Theatrical Feast in New York

In New York the tradition of post-curtain dinners is an established part of theatre-going. This book is an anecdotal historical companion to legendary theatre people and their favourite places to eat. It brings together theatrical and culinary stories linked with some of New York's oldest and most famous restaurants, such as the Cafe des Artistes, the Algonquin, Sardi's, and the Waldorf. The Cafe des Artistes's sumptuous duplexes had only tiny pullman kitchens. Its famed tenants - who included Noel Coward, Isadora Duncan and Rudolf Valentino - bought their own raw ingredients, sent them down to the kitchen, and the kitchen then sent dinners upstairs on dumbwaiters precisely at the time requested. For over fifty years, the Algonquin has been favoured by British actors on tour - among them Gertrude Lawrence, John Gielgud and Peter Ustinov while American Orson Welles spent his honeymoon there. At Sardi's, Laurence Olivier dined with Noel Coward here, after a show, to tell him his marriage to Vivien Leigh was over. A vibrant mix of anecdote and entertainment, this book will appeal to thespians, those interested in theatre and food history, and visitors to New York.
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Theatrical Feast in New York

In New York the tradition of post-curtain dinners is an established part of theatre-going. This book is an anecdotal historical companion to legendary theatre people and their favourite places to eat. It brings together theatrical and culinary stories linked with some of New York's oldest and most famous restaurants, such as the Cafe des Artistes, the Algonquin, Sardi's, and the Waldorf. The Cafe des Artistes's sumptuous duplexes had only tiny pullman kitchens. Its famed tenants - who included Noel Coward, Isadora Duncan and Rudolf Valentino - bought their own raw ingredients, sent them down to the kitchen, and the kitchen then sent dinners upstairs on dumbwaiters precisely at the time requested. For over fifty years, the Algonquin has been favoured by British actors on tour - among them Gertrude Lawrence, John Gielgud and Peter Ustinov while American Orson Welles spent his honeymoon there. At Sardi's, Laurence Olivier dined with Noel Coward here, after a show, to tell him his marriage to Vivien Leigh was over. A vibrant mix of anecdote and entertainment, this book will appeal to thespians, those interested in theatre and food history, and visitors to New York.
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Theatrical Feast in New York

Theatrical Feast in New York

Theatrical Feast in New York

Theatrical Feast in New York

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Overview


In New York the tradition of post-curtain dinners is an established part of theatre-going. This book is an anecdotal historical companion to legendary theatre people and their favourite places to eat. It brings together theatrical and culinary stories linked with some of New York's oldest and most famous restaurants, such as the Cafe des Artistes, the Algonquin, Sardi's, and the Waldorf. The Cafe des Artistes's sumptuous duplexes had only tiny pullman kitchens. Its famed tenants - who included Noel Coward, Isadora Duncan and Rudolf Valentino - bought their own raw ingredients, sent them down to the kitchen, and the kitchen then sent dinners upstairs on dumbwaiters precisely at the time requested. For over fifty years, the Algonquin has been favoured by British actors on tour - among them Gertrude Lawrence, John Gielgud and Peter Ustinov while American Orson Welles spent his honeymoon there. At Sardi's, Laurence Olivier dined with Noel Coward here, after a show, to tell him his marriage to Vivien Leigh was over. A vibrant mix of anecdote and entertainment, this book will appeal to thespians, those interested in theatre and food history, and visitors to New York.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780750937191
Publisher: The History Press
Publication date: 11/28/2004
Pages: 224
Product dimensions: 5.36(w) x 8.78(h) x 0.85(d)

Table of Contents

Forewordix
Acknowledgmentsxi
Introduction1
1Famous Theatrical Restaurants6
2Hotels for the Stars24
3The Players Club36
4The Lambs Club44
5The Friars Club51
6Early British Stars of Broadway62
7Dorothy Parker and the Algonquin Round Table71
8Restaurant Row and the Fringe Theaters of New York93
9Ivor Novello's Favorites100
10Following in Noel Coward's Footsteps111
11Legendary Figures of the Theater127
12Theatrical Nibbles and Nuggets143
13Critics' Flavors152
14Modern Stars ... or Sugar and Spice164
15Three Walks through New York's Theaterland186
Epilogue: Food for the Spirit198
Bibliography202
Index204
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