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Restaurants in The District support local artists

Several downtown restaurants double as art galleries.

By Emily Willroth

Published Feb. 19, 2010

When locally-owned is often synonymous with kitschy, cutesy and downright tacky décor consisting of ma and pa's lifetime collection of rooster kitchenette sets and wall tiling from the '70s, it can be hard to find a visually pleasing local dining experience. But in Columbia's bustling arts district, local food means local art. With several restaurants and cafés doubling as art galleries, art enthusiasts can indulge all their senses.

Lakota Coffee Company
24 S. Ninth St.

Although consistently packed with an eclectic mix of college students basking in the glow of their laptop screens, hipsters hovering over their black coffees and biscotti and regulars stepping in for their daily coffees, Lakota Coffee creates a calm, quiet atmosphere.

Owner Skip DuCharme offers a traditional coffee shop menu consisting of their own brewed coffees and some food options, including whole cakes and pies, all for a reasonable price.

Paintings and photographs by local artists and semi-local artists spanning from Jefferson City to Springfield line all available wall space.

"I feel (the art) distinguishes us as being local and sets us apart from corporations," DuCharme said. "I also want to help out local artists."

Right now, the shop features works by Amberlinn Martens, Bob Hayes and Lawrence L'Hote, available for purchase through the artists. The art is usually swapped out every three to four weeks.

Sven's Kafé and Gallery
110 Orr St., Suite 101

Behind the fire truck red exterior of Sven's Kafé and Gallery lies an eccentric world of Swedish cuisine and contemporary ballet. The winding hallway with a window into the Missouri Contemporary Ballet practice studio, the spacious dining room adorned with wooden table sets and green walls and the monthly art displays appear masterfully misplaced. Sven's is a hodgepodge of culture, much like the city the restaurant calls home.

"We try to combine art and community in an atmosphere where people can enjoy it and absorb it as they study or eat or just have a cup of coffee," manager Kate Gunn said.

The exhibit, "The Art of Ballet II," features works from various local artists, focusing on the image of the Missouri Contemporary Ballet. The dancers appear in everything from pastel paintings and oil on canvas to mixed media and ornate sculptures.

Main Squeeze Natural Foods Café
28 S. Ninth St.

Main Squeeze Natural Foods Café offers peace of mind and body with its organic food options and calming art displays. The north wall of the restaurant features an oversized menu full of 100 percent fruit smoothies, organic sandwiches and vegetarian entrees. Facing the menu is a wall lined with images of a childhood beach vacation, recreated with oil on canvas by a local art student.

Owner Leigh Lockhart, an artist herself, said being in an artful environment enriches life and hopes the art displayed in her restaurant will do just that for her and her customers.

"I think that when you're around art it makes you feel better, and it makes you think," Lockhart said. "Plus, it decorates my restaurant."

Lockhart's displays change every four to six weeks, featuring new local artists each time. Next month her walls will feature a new generation of artists with an exhibit of children's art from local elementary schools.

Teller's Gallery and Bar
820 East Broadway

At Teller's Gallery and Bar, the art comes from within. Kitchen manager and MU art photography student Frank Mendoza proudly showed his semester's body of work in his first opening early last month.

Working his way up from the dish room, Mendoza now serves up castini platters and coconut-curry braised pork from behind the grill.

"I've had my ups and downs with my affection for food," Mendoza said.

His feelings toward his art are clearer.

"I want to do anything I can to make money in photography," Mendoza said. "That's my passion."

His exhibit features photographs from a variety of mid-Missouri locations, taken using a technique called pulling film. It will be on display for the rest of this month.

Whether looking for a quiet hideout to cram for an exam or a unique restaurant for a date, The District offers a range of options beyond those listed here sure to bring out the art enthusiast in everyone.