Main Course

Retro Restaurants to Remember

circa 1955: Piping cassoulet served with a platter of salad, bread, butter, cheese and cherry sorbet for dessert. (Photo by Chaloner Woods/Getty Images)

The early-to-mid 20th centruy saw an explosion of “Continental Fine Dining” restaurants – dark-paneled places with with white tablecloths, where the entrees were named after billionaires, and the desserts were served flaming. Author and nightlife historian Peter Moruzzi toured most of America’s remaining examples of these time-machine restos to write his new book “Classic Dining: Discovering Mid-Century Restaurants.” Rico talks with Peter about it over lobster and martinis at LA’s venerable Musso and Frank Grill. (Follow Peter’s map of classic restaurants to a notable eatery near you.)