The Restaurant: A History of Eating Out

Written by William Sitwell

Narrated by William Sitwell

AS READ ON BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK.
The fascinating story of how we have gone out to eat, from the ancient Romans in Pompeii to the luxurious Michelin-starred restaurants of today.

Tracing its earliest incarnations in the city of Pompeii, where Sitwell is stunned by the sophistication of the dining scene, this is a romp through history as we meet the characters and discover the events that shape the way we eat today. Sitwell, restaurant critic for the Daily Telegraph and famous for his acerbic criticisms on the hit BBC show MasterChef, tackles this enormous subject with his typical wit and precision. He spies influences from an ancient traveller of the Muslim world, revels in the unintended consequences for nascent fine dining of the French Revolution, reveals in full hideous glory the post-Second World War dining scene in the UK and fathoms the birth of sensitive gastronomy in the US counterculture of the 1960s.

This is a story of the ingenuity of the human race as individuals endeavour to do that most fundamental of things: to feed people. It is a story of art, politics, revolution, desperate need and decadent pleasure. Sitwell, a familiar face in the UK and a figure known for the controversy he attracts, provides anyone who loves to dine out, or who loves history, or who simply loves a good read with an accessible and humorous history. The Restaurant is jam-packed with extraordinary facts; a book to read eagerly from start to finish or to spend glorious moments dipping in to.
 
It may be William Sitwell’s History of Eating Out, but it’s also the definitive story of one of the cornerstones of our culture.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio UK
• Release date: Apr 9, 2020
• ISBN: 9781471191350

William Sitwell

William Sitwell is one of Britain's leading food writers. He is restaurant critic for The Telegraph,  a frequent presenter and guest on TV and radio and one of the long-standing critics on the hit BBC show MasterChef. He also entertains diners with William Sitwell’s Supper Club, providing exceptional food in extraordinary locations. www.williamsitwell.com  

Reviews for The Restaurant

[Jordan · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Pretty terrible. The first third (Rome through French Revolution), and a few other spots like the sushi train are interesting. The last third is an utterly worthless focus on the bitchy, gossipy, inaccessible world of elite restaurants in London and a bit of France. That's all.

There's nothing on the economics of restaurants or food production. Nothing on labor, training, etc. Virtually nothing on the vast middle class of restaurants that most people interact with week to week. Fast food gets a dismissive chapter, but with very little nuance. Nothing about how these chains have figured into global events. No Big Mac index, no McDonald's in Red Square, nothing.

I want my eight hours back.

[Kathy Miller · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Incredibly eurocentric. A country outside The West isn't mentioned until chaper 13, and then only because the techniques spread to Europe and America.

The author (who is also the reader) does this weird lip smacking sound every few sentences that made listening to this book unpleasant. I almost didn't finish it.

[Cassie T. · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Mostly non-food discussion, then some recitation of menus or diets. It first discusses Pompeii, but doesn't connect it to anything. Ottoman Empire mostly focused on what the Sultan ate and gives fewer pages to the common people's menu. Gave up in the third topic, telling me about a world hopper, because it had yet to really discuss a history of eating out.

[Jocelyne Ortega · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

If I could give 0 stars, I would. The narrator/author smacks their lips every other sentence and it’s disgusting and also incredibly distracting. Not to mention the pretentious attitude

[Stéphane Theurich · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really insightful as to the history behind restaurants. The audiobook was well read.

[Diana Walsh · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I was enjoying the book until the author decided to include a remark about "the Columbian exchange". No doubt in his mind he probably thought was funny. However, in reality this sort of ignorant comments just contributes to the stereotype of Colombians as drug dealers. As a Colombian myself, I find it quite offensive

[Dave Radlauer · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Moves at a brisk pace through a European history of dining outside the home from earliest times until today.

Plenty of fascinating digressions keep the story vivid.

Excellent narration is lilting and upbeat at a good pace without rushing and just a touch of dry humor.

Rewarding listening.

[PeterBartlett3435 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An enjoyable read which answers the gastronomic questions you forgot to ask. I preferred the pre-modern chapters.

[Janice Willsher · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Interesting and made me make focaccia listening to the first chapter. Enjoyed imagining food eaten at different times. Easy listening and relaxing.

[Marcelino Decena · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Vivid description of food historu and culture across the world.

[Meenal Agarwal · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved how it was read , without any affectations and the content

[Sandra Mian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved the book, the way it is written and the new information I got. Could be deeper, for sure. But quite good anyway.
I also love when the writer read the book, it is a plus for me. His voice is really nice ... BUT... and here why one star is taken: I could here is saliva being swallowed all the time... Sometimes I could not even pay attention to what I was listing so much it disturbed me. Like an anxiety poking me "will I hear that sound again at the end of the phrase?".
Maybe someone could edit it and at least minimize that sound. Or maybe it is me, a little crazy.
Anyway, I'm almost sure people will enjoy the book it they are new with this subject.