La Bonne Table

by Ludwig Bemelmans (Artist)

Here is the best of Bemelmans on the subject he loved most: la bonne table. The entrancing memories and charming pictures assembled here transport the reader behind the scenes of the great hotels of Europe and America – including the immortal “Hotel Splendide” – and such restaurants as the Tour d’Argent in Paris and Le Pavillon in New York. Memorable dishes, the eccentric geniuses of the kitchens who created them, the opulent and often astonishing patrons who ordered them, the legendary wines and the occasions they toasted, are all evoked in rich and piquant flavor.

Genres: Food, Nonfiction, Cooking, Cookbooks, Essays, Culinary, Food and Drink

446 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1989

About the author

Ludwig Bemelmans, Austrian-American illustrator, wrote books, such as Madeline in 1939, for children, and his experiences in the restaurant business based Hotel Splendide , adult fiction in 1940.

People internationally knew Ludwig Bemelmans, an author and a gourmand. People today most note his six publications to 1961. After his death, people discovered and posthumously published a seventh in 1999.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_...

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anthony Bourdain told me to read it, and I am so glad I did. We just don't get books like this anymore, full of humor and life and snark, with charming illustrations to boot. A must for anyone who loves to eat.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

DEVASTATED TO FINISH, I stretched out my enjoyment as long as I could! What a masterpiece. Will treasure forever. I love Bemelmans 😭❤️

[Reyna Eisenstark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best known (to us) as the guy who wrote the Madeline books, Bemelmans actually wrote a lot about food and eating and restaurants and this is a collection of much of that writing. My favorite part was the first section, which described his time working in the kitchen of the fanciest restaurants in the 30s and 40s. There was a great part in the final section in which a screenwriter navigates his way through L.A. With Madeline-esque illustrations throughout.

[Corinne M Westphal · Rating 4 out of 5]

You probably know Bemelmans best as the author of the children's book, Madeline, or perhaps from his illustrations in The New Yorker magazine. With the same charm, Bemelmans delights the reader with a collection of essays about his gastronomic world. A must for the traveler and particularly the true foodie. An easy read that I return to periodically just for fun.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first section — when he describes working in restaurants early in his career— is delightful and absorbing. The last third of the book ... meh

[False · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here is the best of Bemelmans on the subject he loved most: la bonne table. The entrancing memories and charming pictures assembled here transport the reader behind the scenes of the great hotels of Europe and America – including the immortal “Hotel Splendide” – and such restaurants as the Tour d’Argent in Paris and Le Pavillon in New York. Memorable dishes, the eccentric geniuses of the kitchens who created them, the opulent and often astonishing patrons who ordered them, the legendary wines and the occasions they toasted, are all evoked in rich and piquant flavor.

The gifted and exuberant Ludwig Bemelmans was trained as a boy for a career as a restauranteur, and La Bonne Table is in effect his gastonomical autobiography. The high – and sometimes riotous low – points of his life with food, from Austrian cafes to the late, lamented Ritz of New York, are narrated with delight and zest as he celebrates beer and sausages, pressed duck and caviar, and the chefs who cooked for him. He remembers with decidedly mixed emotions the ways of the busboy and the waiter, and the qualities that make up the perfect maitre d’. He muses over great menus and great eaters – and soon makes the reader very hungry. Here, truly, is a feast of reading, as a lost world of luxury and elegance is brilliantly evoked and savored. Bemelmans’ extraordinary charm captivated all who met him; it glows through the pages of La Bonne Table.

This was a first edition, long out of print, until a reissue by Godine. I added the photograph to Goodreads. Worth it for the illustrations, reprints of old menus and the charming writing of an age gone by.

[Pam Mertens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful vignettes of life in and around restaurants both high and low, European and American, told from the perspective of an insider, one who was raised to be in the restaurant business. I loved that the book could be picked up and put down without losing track of a story, and found La Bonne Table to be perfect for however much time could be found for reading. I especially liked the tale of his short venture into the world of what came to be known as "fat camps" - a laugh-out-loud description of deprivation. From the author of the Madeleine stories.

[Dusty Deming · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love love love Bemelmans. I will never finish this book. It will be permanently on my coffee table to pick up and reread. It's a collection of articles and reviews and columns he wrote over many years and it is a delight--opening up the elegant, delicious world of 1940s and 1950s hotels and restaurants in Europe and NYC.

[Taranee Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this years ago because Anthony Bourdain recommended it, and only just now got around to finishing it. The drawings were very cute and charming, and the menu replicas were amazing. Truly a bygone era. Overall though this was a six course gourmet meal from 1935 with wine, champagne, and white gloves serving pressed duck, oysters and caviar when all I really want is slices of jambon on a French baguette smeared with grassy European butter al fresco in the park.

[Karen Jenkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some very entertaining stories about his experiences with different restaurants, and his drawings enhanced some of them. I admit I began to lose interest as the latter part of the book was stories, not his actual experiences.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Writing ok; illustrations charming.

[Travelmaven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute short stories about the author's time in NYC and various restaurants he worked at.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a detailed view into the highest levels of dining during the first half of the 20th century. This book takes you into the past with such vivid details only a keen observer on the inside would notice. The variety that the book covers is also astounding yet the book is very easy to read with most stories only lasting a few pages. The illustrations inside, done by Bemelman himself, give the book so much character. I would almost describe his writing as Wodehouseish in that all subjects take on a light carefree character.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

By our friend, Ludwig Bemelmans, the author of Madeline! Much like my previously highly recommend New Yorker Guide to Food and Drink, it makes one wish highly regarded french restaurants were as frequent to be found as Applebee's around here. This particular collection is a little too generous in inclusion, but you can usually figure out which ones to skip.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really light-hearted charming look at travel and food from an era that's (unfortunately) past. This was an easy book to pick up and put down, and the stories are a little uneven. However, it's easy to see why Bemelmans was so likeable and popular as a guest. The drawings are wonderful. This book will make you hungry!

[Joanne]

This is a collection of essays, drawings and musings of the author as he describes the "behind the scenes" action at several elite Parisian restuarants when he was a young man. He talks about the head waiters, the junior waiters, the food scene at the time, etc. It was entertaining, but I just grew tired of it.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know those books that are like your favorite comfort food, or most beloved stuffed animal? This is my comfort read. I've owned a copy for 20+ years, and must have read it 20+ times.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Totally charming. How can you go wrong when one of the main characters is named the Count of St. Cucuface?

[Deborah Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun collection of essays, lent to me by Cynthia Kendrick. It made me long to revisit Paris, that's for sure.

[Dianne Oliver · Rating 2 out of 5]

just could not get into the stories, although I completely loved the illustrations and idea of the book and love Madeline, of course. maybe I just tried reading it while too distracted.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very charming. If you love the "Madeline" books, you will like this. Bemelmans is fun, and of a time and place.