In yet another version of the story, Delmonicos named it for him because he ordered it so often. They weren't attempting to serve Italian cuisine by the looks of their original menus, but to offer an upscale "European" menu, which in all parts of Europe during the 17th - 19th centuries were mainly based on Parisian fare. 15 oz Certified Angus Beef, Center Cut seasoned & perfectly seared, with Penne Marinara. Has a chestnut risotto and king crab ravioli starters to share. . Another banquet that drew public disapproval was the dinner for James G. Blaine, a Presidential candidate in 1884. sauce. Steaks were great. [Delmonico's 44th St by Byron Company, 1898. The brussel sprouts were overcooked and pretty greasy too. In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon parsley, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1 tablespoon minced onion, and 1/2 of the butter or margarine. Delmonico's claims to be the inventor of several notable dishes, including Eggs Benedict, Baked Alaska and Chicken A la Keene. by Larry Black. There is always a delightful little detail that makes the story click and lures journalists into repeating it so often that it becomes undisputed truth. Stolichnaya Razberi Vodka, Chambord, a splash of fresh lime & Cranberry Juice. In 1890, the restaurant was completely rebuilt into an eight story structure. Beautiful restaurant. Two English women who visited this country wrote scathing accounts of life here, painting Americans as shallow, grasping, and dull. The bar was a fun ambiance too. Giant rigatoni pasta, ricotta salata and black winter truffles. (5 to 10 minutes) Add cheddar cheese. The wine took a long time to come, which I was OK with, however when it finally arrived he literally (no exaggeration) held it in his hand while flirting with a blond female server for a good 10 additional minutes. It was a favorite chafing dish recipe for home entertaining and any restaurant with the least pretensions was bound to have it on the menu. Delmonico Steak", New York Architecture Images EDelmonico's, New York County Lawyers' Association Building, Trinity and United States Realty Buildings, Federal Reserve Bank of New York Building, Leadership and Public Service High School, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Delmonico%27s&oldid=1138782399, Articles with dead external links from October 2022, Articles with permanently dead external links, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from August 2022, All articles needing additional references, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2022, All articles with vague or ambiguous time, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, December 13, 1827 December 16, 1835 (destroyed by fire), "Delmonico & Brother, confectioners" small cafe and pastry shop, March, 1830 December 16, 1835 (destroyed by fire), "Delmonico & Brother, confectioners and Restaurant Francais", February 23, 1836 July 19, 1845 (destroyed by fire), August, 1837 July 10, 1890. Dark chocolate ganache and raspberry ice cream. As a historian I run across many legends of this type. Sun-dried tomatoes, olives, feta and roasted tomato sauce. [above: Delmonicos, Fifth Avenue and 26th Street], Over time Delmonicos moved from their initial society restaurant on the corner of Beaver, William, and South William streets [shown above, third from top] to three successive Fifth Avenue locations. Pie in the skies revolving restaurants Way out coffeehouses Taste of a decade: 1890s restaurants Sweet treats and teddy bears Its not all glamor, is it Mr. Krinkle? Baby spinach, shaved red onion, honey crisp apple, bacon, soy vinaigrette and crispy onion. Potato Crusted Seabass $32.95. Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Chef's Table, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wine, Urbana Farms Leaves, Seasonal Inspiration, Shrimp, Crab, 1/2 lobster. In a buttered baking dish, place all your potatoes. Thick slices of Country Italian Bread baked with Garlic Butter & Provolone. While I wont detail each miss, two major issues was with service from the staff along with passing a T-bone steak off as a 45 day aged porterhouse steak. Sweet Potato grits, cipollini onion and wild mushrooms. 