I prepared a new post for today, but with the grotesque events happening in Ukraine, the invasion worsening by the hour as Russia attacks daycare centers and residential housing, it seems so wrong to post it.
For that matter, I feel that over the past couple of years I haven’t seriously acknowledged the effects of Covid on restaurants. When it all began – which now seems long ago – I wrote a post on the effects of the 1918 influenza pandemic on restaurants, noting a number of responses similar to what has happened recently. But since then I haven’t really dealt with the difficulties contemporary restaurants have been having, with staff miseries and shrinkage, shifts to carry out, disappearance of printed menus, mass closings, etc. I hope to come up with some new themes that touch upon historical precedents. For example, there was terrific difficulty in hiring restaurant kitchen and dining room staff during WWII. I could look at how restaurants dealt with that problem.
If you want to read something new today, I recommend some of my “old” posts that still seem to hold up. Since I’ve been doing this since 2008, there are many to choose from. Some have few likes which is because when I started blogging there was no “like” button!
Here are some of my personal favorites:
The (partial) triumph of the doggie bag
Once upon a time it was embarrassing to ask for a doggie bag.
That glass of water
Visitors from other countries are always surprised at getting a glass of water without asking.
No smoking!
Ending smoking in restaurants was a long struggle.
Deep fried
Where would restaurants be without deep frying?
You want cheese with that?
Everything’s better with cheese, right?
Chocolate on the menu
It all started with cups of hot chocolate.
Basic fare: club sandwiches
How a mere sandwich became a classic.
Take care,
It's great to hear from readers and I take time to answer queries. I can't always find what you are looking for, but I do appreciate getting thank yous no matter what the outcome.
Restaurant-ing through history 
Great reading. Thank you.
Usually I’m disappointed when one of my favorite bloggers takes time off, but you make even ‘nothing new today’ worth reading. Enjoy some down time, peace on earth, and maybe I’ll see you at the (metaphysical) diner! 🙂
Thank you. It won’t be long, but I like the elusive diner!
Can it be that Restaurant-ing through history is a one woman operation? I really thought that you were a team of people. I owned a restaurant for over forty years. Love your blog. Karen
Sent from my hand computer. ________________________________
Thanks! I may sometimes exhibit a split personality, but I am only one person.
Jan- I’ve been enjoying your posts all these years. I’m glad for you that you’re taking a break. If there’s anything these past two years and now these recent wold events have shown me is that taking care of yourself is extremely important.
I’ll browse through the oldies but goodies, and look forward to and treasure reading any future posts. Take care. Maria Joseph (we met at NY food conference many years ago)
Sent from my iPhone
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Thanks, Maria. I remember you too.
Thanks for the sharing of knowledge and for all the memories to share. We appreciate you very much!
And I appreciate my readers!