Delmonico's facts for kids
Delmonico's is the name of several famous restaurants in New York City. The most well-known one was run by the Delmonico family for many years, starting in the 1800s. Their last family-owned restaurant closed in 1923 because of a time called Prohibition. During Prohibition, it was illegal to sell alcohol, which made it hard for restaurants to stay in business.
Since then, other restaurants using the Delmonico's name have opened in Manhattan. They are owned by different people.
The first Delmonico's started as a small pastry shop in 1827 at 23 William Street. By 1830, it was listed as a restaurant. They moved a few times before settling at 2 South William Street. This location was open for eighty years! Delmonico's is famous for being the first restaurant in America to let customers order from a menu, choosing what they wanted (this is called à la carte). Before this, everyone usually ate the same meal chosen by the restaurant (called table d’hôte). It's also said to be the first to have a separate list just for wines.
At its most popular, the Delmonico family ran four restaurants at the same time. They owned a total of ten different Delmonico's restaurants over the years.
Six years after the original family's last restaurant closed, a new Delmonico's opened at 2 South William Street. This one was started by a chef named Oscar Tucci. It stayed open until 1977. Other Delmonico's restaurants have also been in that same spot since then.
Contents
History of Delmonico's Restaurants
How Delmonico's Began
The first Delmonico's restaurant was opened by two brothers, John and Peter Delmonico. They came from Ticino, Switzerland. In 1831, their nephew, Lorenzo Delmonico, joined them. Lorenzo became very important for choosing the wines and planning the menus.
In August 1837, a big Delmonico's building opened on William Street. This was after the Great Fire of New York. People in New York were told that the large columns at the entrance came from the old ruins of Pompeii!
Growing and Closing Down
Starting in the 1850s, Delmonico's hosted many important events. For example, the annual meeting of the New England Society of New York took place there. Many famous speakers came to these gatherings.
In 1860, Delmonico's prepared a huge supper for a special ball. This ball welcomed the Prince of Wales (who later became King Edward VII). The supper was served in a special room. The food was French, and there were amazing sugar sculptures called pièces montées. These sculptures looked like Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and a large ship called the SS Great Eastern. The New York Times newspaper said the supper was served in a "luxurious" way.
In 1862, the restaurant hired Charles Ranhofer. He was known as one of the best chefs of his time.
In 1919, a man named Edward L.C. Robins bought Delmonico's. The big restaurant at Fifth Avenue and 44th Street closed in 1923. This happened because of Prohibition, which changed how people dined out. This was the last Delmonico's restaurant connected to the original family business.
After the last family-owned Delmonico's closed, many other restaurants tried to use the "Delmonico's" name. The Delmonico family tried to stop them. However, a court decided that since the family's last restaurant closed, the name could be used by others.
The Delmonico family owned and ran many restaurants over the years. Their first small cafe opened in 1827. They had several locations, including one known as "The Citadel" at 2 South William Street. Their last restaurant, at Fifth Avenue and 44th Street, closed in 1923.
New Delmonico's Restaurants
In 1927, Oscar Tucci reopened a Delmonico's. It was at the old location of 2 South William Street. People often called it "Oscar's Delmonico." Tucci used the original menus and recipes. He even created the famous Wedge Salad! Oscar's Delmonico became well-known on its own. It continued to attract important politicians and celebrities. Oscar's son, Mario Tucci, later opened another Delmonico's in Greenwich, Connecticut, in 1986.
In 1989, Ed Huber opened a new Delmonico's at the same location. It operated until 1992.
The building was empty until 1998. Then, a company called the Bice Group bought it and opened Delmonico's again. Gian Pietro Branchi was the head chef. In 1999, the restaurant was sold to a new group. They still run Delmonico's at the South William Street location today.
Famous Dishes from Delmonico's
Many famous dishes were created or made popular at Delmonico's restaurant. These include:
- Lobster Newberg
- Delmonico Potatoes
- Possibly Chicken à la King
The restaurant was most famous for its Delmonico steak. Some people also say that Eggs Benedict were first made at Delmonico’s. The name for Baked Alaska was also thought up at Delmonico's.
Famous Visitors
Many well-known people visited Delmonico's. Some of them include:
- Jenny Lind, a famous singer, who supposedly ate there after every show.
- Theodore Roosevelt, a future U.S. President.
- Mark Twain, a famous writer.
- "Diamond Jim" Brady, a wealthy businessman known for his love of food.
- Lillian Russell, a popular actress, often with Diamond Jim.
- Charles Dickens, a famous English writer.
- Oscar Wilde, an Irish writer.
- J.P. Morgan, a powerful banker.
- James Gordon Bennett, Jr., a newspaper publisher.
- Nikola Tesla, a brilliant inventor.
- Edward VII, who was then the Prince of Wales.
- Napoleon III of France, the Emperor of France.
A journalist named Jacob A. Riis told a story about Delmonico's. In his book, he said that when he was struggling and didn't have much money, a kind French-speaking cook at Delmonico’s would give him rolls through the basement window.
Other Delmonico's Places
There is a Delmonico's restaurant in New Orleans, Louisiana, that opened in 1895. It was bought by a famous chef named Emeril Lagasse in 1997. He updated the restaurant and reopened it as Emeril’s Delmonico.
The Delmonico's Hotel, located at Park Avenue and East 59th Street, is not connected to the restaurants. This hotel was a very exciting place in August 1964. That's because the Beatles stayed there, and many fans gathered outside!
Images for kids
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A modern photo of Delmonico's in the Financial District
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Delmonico's, Beaver and South William Streets, 1893
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Dinner in honor of Admiral Campion at Delmonico's in 1906
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Pièces montées (sugar sculptures) being prepared in the Delmonico's kitchen in 1902
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See also
In Spanish: Delmonico's Restaurant para niños