1/2 Pan orders can be made any day of the week. ", "People dont eat the way they use to. The restaurant had expanded into adjacent space and was offering an upscale dining experience by the time it was destroyed by fire in . Beginning as a small cafe and pastry shop in 1827, Delmonicos eventually grew into a hospitality empire that encompassed several luxury restaurants catering to titans of industry, the political elite and cultural luminaries. Restaurant Business, Incorporated. It part of it in the middle had sinew and grizzle (in a filet mignon???) Maine lobster, root vegetables and sauce a la weinberg. American cheese, iceberg slaw, pickle and C.R. Fresh Buffalo Mozzarella, Vine Ripened Tomatoes, Red Onions, Basil & Balsamic Vinaigrette. People are much more health conscious and much more educated about where their food comes from. 1HERBED BUTTER: In a small bowl, combine the butter, garlic, lemon juice and parsley, and mix thoroughly. Distributed by wire services, stories about the legendary low prices found on Americas first menu have cropped up as filler items in countless newspapers from the 1930s until the present. If you are interested in placing a large party takeout order including half-pans, you can view that menu in the Carry Out section of our site. Grilled Italian Bread brushed with Olive Oil & Garlic, topped with Provolone, Tomato & Basil. From the Collections of the Museum of the City of New York. We scour the Black Hills for farmers and ranchers to source locally because we believe in the idea of farm to table. The original and most famous was operated by . [, At the Madison Square Delmonico's. Chicken Breasts Sauted with Mushrooms, Butter & Marsala Wine with Angel Hair Pasta. . And he might end up with a dinner of pickles and brandied peaches as happened to one hapless patron. In the 1947 film of the same name, a scene takes place in the restaurant; it likely recreates the William Street location. Is the restaurant supporting local purveyors?" Absolut Citron & Cointreau with a splash of Cranberry & Lime Juice. A Delmonico Steak Story. It has become wonderfully fashionable lately in discoursing upon eatable matters, wrote the author of A Short Chapter on Dining, to parade the names of a dozen or two of French dishes.. Ketel One Vodka, Peach Schnapps & a Splash of Champagne. Local spinach, bacon, wild mushroom and crispy spaetzle. Strangely enough, the prices shown on this 1880s menu are actually lower than would have been found in a cheap restaurant of the 1830s. Great food, great service. The New York Times reported, "We may frankly say that we have never seen a public supper served in a more inapproachable[7] fashion, with greater discretion, or upon a more luxurious scale". What a disappointment. According to MeasuringWorth.com a 10-cent hamburger steak in 1884 would be about the equivalent of one costing $2.29 today. Pancetta crumbs, preserved lemon and ramps. Refrigerate the potatoes overnight. Crispy Oyster Jim Brady $22.00 Bacon relish and ho-jo tartar sauce. I feel the head waiter could be more friendly but the rest of the staff were outstanding. Delmonicos never disappoints - weve been coming here for almost two decades and love the historic and civilized dining room. Feel free to view the menu using our Dinner, Bambino, and Desserts buttons above. Affordable meals Delmonico's original 1834 menu*. Ceilings on display The Automat goes country Maitre ds Added attractions: cocktail lounges Lunching at the drug store Lunch in a bus station, maybe Suffrage tea & lunch rooms Image gallery: have a seat! Woodford Bourbon, Angostura Bitters, Sweet Vermouth, Cherry. During much of the 19th century, most of Americas restaurants were located in hotels; up to the Civil War most operated on the American plan. Rebuilt and reopened July 7, 1891, closed 1917, "Delmonico's Restaurant," informally called "The Citadel. Artisanal spicy salami and angry marinara sauce. Lobster, spaghetti squash, tomato, ginger compte, braised greens and sauce persille. They moved several times before settling at 2 South William Street for eighty years, it is credited with being the first restaurant in America to allow patrons to order from a menu la carte, as opposed to table d'hte. Slowly break eggs one at a time into water and cook till egg white has set (3 minutes). Whatever. Less catchy, and thus less repeated versions of the Lobster Newberg story, suggested that Wenberg did not want his name used so the name of the dish was altered slightly or that the Delmonicos named the dish Newberg right from the start out of respect for Wenbergs privacy. But then restaurants did not used printed menus in 1834. Grate the potatoes. newsletter, The Big Oyster: History of the Half Shell, One of Londons Most Famous Restaurants Is Touching Down in Brooklyn, NYCsFirstMajorRestaurantUnionSince