PHOENIX, Ariz. (September 22, 2025) – On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, Phoenix Art Museum will debut Alden, a 3,862-square-foot New American restaurant that merges culinary creativity with architectural history. Named for Alden B. Dow, the visionary behind the Museum’s original 1959 building, the restaurant was created in partnership with CS Hospitality, a new hospitality group founded by the team behind Conceptually Social together with Operating Partner Monica X. Castillo

“We are thrilled to officially announce the opening date for Alden at Phoenix Art Museum,” said Jeremy Mikolajczak, the Museum’s Sybil Harrington Director and CEO. “Inspired by the visionary spirit of the Museum’s architect, Alden B. Dow, this new restaurant invites guests to savor an artful culinary experience that echoes the creativity and innovation found throughout our campus. Beginning this October, we encourage everyone to make reservations and enjoy a day at the Museum. Explore this season’s extraordinary exhibitions, discover unique finds at The Museum Store, and now, complete your visit with a memorable meal at Alden, presented in partnership with CS Hospitality.”

Situated in Downtown Phoenix at the heart of Phoenix Art Museum and overlooking the Museum’s lush Dorrance Sculpture Garden, Alden offers guests a refined yet welcoming atmosphere where food, art, and community meet. Beginning October 1, the restaurant will be open for indoor dining Wednesday through Friday from 10 am to 9 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm (closed Mondays and Tuesdays), serving as a destination for leisurely lunches and sumptuous dinners. Museum visitors can also enjoy a convenient grab-and-go selection with outdoor seating on Grossman Terrace in the Sculpture Garden, with full outdoor dining service launching this November in time for the holiday season.

 Alden’s menu reflects a modern American sensibility elevated by global influences and seasonal ingredients. Shareables include a range of vibrant, flavor-forward starters, such as a delicate hamachi crudo. Salads range from a crisp seasonal fattoush to hearty greens. Sandwiches like the chicken katsu bun and indulgent patty melt balance comfort with culinary flair, while entrées such as a silky squash risotto or classic steak frites bring depth and richness. A whimsical strawberry trifle—a playful riff on Alden B. Dow’s favorite strawberry shortcake dessert—anchors the dessert menu. Guests will also enjoy a full kids’ menu and a beverage program featuring crafted house and zero-proof cocktails.

For CS Hospitality, the team behind Kaizen Sushi, Conceptually Social Catering, and Silo Tempe, Alden marks a new chapter in crafting hospitality experiences that celebrate design and community. Operating Partner Monica X. Castillo, whose career spans Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, La Grande Orange Pizzeria, Chelsea’s Kitchen, Parlor Pizzeria, Upward Projects, and Happiness Plaza Concepts in Wichita, Kan., has long been known for shaping menus that balance comfort and creativity.

“Dining at Alden is about the connection between flavors, people, and art,” said Castillo. “It will be a space where guests can relax, take in the beauty of the Museum, and enjoy a meal that feels both special and approachable.”

For more information about Alden’s menu or to make a reservation, visit www.AldenPhx.com

About Alden @ PhxArt
Alden is a newly renovated 3,862-square-foot restaurant located within Phoenix Art Museum. Open five days a week for lunch, dinner, and grab-and-go service, Alden offers a modern American menu inspired by seasonal ingredients and the diverse flavors of the community. Set alongside the Museum’s stunning Dorrance Sculpture Garden, the restaurant provides a welcoming destination where food, art, and culture meet. With shareable plates, hearty entrées, sandwiches, salads, desserts, and a curated beverage program, Alden has something to satisfy every craving. For more information, visit www.AldenPhx.com or follow along on Instagram at @AldenPhx.

About Phoenix Art Museum
Since 1959, Phoenix Art Museum (PhxArt) has engaged millions of visitors with the art of our region and world. Located in Phoenix’s Central Corridor, PhxArt creates spaces of exchange and belonging for all audiences through dynamic exhibitions, collections, and experiences with art. Each year, 300,000 guests on average engage with critically acclaimed national and international exhibitions and the Museum’s collection of more than 21,000 works of American and Western

American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern, and contemporary art and fashion design, along with vibrant photography exhibitions made possible through the Museum’s landmark partnership with the Center for Creative Photography at the University of Arizona in Tucson. PhxArt also presents live performances, outstanding examples of global cinema, arts-education programs and workshops, a monthly live-music series, and more for the community. To learn more about Phoenix Art Museum, visit phxart.org, or call 602.257.1880.

