A New Eatery at NHM

After dipping into NHM's L.A. Underwater exhibition, marveling at minerals in the Gem and Mineral Hall, and greeting ancient behemoths in the Dinosaur Hall, visitors might need a place to refuel and drink in the experience.

With that in mind, we’ve opened a friendly place with a garden view for visitors to meet and feast—Neighborhood Grill by Post & Beam. The casual dining experience features sustainably sourced, family-friendly fare and is part of NHMLAC’s new food & beverage program, managed by South LA Cafe Hospitality (SLAC), and represents a forward-thinking and new approach to museum dining. Chef John Cleveland and co-Owner Roni Cleveland opened the award-winning Post & Beam restaurant in the Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw District in South L.A., with the goal of making people feel at home. The restaurant, known for its "California Soul" approach to food, is a perfect pairing of southern comfort with California innovation. Their specialty? Good vibes, a la cart.

“It was very encouraging to know that NHM makes an effort to support families and small businesses," says Cleveland. "I want to create a casual and versatile food experience that reflects our neighborhood and supports our community. I love that food is going to be part of the memories that people make when they visit here.”

Snack Time

Hungry guests can pick from a variety of hot and cold sandwiches, flatbread pizzas, street tacos, salads, nuggets, snacks, and sweet treats. Cleveland’s creative, customizable menu is crafted for everyone and anyone, with made-to-order and grab n’ go items, and an abundance of vegan and gluten-free options with farmers market overtones. Mouth-watering offerings include Cleveland's signature ‘hot pastrami’ sandwich, a special handmade sunflower seed butter and grape jelly sandwich (for kids and adults), vegan tacos (jerked wild mushroom, smoked cauliflower, and heart of palm), chicken and fish nuggets, mainstay snacks including nachos and chips & queso, plus grab n’ go items from South L.A. vendors such as Kye’s Feel Good Food, Southern Girls Desserts, 27th Street Bakery, and Prins Wellness.

With indoor and outdoor seating, the new restaurant will be open during public Museum hours from 9:30 am to 5 pm.

Good Hospitality

Post & Beam’s casual concept restaurant is one of the major elements of NHMLAC’s partnership with the newly formed SLAC, which began managing the Museums’ food & beverage program on February 1, 2023. The new restaurant replaces NHM Grill, the Museum’s former restaurant operated by Trimana.

Co-founded by Los Angeles-natives Joe and Celia Ward-Wallace, SLAC is a certified Minority Business Enterprise and part of a women-led business ecosystem which also includes South LA Cafe, South LA Market and South LA Cafe Community Foundation 501c3. SLAC Hospitality will also oversee catering, bringing in their local business partners for NHMLAC special events, as well as a new café inside NHM Commons, the Museum’s new wing scheduled to open mid-2024.

“We started SLAC Hospitality as a way for South Los Angeles businesses to offer mutual support, create growth opportunities, and provide training and employment to local residents,” said SLAC co-CEO Celia Ward-Wallace.

A New Museum Home 

“Neighborhood Grill by Post & Beam helps fulfill our mission of finding new ways for small and locally-owned businesses to thrive together by introducing them to new audiences and utilizing our own strong network to promote inclusive social enterprise," says Cleveland. “I’m excited to be putting together a new concept with the partners at the Museum, and to have a space that my family can make a home out of. It is very encouraging to know that NHM makes an effort to support families and small businesses.”