Customer Reviews

Lundy's : reminiscences and recipes from Brooklyn's legendary restaurant

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I frequented Lundy's when I lived in New York many years ago. It is the only restaurant of which I still remember the marvelous food. The cookbook and history makes me feel that I am still there! I've tried several of the recipes. They are so delicious and reminiscent that they are almost haunting. A true gift to give anyone who grew up in New York. Judy

I bought this book because I was attracted to the many reviews and descriptions extolling the wonderful food and great retelling of the restaurant's illustrious history. The authors have done an excellent job of detailing the restaurant's founder and the institution's beginnings.

However, I was most disappointed that more space was given to the history and not to the recipes. It was also indicated that the recipes are not the originals, but are re-creations of the originals.

In fairness, the recipes are enticing and include some of the most tempting seafood recipes I have come across in one book.

However, to get the most out of this book, I recommend that you should at least have been to Lundy's (or at least be familiar with the Sheepshead Bay area); and have plenty of fresh seafood (lobster, crab, and oysters) at your disposal in order to try the recipes. Without those, this book may be a disappointment, like it was for me.

I am a direct relative of Fedrick Willaim Irving Lundy and I can tell you that none of the recipes in this book are true Lundy recipes. Our family never gave the recipes away. The people who took over Lundy's in the 90's took our name and claim their recipes as Lundy's recipes. I find it sad that so many people don't know this.

For those of you who have never set foot in Brooklyn's Sheepshead Bay, Lundy's may not be a familiar name. But for the thousands (millions?) who ate at the famed restaurant from its opening at the height of the Depression to the beginning of its 16-year hiatus in 1979, this book will evoke powerful memories.

Lundy's was an immense establishment, seating 2,800 patrons in its heyday, but the enormousness of the space was second to its food. The food was not only excellent, according to nearly every source listed--the portions were in keeping with the grandiose feel of the building itself. Author/historian Robert Cornfield writes, "The oddity is that for all its great size, simple fare, crows, and noise, Lundy's was not a cold, impersonal restaurant, but was replete with community excitement, curiosity, warmth, and the delirious happiness of a splendid holiday."

Lundy's was, for the mostly immigrant population of Brooklyn, New York, the pinnacle of the American experience: plenty, and plenty of it. The recipes are mostly an adjunct to what amounts to a love letter written to the restaurant which fed Brooklyn's appetite for more of nearly everything. This is a wonderful book for anyone who ever enjoyed a meal at Lundy's, and a necessary record of Brooklyn in the mid-20th century.

As the great-granddaughter of a Sheepshead Bay restauranteur, this book was a great family find. I am ordering more to send to others in the family. My mother remembers all of the terrific dishes that are in the book, especially the "shore dinner." However, I am told the the reference to Billy Shierr"s restaurant is incorrect. My great-grandfather's was named Eddie Sheirr, and that was also the name of his restaurant. Some of you will remember it (or him) being called "Hook" Shierr's. He had a large nose.

This is a beautiful book that I purchased for my boss who has a tie to the Lundy family. My only disappointment was that I was sure I was purchasing it new and it came used with inscriptions and all. Book has lots of background and history. Would have liked it new...I certainly paid the "new" price.

My Mother n Father went to this Reataurnt..They took me as a child
My husband n I took my son as a child,and
he loved it..I bought this book for him..He loves
the shrimp cocktails they served..so the recipes
are for him..Thanks Amazon for having this book..

This book is a wonderful combination of a nostalgic look at a Brooklyn landmark restaurant and a compendium of its recipes. In the first section Lundy's is placed in the greater historical context of Brooklyn in the 19th and 20th centuries. There follows a detailed Lundy family biography and an entertaining collection of reminiscences from people who enjoyed Lundy's over the years. There are many illustrations and the anecdotes range from the hilarious to the touching. The author, a lifelong Brooklyn native, has put together a delightful book on a unique slice of Brooklyn life. A must have for Brooklyn baby boomers, expatriates and lovers of nostalgia in general!

PS the recipes are great too...all of you who were wondering just HOW to recreate those incredible biscuits now have the secret.

I enjoyed it but I wish it included an address of the restaurant and phone number so I could send my folks a gift certificate for an evening of nostalgia. Anyone know it?