Bless Her Heart

But leave it to the French to revolutionize everything…including dining out. 

During the late 1700s, the French began establishing restaurants for a different purpose. 

Dining out became a form of entertainment, no longer just a matter of necessity. 

New Parisian restaurants catered to the needs of both local Parisians and guests. Parisian chefs and cafes placed a priority on creating more “dignified” menu and a greater sense of ambience.  

For the next two centuries, France would continue to dominate the world of international cuisine. These new restaurants became playgrounds for the rich and famous…places to truly see and be seen. 

The United States could not even begin to compete. 

In 1842, Charles Dickens described the food and services offered by Americans boardinghouses and hotels as “horrifying.” 

Gradually throughout the 19th century, American restaurants began to catch up…thanks to the industrialization and urbanization that totally transformed both the American economy and the American landscape.