Designing a menu cover that defines a restaurant with a single graphic is exceptionally challenging. When done right, the result is a work of art. Here are some of my favorites that are featured in “Classic Dining.”
If you click on each menu a large high-resolution version will appear.
The Newarker of 1952 at the Newark Airport was Restaurant Associates’ first foray into fine dining. It preceded their Four Seasons in Manhattan by 8 years
La Fonda del Sol was a Restaurant Associates property that opened in 1960 at the Time-Life Building in Manhattan.
Las Vegas’ Riviera opened in the mid-50s. It’s Hickory Room was a top drawer steakhouse.
Las Vegas’ Sahara and its Congo Room appeared in 1952
The Dunes’ Dome of the Sea was a 1964 apparition by architect Milton M. Schwartz.
Bacchanal at Caesar’s Palace was over-the-top in 1966.
The Boulevard Room was in the Conrad Hilton in Chicago
The Traders was the original name for Trader Vic’s in Chicago’s Palmer House
The decadence of the Fontainebleau’s Fleur de Lis Room in Miami Beach topped them all
The Town & Country was Dallas’ finest restaurant in the 1950s
This Beverly Hills Lawry’s menu is from 1958
Peter Moruzzi's Mid-Century 
La Fonda del Sol is one of my favorites too.
LikeLike
I’ve been following and reading your posts for years and marvel at the variety of stories you’ve gleaned from the history of American dining. Thanks for your excellent work. If you haven’t already done a post about menu covers, feel free to borrow the images/info I posted.
LikeLike
I ordered your book, should be here Nov. 3 – I will need the “official autograph’ Also we should have all 3 of your books for sale on the Modcom website.
LikeLike