Covid LosesGround After Vote. Delmonico's is the name of a series of restaurants that operated in New York City, with the present version located at 56 Beaver Street in the Financial District of Manhattan. Mozzarella cheese with choice of topping. It was opened by Italian-Swiss immigrants, the brothers Giovanni and Pietro Delmonico. Goats Milk, Climax, North Carolina, 3 - 4 Months. These Are The Most Famous Restaurants In America. I am suspicious of it. Food was delicious. [gasps] Oh, my gosh! Prohibitionalong with constantly changing ownership among the Delmonico family heirscontributed to Delmonico's demise. Ultimately, Delmonicos under the Delmonico family closed in 1923. Delmonico's Lobster (2lb.) Delmonico Steakhouse takes its name from the legendary, century-old New Orleans institution, Delmonico Restaurant and Bar. Delmonico's Garlic Cheese Bread $8.99 Thick slices of Country Italian Bread baked with Garlic Butter & Provolone Italian Long Hot Peppers Stuffed with Ricotta, Sausage, Red Pepper, Romano & Gorgonzola Cheese finished with toasted Italian Breadcrumbs & Balsamic Glaze (4) $10.99 Calamari $14.99 After a trip to a Bridgeport, Connecticut farm, Tucci picked the ingredients that became the salad. Fettuccine Alfredo Tossed with Grilled Chicken, Mushrooms, Broccoli & Finished with A Touch of Marinara. We tried to use an opentable reward and the sever was unable to process it it was a very bad experience. Delmonico's vacated the six-story Delmonico Building at Fifth Avenue and 26th Street in 1899. Smoked onion, crispy potato and quail egg. Ohio + Tahiti = Kahiki Find of the day: the Redwood Room Behind the kitchen door Before Horn & Hardart: European automats Distinguished dining awards Restaurant as fun house: Shambargers Dressing for dinner Dining on the border: Tijuana Postscript: beefsteak dinners Three hours for lunch Light-fingered diners Mind your manners: restaurant etiquette Celebrity restaurateurs: Pat Boone Diary of an unhappy restaurateur Basic fare: bread Busboys Greek-American restaurants Roadside attractions: Totos Zeppelin 2012, a recap Christmas dinner in a restaurant, again? The Tucci incarnation adopted the original menus and recipes, and became distinguished in its own right, continuing to attract prominent politicians and celebrities, such as Lana Turner, Marilyn Monroe, Rock Hudson, Lena Horne, Elizabeth Taylor, Elvis, JFK, Jackie Kennedy Onassis and others. It reopened in the same space from 1981 until 1992, after which the building sat vacant until. Excellent food, service and ambiance. Do you believe the story? Served with Penne Marinara. Maybe. Roasted mushrooms, charred radicchio, Gorgonzola dolce. A Grilled 12oz. So your left paying for other peoples indulgences. [, Delmonico's social function, by Byron Company, 1902. A fine dining experience. Delmonico's Italian Steakhouse Menu and Prices. It was an amateur drama club which fits with the theme of the card. Pickled raisins, manchego and truffle honey. Jenny Lind ate there every night after her show. newsletter, An East Village Home for Live Music and Borscht Martinis Says Goodbye, A regularly updated roundup of closed restaurants in New York City, NYCs Oldest Cheese Shop Is Moving to New Jersey, Plus, Danny Meyer is investing in reservation platform SevenRooms and more intel, A Trek Through Mexican Diner Menus Uncovers One of the Citys Largest Burritos, Diners are making room for tacos, nachos, and more, Why a Super-Hot Restaurant Nixed Brunch After Just a Few Weeks, A small restaurant, a lean staff, and a clientele that doesnt come for the drinks is a lousy combination for Bonnies, A New Korean Barbecue Restaurant for Downtown Brooklyn And More Openings, A weekly roundup of new restaurants in New York City, Sign up for the The edifice was sold to John B. Martin, owner of the Martin Hotel, in May 1901. Im not impressed with a waiter that doesnt write down my order. 