Classic Dining: Discovering America's Finest Mid-Century Restaurants

by Peter Moruzzi

Peter Moruzzi takes you to America's finest mid-century restaurants-continental-style fine dining establishments, historic steakhouses, lounge restaurants, and Polynesian palaces-that persevere in U.S. cities large and small. Through exclusive new and vintage photography, Moruzzi celebrates culinary pioneers and multigeneration restaurateurs, uncovers authentic gems, and debunks the predicted demise of the white tablecloth restaurant. The book includes a comprehensive directory of over 200 classic restaurants found in cities from all 50 states.

Genres: Coffee Table Books, Food, Photography, Nonfiction

176 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2012

Reviews

[Sarah]

A visual feast. I try to collect all of Pete Moruzzi's books. Every one of them is full of carefully curated photos and thought out commentary.

[Leslie Goddard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gorgeous photography is the best part of this nostalgic celebration of classic mid-century restaurants. I felt a bit taken for a ride, because the focus really is on STILL EXISTING restaurants of this era. That's not what I was expecting. And while I enjoyed the lush photography and trip back in time, I was hoping for more information -- more text, more captions, more context. It was like watching a fun musical movie, which is enjoyable in itself, but not really what you want when you're hoping for a meaty documentary.

[Vena Paylo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book about the luxury and history of fine dining. The text is engaging and entertaining. Beautifully balanced between text and photos of interiors/exteriors and promotional items. A highly enjoyable time travel read!

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super trip down memory lane. Made me hungry for restaurant meals enjoyed on special nights out as a child. Loved the old photos and menus.