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PHOENIX (January 28, 2025) – Phoenix Art Museum (PhxArt) and Conceptually Social (CS) announce today that they will open their new restaurant concept—Alden—in Spring 2025, with Operating Partner Monica X Castillo at the helm. Named for famed architect Alden B. Dow, who designed the original Phoenix Art Museum building at Central Avenue and McDowell Road, Alden restaurant will offer new American cuisine that brings in flavors found throughout the Valley’s diverse community. Patrons will be able to enjoy a sit-down experience in the newly renovated dining area conceptualized and created by Shepley Bulfinch, MRT Design, and DL Norton General Contracting. The restaurant will also offer grab-and-go items that can be enjoyed outside in the Museum’s Dorrance Sculpture Garden. Beginning in February 2025, Alden will launch a series of salon-style dining experiences to offer a preview of what to expect when the restaurant opens to the public in the spring.

“We are very excited to unveil the plans for Alden at Phoenix Art Museum,” said Jeremy Mikolajczak, the Sybil Harrington Director and CEO of Phoenix Art Museum. “Through this collaboration with Conceptually Social, we wanted to create an experience that honors the Museum’s mid-century history while providing our community with a new dining experience featuring fresh, thoughtful design and an innovative food and beverage program. Created by the incredible Monica X Castillo, Alden’s menu will reflect the global influences and cultures that have shaped Phoenix. We extend our gratitude to the Conceptually Social team for their partnership, as well as the talented teams at Shepley Bulfinch, MRT Design, and DL Norton General Contracting that are working tirelessly to bring the Alden vision to life.”

The forthcoming restaurant located at PhxArt is named for Alden B. Dow F.A.I.A., who served as architect for the original museum building that opened to the public in 1959. Dow graduated from the Beaux Arts Architectural Program at Columbia University in New York City and went on to join Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin Fellowship in the spring of 1933. He was one of the first fellows to leave Taliesin and start his own firm, becoming a leader and expert in organic architecture. Throughout his 50-year career, Dow designed more than 600 projects and constructed more than 130 structures in his hometown of Midland, Michigan.

The new restaurant will not only refresh the dining experience but also honor the architect’s legacy by incorporating the building’s distinctive design elements. Intimate entries, an open-concept kitchen, and an expansive, inviting dining room will take full advantage of the Museum’s striking horizontal lines and the interplay of natural light. The design also celebrates Dow’s signature use of bold, organic shapes, with spaces that encourage both reflection and social interaction.

Beginning in Spring 2025, Alden at PhxArt will be open for lunch and dinner. Sample menu items include:

• Salmon Crudo (aji, amarillo-yuzu chile, lychee, avocado crema)
• Zesty Sesame (rice noodles, mango, cilantro, serrano, red cabbage, sesame dressing)
• Short Ribs (ancho chili & red wine braised beef, blue corn polenta, roasted chayote squash)

Additional menu selections can be viewed here. Alden will also offer grab-and-go-pastries and coffee service in the morning. Hours of operation will be:

• Monday and Tuesday: Closed
• Wednesday and Thursday: 10 am – 9 pm
• Friday and Saturday: 10 am – 10 pm
• Sunday: 10 am – 8 pm

Alden’s food and beverage program has been created and will be overseen by Monica Castillo. Over her career, Castillo has worked her way up the ranks of high-end kitchens, beginning as a pastry chef and rising through all areas of the “back of house.” After more than eight years at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, she moved to Phoenix to join the culinary team that opened La Grande Orange Pizzeria and Chelsea’s Kitchen, eventually expanding her experience into general management. Over her career, Castillo has helped open concepts for Parlor Pizzeria, Upward Projects, Conceptually Social, and, most recently, Happiness Plaza Concepts in Wichita, Kansas. In addition to her experience as a chef and restaurateur, Castillo is a ceramic artist, who began her practice as part of her journey to heal from a 2015 breast cancer diagnosis.

“Food, art, storytelling—all of these things make up who I am and how I support my community,” said Castillo. “I am extremely excited to be working on the food and beverage program for Alden and am in awe of this opportunity. My hopes are to creatively elevate the restaurant so the community can expect the same level of excellence and service that they enjoy from their experiences at Phoenix Art Museum.”