14oz Double-Cut Bone-In Pork Chop char-grilled and topped with choice of Peach Bellini or Marsala Sauce. The restaurants resplendence is all the more striking as the city suffers bank failures, worthless currency, and economic depression. Amazing restaurant, the manager of the restaurant always passed by our table and asked if everything was ok, very attentive staff as well. From the Collections of the Museum of the City of New York. Restaurant-ing al fresco A chefs life: Charles Ranhfer The (partial) triumph of the doggie bag Early chains: John R. Thompson Anatomy of a restaurateur: Mary Alletta Crump Laddition: on discrimination Between courses: dining with reds Banqueting at $herrys* Who invented lobster Newberg? African-American tea rooms Romantic dinners Flaming swords Theme restaurants: castles Know thy customer Menue [sic] mistakes Waiter, telephone please! Conference-ing Top posts in 2010 Variations on the word restaurant Famous in its day: Buschs Grove Between courses: a Thanksgiving toast Basic fare: French fries Linens and things part II Linens and things part I Menu art Dining in shadows Spotlight on NYC restaurants Laddition: on tipping Taste of a decade: 1870s restaurants He-man menus That glass of water Famous in its day: Tony Fausts Theme restaurants: prisons Laddition: French on the menu, drat it Anatomy of a restaurateur: Romany Marie Between courses: only one? . In the larger cities, New York especially, many couples and families chose to live in hotels and boarding houses rather than run their own households, finding it both cheaper and easier. Cows Milk, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2 Months. Fried to a tender, crisp, golden brown, served with marinara and dijon mustard sauce, enough to share. The sides, mashed potatoes and Brussel sprouts, were amazing! A menu printed on silk for a banquet given in honor of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, later to be crowned King Edward VII, called 'the event of the age,' by the Commercial Advertiser. 1-2 months. Mark Twain and company at Delmonico's, 1905 Museum of the City of NewYork. I pay in specie entirely.. Goat's pasteurized milk, Troy, New York. With 1) Spicy Vodka Sauce, or 2) Marinara Sauce, or 3) Half Vodka & Half Marinara Sauce topped with Gorgonzola. However, no contemporary account exists of this occurrence and Ranhofer himself referred to the dish, in 1894, as "Alaska Florida", apparently referring to the contrast between extremes of heat and cold. The signature dessert is good. I will be back because of the excellent food, attentive service and the "old steakhouse" ambiance. The Brussel sprouts were something you would get at a diner on RT 66. From the Collections of the Museum of the City of New York. Please enter a valid email and try again. . (Ask) Copyright 2023 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 700, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved. Many had cuisine that might be described as ethnically indeterminate, as is illustrated by a menu from San Diego's turn-of-the-century Delmonico which features roast beef, roast pork, or roast mutton served with fried potatoes, bread & butter, and coffee, supplemented by baked beans, omelets, ham & eggs, oysters, and pie. everything was great i'm not sure why people have anything bad to say. It also offered a profusion of dishes including 12 soups, 32 hors doeuvres, 28 entres of beef, 46 of veal, 22 of game, 48 of fish, plus 51 vegetable or egg choices, and 45 pastries, cakes, and other desserts. Avocado, bacon, cucumber, piquillo peppers, blue cheese, egg, and tomato. This restaurant has not received enough recent ratings to display a current ratings snapshot, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Alaskan king crab, chanterelles, and hackleback caviar. Heirloom apple, pistachio, and apple vincotto. *, Main content starts here, tab to start navigating, *All prices are for half pans, and do not include tax.*. Hamburger steak was unknown by that name in the 1830s, first appearing in the 1880s. The word restaurant, when used in this decade, usually had the modifier French preceding it. As one of Long Beach's oldest restaurants, we strive to maintain the original recipes that have made us an institution. In the 19th century and well into the 20th there was absolutely no doubt that Delmonicos was the nations finest restaurant, for decades the only one with a worldwide reputation. And yet nobody, nobody!, ever asked, Can it be true that Americas finest restaurant served cheap doughnuts and whopping great halves of pies? And hamburger, a despised food for the poor until mid-20th century? [4] It eventually became one of the most famous restaurants in New York, with its reputation eventually growing to national prominence. Mob restaurants As the restaurant world turned, July 17 Dining in summer Dining by gaslight Anatomy of a restaurateur: Charles Sarris Womens restaurants Restaurant history day Charge it! Delmonico's announces it will, and won't, reopen amid ownership beef. [12] The interior was gutted thereafter. Best vanilla ice cream Ive