Chefs at Delmonico's 1902

                                                                 Delmonico’s

Long before Manhattan’s $400 a head gourmet dining “experiences” (Sabayon of Pearl Tapioca with Island Creek Oysters and Sterling White Sturgeon Caviar, anyone?), there was Delmonico’s. Inspired by Parisian restaurants, the Swiss immigrant Delmonico brothers opened a pastry and wine shop in 1827, expanded it to a restaurant, and by the mid-nineteenth century, could boast four Delmonico’s locations throughout Manhattan.

Among the restaurant’s contributions to American dining were offering a menu with choices (as opposed to the set price, no choice offerings standard at the inns that passed as restaurants at the time), private dining rooms, and a separate wine list. Such iconic American dishes as Lobster Newberg and Baked Alaska were also invented at Delmonico’s.

Delmonico’s attracted many rich and powerful patrons including Jack’s nemesis in The Twilight Prisoner, Colonel Mann, who had a regular table at the Fifth Avenue and 26th Street location. Since this location on longer exists, I figured his ghost would probably frequent the remaining Delmonico’s location at 56 Beaver Street. Opened in 1837, the Beaver Street location was built with columns reputedly imported from the ruins of Pompei.