From homemade meals to artisan ice cream, here’s a taste of the Washington Pavilion’s new dining scene

This paid piece is sponsored by Washington Pavilion Management Inc.

You’ll see the difference the next time you dine at the Washington Pavilion – and then you’ll taste it.

Renovations are complete at The WP, the Washington Pavilion’s on-site cafe, and the second-floor Parlour House is now open, bringing downtown’s premier ice cream from the former Parlour Ice Cream House.

“Guests are stunned by the transformation,” said Cameron Ostrom, director of sales and administration. “It’s been really positive. The WP feels so much warmer and more comfortable, and it was almost seamless the way Parlour looks like it was custom-built for the space. So far, the sales have proved it’s very popular, so we’re just so excited by that. What a unique opportunity for us and for this building.”

Former Parlour manager Lizzy Nickel has joined the team at the Washington Pavilion and brought her culinary skills to both kitchens, re-creating popular Parlour ice cream flavors while also dishing out deliciousness at The WP.

“The quality is outstanding,” Washington Pavilion president and CEO Darrin Smith said. “The WP now is bright. It has energy. There’s improved lighting and furniture, and the entire atmosphere is enhanced. We’re seeing people coming in to work with laptops or to hold meetings over coffee, and we’re still just getting established.”

Nickel and the culinary team will rotate features such as salads and hot entrees frequently. There are healthy salad options, rotating soups, hot and cold sandwiches and wraps, homemade focaccia bread pizza and desserts, including Oh My Cupcakes! cupcakes.

“We want people to recognize that this is a menu they can count on, with consistent high quality,” Smith said.

“I overwhelmingly hear that people love it. They love the look and the model of the dining spaces and that they can come before a show and count on a great meal. There’s good variety, and everything is homemade – down to the salad dressings.”

Ostrom estimates he dines at The WP a few times each week, “and I don’t get tired of it,” he said. “I’m kind of a foodie, so I’m a good judge I think. Getting Lizzy here has been huge. Once we see her really work her magic and the team at full speed, I think we’re going to see even more, but we’re definitely on the right track already.”

On the second floor, Parlour’s signature flavors have a little science center twist to them now, but they’re still classics many guests will recognize. The space also continues to sell concessions, including popcorn and candy.

“We’re going to continue to listen to our customers, so while we have a really good road map, we know we can continue to source locally and enhance the quality,” Ostrom said. “You don’t need to have an admission or be a member to dine with us, and hours have expanded quite a bit, so there are many opportunities to come have a meal or treat yourself to ice cream.”

There’s even an option for ice cream on the go as the Washington Pavilion now offers portable coolers.

“We’ve brought those filled with Parlour ice cream to employee appreciation events, and we also have the ability to sell ice cream to restaurants for desserts, so we see a lot of opportunities to expand the Parlour brand and continue to support the Washington Pavilion,” Smith said.

Going forward, the Washington Pavilion’s dining scene will continue to evolve, Smith added. In 2023, the Washington Pavilion began working with several preferred caterers, in addition to continuing to cater events through The WP. There also are plans to add outdoor dining options, beginning with a new playground and outdoor seating outside The WP and then expanding to a larger patio along Main Avenue facing Washington Square.

“You’ll be able to dine outdoors in the future,” Smith said. “It’s a top priority, and one we see coming together as soon as we wrap up other exterior construction.”

For hours and online ordering at The WP cafe, click here. 

For details on Parlour House, click here.