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).

Share:
More In Culture
Constellation Brands to Invest $100 million in Female-Led Booze Brands
A gender gap persists in most industries, but among the most glaring examples of the disparity can be found in beverage manufacturing ー a business in which men make up roughly 80 percent of executives. In order to close that gap, Constellation Brands ($STZ) has announced it will invest in female-founded beverage companies, beginning with Austin Cocktails and Vivify Beverages.
Los Angeles to Require Businesses to Withhold Straws Unless Requested
Los Angeles is taking a strong stance against single-use plastic straws: the local City Council is moving forward with its "Plastic Straws on Request" initiative with an ultimate goal to phase them out completely by 2021. "This has been a long time coming," Mitch O'Farrell, Los Angeles city council member, told Cheddar Thursday. "I wish that the city had acted 10, 15 years ago."
Bombas Makes Socks That Feel Good and Do Good for the Homeless
When Bombas co-founder Randy Goldberg learned that socks were the most-requested item in homeless shelters, he became "obsessed" ー and turned his fixation into a company so he could solve the shortage. Goldberg told Cheddar he launched Bombas to manufacture a durable, yet comfortable sock that shelters could use.
Luxury Consignment Brand RealReal Expands Brick-and-Mortar Presence
At the very least, consignment brand the RealReal has built a prototype for retail paradise in West Hollywood, Calif., for its new brick-and-mortar location. Cheddar's own Alyssa Julya Smith took a tour of the sprawling store, lined wall-to-wall with luxury handbags, clothing, and accessories.
Neighborhood Goods Is Redefining the Department Store
Neighborhood Goods is modernizing the department store in a neighborhood near you. The retail start-up recently planted its first, 14,000-square-foot, brick-and-mortar location in Plano, Tex., and according to the company's co-founder and CEO, he's eyeing Chicago, Atlanta, D.C., Nashville, or Seattle for his next move.
Load More