Galaxy Cafés

by Theresa Regli

Our nominee for the best food court in the city? The Galaxy Cafés, at the Museum of Science. For starters, the views are -- literally -- out of this world. With stunning panoramas of the Charles River (out the window), the solar system (photos over the drink dispensers), and Earth (huge wall posters), it's no wonder some people sit for hours just gazing around.

Beneath a towering sculpture of plexiglas solar ellipses are four counters: Starlight Deli (sandwiches), Boston Grill (burgers, salads, and chicken), Pizza Gusta (pizza and pasta), and Galileo's (coffee and pastries). Some of the food is what you might expect at a museum: burgers, sodas, prepackaged salads. But the fresh, personal-size pizzas ($4.95) are a real treat, as are the crispy french fries ($1.50). And it's hard to resist the creatively named sandwiches, like the Meteorite ($4.95), a blend of salami, provolone, ham, onion, lettuce, and Italian dressing. Legal Seafood's clam chowder ($3.95) is another nice touch. For a drink, try a bottle of Orbitz ($1.95), a noncarbonated soft drink with flavored globules that just hang, suspended, in the liquid. Researchers at MIT tell us they're working on density studies of Orbitz globules. Really.

The Galaxy Cafés at the Museum of Science open at 9 a.m. daily and close at 5 p.m. on Monday; 8 p.m. on Tuesday; 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday; and 10 p.m. on Saturday. Call 723-2500.