One hundred and fifty years ago, Delmonico's was the first restaurant to invite women to dine without a male chaperones. Now, in the age of #MeToo, the steakhouse is honoring that meal with a special luncheon menu next week. From from April 23 to 27, diners can choose dishes from a menu set by the chef and New York Times best selling author Gabrielle Hamilton. The menu is inspired by the food women would have ordered in the 19th century at 21st century prices. There will be beef bouillon ($15), Colorado lamb loin chop ($49), brûléed rice pudding, and [more](https://www.delmonicosrestaurant.com/ladies-luncheon-reservation/). "Women's are a very important part of Delmonico's and we are so excited to celebrate this anniversary," said Carin Sarafian, Delmonico's director of sales and marketing. From the time it opened in 1827 until 1868, women couldn't eat at Delmonico's ー or almost any other restaurantー unless they were accompanied by a man. When the all-female Sorosis Club was turned away from a New York Press Club dinner honoring Charles Dickens in 1868, the journalist [Jane Cunningham Croly](https://www.gfwc.org/who-we-are/history-and-mission/jane-cunningham-croly/) organized a ladies-only meal at Delmonico's, which welcomed them. Other restaurants followed suit as women's clubs began to pop up across the country, following the Sorosis Club's example. For full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/150th-anniversary-of-first-ladies-luncheon).
