The Historic Shops and Restaurants of New York: A Guide to Century-Old Establishments in the City (Historic Shops & Restaurants Series) [Hardcover]

Ellen Williams (Author), Steve Radlauer (Author)

Book Description

Series: Little Bookroom: Historic Shops & Restaurants | Publication Date: October 1, 2002

Discover the bygone city of Mark Twain and Stanford White, Harry Houdini and Edith Wharton in the venerable shops and restaurants that have served discriminating New Yorkers for generations. In Old World dining rooms, gaslit saloons, at jewelers, tobacconists, apothecaries, and more, these are the establishments that have endured by offering highly desirable goods and dining experiences. Visit the tavern where George Washington bade farewell to his troops, the haberdashery where Abe Lincoln traded in his backwoods cap for a more distinguished stovepipe hat, the Lower East Side delis, the coffee merchants of Greenwich Village, the purveyors of riding boots, andirons, brass beds, and nautical charts. From world-famous department stores to humble pasta-makers, this volume is a charming and useful guide to the living landmarks of New York.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a lovely travel companion..." -- The Washington Post

"This small but stately book offers a different way of seeing the city...and a wealth of details." -- The Los Angeles Times

About the Author

ELLEN WILLIAMS is the author of The Historic Restaurants of Paris, Picasso’s Paris, and the award-winning The Impressionists’ Paris. She edited Alexander Liberman’s The Artist In his Studio and Keith Haring Journals. She was born in Greenwich Village, where she lives with her daughter.

STEVE RADLAUER is the author or co-author of five books and numerous articles for a range of publications including New York magazine, Esquire, Spy, The New York Times, and The Los Angeles Times. He is a native New Yorker.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 350 pages
• Publisher: Little Bookroom (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1892145154
• ISBN-13: 978-1892145154
• Product Dimensions: 4.3 x 1.2 x 6.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #777,110 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for New Yorkers!, December 11, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Historic Shops and Restaurants of New York: A Guide to Century-Old Establishments in the City (Historic Shops & Restaurants Series) (Hardcover)

I am a native New Yorker who has spent the past five years living in other cities, and being a little homesick, I still read the New York Times every day.

As I was reading the morning paper, I found an ad for this book, ordered it, and immediately fell in love with it! It is beuatifully laid out and wonderfully written. What's more, I always thought that I knew a ton about the city, but I learned so much from reading this book -- I had no idea that some of the restaurants and shops reviewed in the novel were so old. I also read about some really interesting places that I had never heard of.

I plan to give this book as a holiday gift to all of my fellow New Yorker friends -- both to those who are far away from the city they love, and to those who are right at home!

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even New Yorkers Need This Book!, September 6, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Historic Shops and Restaurants of New York: A Guide to Century-Old Establishments in the City (Historic Shops & Restaurants Series) (Hardcover)

New York can be a shopping paradise or shopping hell. One thing that anyone can always use is a real New Yorker to guide one through the city. That's what this book is. It's like having a best friend show you the way around, to the best places, the best shops you don't find in travel guides or online.

As a former New Yorker, this book took me back to the streets, the way it is to really experience it -- on foot, not from a taxicab or a rental car. The authors clearly know their way around. From bargains to classics to places just full of colourful history and anecdotes, it's a holiday guide for more than just shoppers. In fact, even New Yorkers will benefit from the pages of info, presented in a fun-filled, rewarding style. There are places I'd gone to for years and yet never knew so much about until reading this book. In fact, it's so much fun, it's like a weekend in New York. Okay, maybe not, but it sure will make you want to get there.

Now if we could only get one like this for Los Angeles... Oops, wait, that's impossible. I think I'm just missing New York...

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Old friends., June 27, 2008

By 

H. Arnholt (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Historic Shops and Restaurants of New York: A Guide to Century-Old Establishments in the City (Historic Shops & Restaurants Series) (Hardcover)

The listings in this book are like old friends. See them before they all fade away.