Artifact at Mingei

On our list of the best activities in San Diego.

Inside the lobby of the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park, Artifact serves food built around ancient cooking methods and spices, with dishes drawing on Siam and the Fertile Crescent: shrimp gyoza in a yuzu dashi broth, a mango chutney-topped veggie samosa, crispy tofu with mushrooms and black vinegar. Seating is at bistro tables among museum-goers or at a wood-topped bar beneath a light installation, where the gold beer taps double as an art piece. Culinary director Tim Kolanko and chefs Wesley Johnson and Tony Coito run a kitchen that serves lunch daily but keeps dinner to Friday evenings only.