The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., set out to create a "shared sense of adventure" at its newest campus restaurant, Pangea.
Opened in January and slated to operate until June, the pop-up restaurant's concept focuses on sustainability and the growing need for "conscious" dining. Its name, Pangea, refers to a time in Earth's history before the continents became separated; its menus are designed to reflect the increasing interconnectedness and availability of diverse, authentic global cuisines.
The operation serves lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, featuring a tasting menu consisting of five set courses and 10 set dishes, as well as a vegetarian menu. Rather than accepting traditional reservations, Pangea utilizes a ticketing system, which guests can access online. Tickets, including service charge and tax but not including beverages, run $24.04 for lunch and $36.69 for dinner.
If the menu is focused on culinary ecology and emphasizes renewable, plant-based foods, the space was created by CIA students and staff with sustainability in mind, as well. It's filled with repurposed furnishings, fixtures, service ware and décor items to create a casual, eclectic look that came together with limited time and budget. The space also includes herbs growing along the windows and a wall of lettuces and greens growing under a panel of lights.