The Probert Encyclopaedia of Food & Drink

RESTAURANT

Restaurants originated in France as an institution for the refreshment of man. Originally restaurants did not advertise their prices, and served well prepared and complex dishes of the highest quality to those who could afford them. By 1900 cheaper restaurants, advertising their prices on menus evolved. In England, restaurants took the place of eating houses - where diners enjoyed roast meats and chops - during the latter half of the 19th century, in 1850 there were less than five first-class restaurants in London, by 1904 every quality hotel in London had a restaurant attached and open to the public. America was quicker to adopt restaurants, with the first opening in New York before any in London.
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