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The Restaurant

A History of Eating Out
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( 481 ratings, 60 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In The Restaurant by William Sitwell, the book delves into the fascinating history of restaurants, from their origins in 18th-century France to their evolution worldwide. It explores the cultural and social aspects that have shaped dining out, highlighting notable culinary figures and pivotal moments that have influenced modern gastronomy, making it a captivating journey through the culinary past.
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by the evolution of dining out and how it mirrors societal changes over centuries. The author combines historical insights with vivid storytelling to explore the origins and transformations of restaurants, making it an intriguing read for history buffs and culinary enthusiasts alike.

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From the witty pen of renowned food critic William Sitwell comes a dazzling history of eating out.
ย 

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

AS READ ON BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK. The fascinating story of how we have gone out to eat, from the ancient Romans in Pompeii to the luxurious Michelin-starred restaurants of today.

Tracing its earliest incarnations in the city of Pompeii, where Sitwell is stunned by the sophistication of the dining scene, this is a romp through history as we meet the characters and discover the events that shape the way we eat today. Sitwell, restaurant critic for the Daily Telegraph and famous for his acerbic criticisms on the hit BBC show MasterChef, tackles this enormous subject with his typical wit and precision.

He spies influences from an ancient traveller of the Muslim world, revels in the unintended consequences for nascent fine dining of the French Revolution, reveals in full hideous glory the post-Second World War dining scene in the UK, and fathoms the birth of sensitive gastronomy in the US counterculture of the 1960s.

This is a story of the ingenuity of the human race as individuals endeavour to do that most fundamental of things: to feed people. It is a story of art, politics, revolution, desperate need and decadent pleasure. Sitwell, a familiar face in the UK and a figure known for the controversy he attracts, provides anyone who loves to dine out, who loves history, or who simply loves a good read with an accessible and humorous history.

The Restaurant is jam-packed with extraordinary facts; a book to read eagerly from start to finish or to spend glorious moments dipping into.

It may be William Sitwellโ€™s History of Eating Out, but itโ€™s also the definitive story of one of the cornerstones of our culture.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Restaurant by William Sitwell is praised for being a fascinating dive into the history of dining out, blending entertainment with well-researched insights. Critics have lauded its engaging storytelling, wit, and relevance, particularly during times where dining out is restricted. The book is described as a wide-ranging literary feast that captures the drama and excitement of the restaurant scene, making it a must-read for food enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781471179617

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 09 April 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Simon & Schuster Ltd

Illustration: Semi-illustrated. Images throughout, prints 4c

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 168.0mm

Height: 240.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 272

About the Author

William Sitwell is one of Britain's leading food writers. He is restaurant critic for The Telegraph, ย a frequent presenter and guest on TV and radio and one of the long-standing critics on the hit BBC show MasterChef. He also entertains diners with William Sitwellโ€™s Supper Club, providing exceptional food in extraordinary locations. www.williamsitwell.com ย 

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