Prior to Alden’s grand opening in Spring 2025, Castillo will host a series of four intimate, salon-style dining experiences in February and March 2025. Set in the Dorrance Sculpture Garden at Phoenix Art Museum, the preview dining experiences will feature a taste of the special dining events that visitors can expect from the restaurant throughout the year, including Alden’s unique approach to creating experiences that support arts and cultural engagement.

Themes for these preview experiences will include:

• A family-style meal with an Arizona-based artist, featuring an opportunity to connect with a local creative over delicious food accompanied by wine and beer pairings by ARTenders (February 2025; invitation only)
• A ‘sparkling’ lunch, featuring a champagne tasting and light lunch (February 2025; invitation only)
• A Japanese high tea, featuring tea service provided by the Japanese Friendship Garden and Japanese-style bites and sweets (March 2025; invitation only)
• A storytelling evening, featuring fine dining tastings and a storytelling event presenting Valley chefs who share the ups and downs of opening and running restaurants (March 2025; invitation only).

Additionally, Alden will offer curated dining experiences throughout the year inspired by exhibitions on view at the Museum. More information on these bespoke dining opportunities, including the salon-style dinners, will be shared as available.

To learn more about Alden and the PhxArt and Conceptually Social partnership, contact the Museum’s Communications office at samantha.santos@phxart.org.

For high-resolution photography, click here.

About Phoenix Art Museum
Since 1959, Phoenix Art Museum has provided millions of guests with access to world-class art and experiences in an effort to ignite imaginations, create meaningful connections, and serve as a brave space for all people who wish to experience the transformative power of art. Located in Phoenix’s Central Corridor, the Museum is a vibrant destination for the visual arts and the largest art museum in the southwestern United States. Each year, more than 350,000 guests engage with critically acclaimed national and international exhibitions and the Museum’s collection of more than 20,000 works of American and Western American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern and contemporary art, and fashion design. The Museum also presents a comprehensive film program, live performances, and educational programs designed for visitors of all ages, along with vibrant photography exhibitions made possible through the Museum’s landmark partnership with the Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona. To learn more about Phoenix Art Museum, visit phxart.org, or call 602.257.1880.

About Conceptually Social
Conceptually Social is a Phoenix-based, minority-owned food and beverage solutions company. The group began offering catering services in 2015. The company currently operates three concepts: Conceptually Social Catering, Silo Tempe in Hayden Ferry Lakeside, and Kaizen Sushi inside State Farm Stadium. The company is dedicated to serving uncommonly delicious cuisine while cultivating meaningful relationships within the community and investing in Arizona. For more information about Conceptually Social, visit cscateringaz.com.

About Alden Restaurant
Named for the famed architect of Phoenix Art Museum, Alden B. Dow, Alden is the upcoming newly renovated 3,862-square-foot restaurant at Phoenix Art Museum. Open five days a week for lunch, dinner, and grab-and-go service, Alden @ PhxArt is a unique culinary destination, set alongside the Museum’s stunning Dorrance Sculpture Garden and offering new American cuisine with flavors found throughout our diverse community. With a broad selection of nourishing and sumptuous meals made from seasonal ingredients, Alden has something to satisfy every craving. For more information, visit aldenphx.com.

About Alden B. Dow, F.A.I.A
Alden Ball Dow was born in Midland, Michigan, on April 10, 1904. Greatly influenced by his parents’ appreciation for nature, cultures, and design, Dow desired to become an architect and enrolled in the Beaux Arts Architectural Program at Columbia University in New York City, graduating in 1931. While still a student at Columbia, Dow designed the Midland Country Club and is noted as Associate designer since he was not yet registered. Before opening his own architectural firm, Dow apprenticed at Frantz and Spence, an architectural firm in Saginaw, Michigan, where he designed his first residential structure, the Towsley Residence in Ann Arbor, Michigan, introducing modern design to that city.

