There's something new on display at the Seattle Art Museum.

The recently expanded SAM now features TASTE - a restaurant headed up by executive chef Christopher Conville.

"Before I was at the Seattle Art Museum, I worked for my company Bon Appetit for 14 years. So, I've traveled the country with them," says Christopher, who, along with his staff of about 40, also handles all the catering.

"We are the premier caterers for SAM, so we handle all the catering, so we've got three venues: downtown, the Asian Art Museum at Volunteer Park and the Olympic Sculpture Park."

Christopher designs his menu using produce from local farmers.

"They're making a living, they're doing a wonderful thing and their farm is getting some great, you know, exposure. So, it's good for everybody. That's community. That's what this restaurant screams. That's what I'm proud of, really."

While some of the biggest names in art are displayed next door, Christopher uses his talents to create his own visual masterpieces.

"I really wanted the approach to be simple food, and when it gets placed in front of you, (you'll) just be like, "I wasn't expecting that at all," not only with the visual but also with some of the nuances on the dish as well."

Those dishes include:

"We're doing a really nice heirloom tomato salad with torn basil and Rogue River bleu cheese on the menu right now for lunch.  The dinner menu we're just doing some classic food, I mean, it's just steak and frites which everybody seems to enjoy.  We do wonderful flatbreads here out of the hearth oven."

Christopher says while the museum is a big help drawing a crowd to his restaurant, it's also a hindrance.

"Most people think that the restaurant coincides with the museum's hours.  So, on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, when the museum's closed, people aren't thinking about coming in here.  It's going to be really hard to get that into people's mindsets that TASTE is open."

Think of TASTE as an edible collection of good karma.

"We like to have a good time down here because it's a happy kitchen - and if it's a happy kitchen that means it's going to put out really good food.  I guarantee it."

Places Chef Conville likes to Go Eat!: The Pink Door, Cafe Campagne, Union, Tavolata

For more information:

http://www.tastesam.com