artists alike in a variety of processes including glassblowing, fusing, flameworking, coldworking and neon.

In addition, the Chrysler Museum of Art administers the Myers House, a historic house in downtown Norfolk, as well as the Jean Outland Chrysler Library. For more information on the Chrysler Museum of Art, visit chrysler.org.

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For more information, interview assistance, or a high-resolution image suitable for publication, please contact Jordan Fontenot at The Meridian Group at 757-340-7425 or jordanf@themeridiangroup.com

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ZINNIA PRESS CONTACT: Alei Rathjens, Marketing & Creative Director, TASTE Family of Businesses

alei@tasteva.com | 757.600.5297