Dow admired Frank Lloyd Wright’s style of organic architecture for many years. He reinforced his own philosophy of organic design when he and his wife, Vada Bennett Dow, joined Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin Fellowship in the spring of 1933, spending six months with Wright. Dow was one of the first fellows to leave Taliesin and design on his own, developing a design philosophy focused on “Honesty, Humility and Enthusiasm,” the cornerstone of his life’s work. After returning from Taliesin in the fall of 1933, Mr. Dow began his own architectural firm, Alden B. Dow, Architect. He designed the footprint for his architectural studio and residence, and in 1934, construction of the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio began. The four sections of the building were built over time and completed in 1941 and, like 12 other homes in the 1930s, was dominated by Alden Dow’s “unit block” design.

Throughout his 50-year career, Dow designed more than 600 projects and constructed more than 130 structures for Midland, Michigan, 63 of which are residences.  He also designed many religious, educational, civic and commercial buildings for Midland and throughout Michigan. He was a registered architect in 13 states, including Texas, Illinois, Ohio, Florida, Oklahoma, California, Connecticut, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Indiana, North Carolina, New York, and Arizona. He received many honorary awards from colleges and universities for his architectural leadership, including a fellowship in the American Institute of Architecture in 1957 and the title of Architect Laureate of The State of Michigan in 1983. The Alden B. Dow Home and Studio was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1989 and offers daily tours and educational programming. Dow’s work inspired numerous architects to design structures in Midland, featuring more than 400 mid-century modern structures that were built between 1930-1970. Dow passed away on August 20, 1983. 

About Shepley Bullfinch
Shepley Bulfinch is a women-led, national architecture and design firm. Founded in 1874, the firm has a notable legacy of challenging convention, pioneering visionary design ideas, and collaborating with clients who seek to drive measurable change. The firm’s architects and designers are regarded for their expertise in tackling complex projects, especially in education, healthcare, and urban development. Learn more about the firm at shepleybulfinch.com.

About MRT Design
MRT Design is a dynamic Phoenix-based architecture and design firm specializing in innovation-focused spaces. With a commitment to sustainable practices and thoughtful design, we create environments that inspire and elevate experiences. Dedicated to fostering strong client relationships by actively listening and combining creativity with technical expertise to deliver tailored solutions that meet each client’s unique needs. From conceptual design to project completion, they strive to shape spaces that resonate with purpose and style. For more information, visit mrtdesignllc.com.

About DL Norton Contracting
DL Norton General Contracting, Inc. was founded in 1961 and has been a trusted provider of preconstruction, contracting, construction management, and design-build services across both private and public sectors. With a strong track record of successful projects throughout the Valley, we take pride in our contributions to the community. Notable projects include the development of the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, the renovation of ASU’s College of Public Policy & Community Solutions, the Phoenix Theatre Expansion, new Shade Structures at the Downtown Farmer’s Market, upgrades to Phoenix Art Museum, and the Sanitary Sewer Replacement at Phoenix City Hall, along with numerous other impactful projects across Arizona.

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PHOENIX (July 10, 2023) – Phoenix Art Museum (PhxArt) announces today that the institution will partner with Conceptually Social, a Phoenix-based food and beverage solutions company, to create a new on-site restaurant experience for PhxArt visitors and Valley residents. The new restaurant will be located in the previous Palette Restaurant space overlooking the Museum’s Dorrance Sculpture Garden and is scheduled to open in early 2024. The restaurant’s official concept, branding, and menu will be announced on a later date. In the interim period, PhxArt and Conceptually Social will launch a café experience named Temporary on August 2, 2023 in the Museum’s JPMorgan Chase Lobby. Temporary will feature coffee, sandwiches, salads, and pastries and will be accessible to PhxArt visitors only. Vegan and gluten-free options will be available.

“We are very excited to officially share the news of our partnership with Conceptually Social to bring a new, innovative food and beverage program to our community,” said Jeremy Mikolajczak, the Sybil Harrington Director and CEO of Phoenix Art Museum. “Over the coming months, we will be working to re-envision the Museum’s on-site restaurant space, with an eye toward fresh, thoughtful design that provides an entirely new dining experience for our visitors and community members. In the meantime, we look forward to opening Conceptually Social’s café experience this August so visitors can get a taste of what’s to come in early 2024.”