ever had. MonSat 5:00 pm10:00 pm, AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa. 2411 E Washington Blvd. Russian troops keep driving to their death at an infamous crossroads in eastern Ukraine. This is our 3rd time eating at Delmonicos, we have had Albert as our waiter each time and hes really great. Hazelnut ice cream, chocolate - pecan crunch. Dishes invented at Delmonico's include Baked Alaska, Delmonico Potatoes, Delmonico Steak, Eggs Benedict and Lobster Newberg. FYI, this restaurant is not accepting orders right now. Substitute with . Charred radicchio salad, lime, and pine nuts. Filet Mignon, pimento cheese, caramelized onions and baguette. Delmonico's is celebrating this historic moment with a special menu created by Gabrielle Hamilton, the James Beard Award-winning chef and owner of Prune, and an invitation-only event for. Urbana Farms leaves, Pharaoh's heirloom aged lemon vinegar, hazelnut, summer berries, and crispy onion. He then moved to 494 Pearl Street where he stayed until 1887 at which time he took a three-year lease at 6 Chatham-Square. Ketel One Vodka & Caravella Limoncello served with a Lemon Twist. Chicken Breasts sauted with Mushrooms, Butter, and Marsala Wine with Angel Hair Pasta. We were there for a long time + gave all the information + my phone to the server who was rude and never successfully used it. Chicken Breasts on sauted Greens with Hot Peppers, Mushrooms, Prosciutto, Provolone, Marsala Sauce & Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Calamari. Delmonico's is the name of various New York City restaurants of varying duration, quality, and fame. Delmonico's Restaurant is still in business, and on their menu, the Delmonico steak is a boneless ribeye. Green tomato jam, avocado crema and yellow chili oil. Which is another oddity since Wenbergs name was usually spelled with an E. -- Trash, garbage, and waste Americas literary chef The smrgsbord saga Meals along the way Dinner in Miami, Dec. 25, 1936 An early restaurateurs rise & fall Runaway menu prices Thanks so much! Tortellini, Broccoli, Mushrooms, Tomatoes, Artichoke Hearts, and Hot Cherry Peppers tossed in a Garlic & Olive Oil Sauce. Filet Mignon, Pimento Cheese, Onions, Baguette. Learn how and when to remove this template message, National Register of Historic Places listings in New York County, New York, "NYC History: Bowery Boys Archive: #58 Delmonico's Restaurant", "History Lessons: Delmonico's, The First Locavore Restaurant", "PODCAST: Delmonico's Restaurant Francais - The Bowery Boys: New York City History", "History of Delmonico's Restaurant and business operations in New York", "Colorado Daily Chieftain May 25, 1876 Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection", "Amid Delmonico's Gilded Age Splendor, Diners Party Like It's 1899", "Historic NYC Steakhouse Delmonico's Future Hinges on an Internal Battle for Ownership", "Landlord Threatens to Evict NYC Institution Delmonico's From Its Historic Home", "Famed NYC Steakhouse Delmonico's Reopening This Fall", "What's Cooking America: "History of Poultry Dishes: Chicken A' La King", "Delmonico's Italian Steakhouse | Home Of The 24oz. Our Story; Fundraisers; Apparel; Contact; Place Order; Select Page. 2. Others, who lived in their own residences, took their meals in nearby hotels or had them delivered by a restaurateur. Restaurants occasionally prepared it tableside in a chafing dish. Toasted pine nuts, bailey hazen blue cheese, grilled bread and aged balsamic. We're always testing new dishes, finding new ingredients, and challenging the idea of fine dining. Today the wedge salad is served internationally. * Items marked as gluten free are or can be made gluten free upon request. Penne Pasta, Grilled Chicken, Mushrooms, Prosciutto, Greens, Red & Green Onions with Asiago Cheese Sauce. Chef Emeril Lagasse's take on the grand American steakhouse. Swingin at Maxwells Plum Happy holidays, eat well Department store restaurants: Marshall Fields Anatomy of a restaurateur: Don Dickerman Taste of a decade: 1860s restaurants The saga of Alices restaurants The brotherhood of the beefsteak dungeon Famous in its day: Maillards Lets do brunch or not? Pickled red onion, feta and market melon. The noise is always an issue, but incredible food! 12 oz of Salmon Filet with Chef's Sauce of the Day over Chef's Choice Risotto. Upon opening, the original Delmonico's offered then-unheard of luxuries such as private dining rooms, an extensive wine cellar, innovative cuisine, and, above . $23.99. Current Executive