Conceptually Social was chosen as PhxArt’s community partner to revitalize its on-site food offerings following a competitive RFP process. Since establishment in 2014, Conceptually Social has built a solid reputation based on the company’s dedication to excellence, passion for the Phoenix community, and the quality and diversity of their cuisine. Conceptually Social has roots in downtown Phoenix, with their first restaurant concept The Dressing Room bringing life to Roosevelt Row in the early phases of the area’s revitalization. Today, the company owns and operates The Larry and Kaizen inside the historic Lawrence Building in the Phoenix Warehouse District. Conceptually Social’s catering division executes daily corporate catering on-site at several large technology firms and academic institutions. The team also caters high-end weddings, exclusive dinners, and multi-day events. Through all of their services, the group continues to utilize food and creatively designed spaces to create long-lasting relationships and unify communities.

Beginning August 2, 2023, PhxArt and Conceptually social will launch Temporary, a café experience located in the  Museum’s JPMorganChase Lobby. The café will feature coffee and select beverages, pastries, sandwiches, and salads, with vegan and gluten-free options available. For images and sample menu items, click here.

The new PhxArt and Conceptually Social restaurant concept will open in early 2024 with a craveable menu experience designed to foster connection and community through art, design, and outstanding cuisine and hospitality. More details will be shared in late 2023.

“Conceptually Social is thrilled with this chance to serve an institution of such artistic excellence and culture as The Phoenix Art Museum,” said Kyu Utsunomiya, co-founder of Conceptually Social. “We look forward to working with the team at PhxArt to offer culinary experiences unlike anything else in the Valley.”

To learn more about the PhxArt and Conceptually Social partnership, including Temporary, contact the Museum’s Communications office at samantha.santos@phxart.org.

For high-resolution photography, click here.

About Phoenix Art Museum
Since 1959, Phoenix Art Museum has provided millions of guests with access to world-class art and experiences in an effort to ignite imaginations, create meaningful connections, and serve as a brave space for all people who wish to experience the transformative power of art. Located in Phoenix’s Central Corridor, the Museum is a vibrant destination for the visual arts and the largest art museum in the southwestern United States. Each year, more than 350,000 guests engage with critically acclaimed national and international exhibitions and the Museum’s collection of more than 20,000 works of American and Western American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern and contemporary art, and fashion design. The Museum also presents a comprehensive film program, live performances, and educational programs designed for visitors of all ages, along with vibrant photography exhibitions made possible through the Museum’s landmark partnership with the Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona. To learn more about Phoenix Art Museum, visit phxart.org, or call 602.257.1880.

About Conceptually Social
Conceptually Social is a Phoenix-based, minority-owned food and beverage solutions company. The group began offering catering services in 2015 and brought its first two restaurant concepts, Be Coffee and The Dressing Room to life in 2016 and 2017. The company operates two restaurants housed in the historic Lawrence Building in the Phoenix Warehouse District: The Larry and Kaizen. The Larry is an all-day cafe offering food, coffee and cocktails. Kaizen offers an elevated sushi experience integrating influences from Japanese and Latin cultures. Conceptually Social was awarded the opportunity to cater the 2023 Super Bowl LVII Exclusive Tailgate Party at the Cardinals Stadium. The company is dedicated to serving uncommonly delicious cuisine while cultivating meaningful relationships within the community and investing in Arizona. For more information about Conceptually Social, visit conceptuallysocial.com.

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PhxArt is currently working with a community partner to bring a new restaurant experience to our visitors, art lovers, and foodies of the Valley, which will open this fall. Details on the new establishment will be announced in the coming months.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. To reserve a table at Palette, please click here. To reserve tickets for PhxArt Family Funday on Sunday, May 28, please click here.

About Phoenix Art Museum
Since 1959, Phoenix Art Museum has provided millions of guests with access to world-class art and experiences in an effort to ignite imaginations, create meaningful connections, and serve as a brave space for all people who wish to experience the transformative power of art. Located in Phoenix’s Central Corridor, the Museum is a vibrant destination for the visual arts and the largest art museum in the southwestern United States. Each year, more than 300,000 guests engage with critically acclaimed national and international exhibitions and the Museum’s collection of more than 20,000 works of American and Western American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern and contemporary art, and fashion design. The Museum also presents a comprehensive film program, live performances, and educational programs designed for visitors of all ages, along with vibrant photography exhibitions made possible through the Museum’s landmark partnership with the Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona. To learn more about Phoenix Art Museum, visit phxart.org, or call 602.257.1880.

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