Chef Billy Oliva, who's been with Delmonico's for the past eight years, says the classics are still the restaurant's most popular dishes. Also they mixed up the temperature of our stakes. According to one observer, worldly young men were becoming knowledgeable about culinary details in the early 1830s. [, Delmonico's, Mark Twain dinner by Byron Company, 1905. If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins. Barnabo. His was a place where the poor and down-and-out found cheap offerings, possibly acquired by the proprietor as leftovers from other restaurants and hotels. Choice of Linguine, Penne, Fettuccine, Rigatoni or Angel Hair. I chose Delmonico's for its history. In 1897 Delmonicos yielded to music and smoking in its hallowed halls, a sign many regarded as evidence of a downhill slide. Took my wife out to dinner for her birthday as she had casually mentioned she wanted to go somewhere historical. Oops. Celebrated a friends birthday. Grate the potatoes into long strips. The service was great though and the steaks were tasty. Delmonico is the best restaurant directly on a Mardi Gras parade route--even though it's closed on Fat Tuesday and Monday. the restaurant served Academy Award Winners Denzel Washington and Whoopi Goldberg. "Out of the Cellar," by Frank J. Prial. . Its possible that it might have been the one in Brooklyn about the time of this dinner. This is a restaurant who gets customers only on name recognition. Served with Penne Marinara. He cleverly used simple, familiar symbols found in the Yellow Pages (except maybe for the gun?). The dish attributed to him became popular in the 1890s and the legend of its naming was oft repeated in this decade. All Rights Reserved, No Kidding? Pigs heads? We recap the Prime Video series Carnival Row Season 2 Episode 6, "Original Sins," which contains spoilers. Apple, caramelized onion and apple vinegar. We will be back. The number of dishes offered at Delmonicos is overwhelming proof that the abbreviated reproduction menu that is commonly displayed and offered for sale online is a fake. [20] In January 2023, Dennis Turcinovic and Joseph Licul signed a new lease on the building. We also offer seasonal and holiday menus. But the newspaper to which he has complained defends the proprietor, asking, Why should any man be compelled to take worthless paper money for his goods and wares? 1835 The popular Alexander Sandy Welsh, president of the Hoboken Turtle Club and famous for his green turtle soup, expands his Terrapin Lunch in New York City and is now able to accommodate 150 seated in small groups. Thats when I got to searching and found Delmonicos which had been open for over 200 years. Veal with Italian Breadcrumbs, topped with Marinara Sauce and Mozzarella Cheese over Angel Hair Pasta. Fill a 10 inch skillet half full with water, add cup white vinegar & bring to slow boil and reduce to a low simmer. Sausage, peppers and fingerling potatoes. 1837 Following the destruction of their restaurant on William Street in the great fire of 1835, the Delmonico brothers open a new 4-story restaurant on the corner of Beaver and William Streets. Whisk to combine. One of the most enjoyable meals with friends I have had. [above: cafe section of Fifth Avenue and 26th Street Delmonicos]. But I did find out that there were many, many clubs with that name all over the United States in the 19th century. The New York Public Library Digital Archives. The earliest known menu from Delmonico's, dating from 1838, includes "Pommes de terre a la maitre d'hotel" (translated on the menu as "Fricasseed potatoes"). Ball in Honor of His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales. Sauce a la Wenberg, American sturgeon caviar and black truffle. Fantastic as always. Avocado, bacon, cucumber, roasted peppers, blue cheese, egg and tomato. [. Ketel One Vodka, Cointreau & Pomegranate Juice. We ordered the aged porterhouse steak with a side of mashed potatoes and asparagus and red wine. Although Benjamin Wenberg may be altogether irrelevant to the story of Lobster Newberg, he was an actual person, a well-known figure in New York City in the 1850s and until his death in 1885. Revolving restaurants II: the Merry-Go-Round Basic fare: shrimp We never close Tablecloths checkered past Famous in its day: Tip Top Inn Find of the day: J.B.G.s French restaurant Dont play with the candles Interview: whos cooking? One story even claims that Ranhofer "introduced New York to the 'alligator pear' or avocado," newly imported from South America.