The history of the famous bar and restaurant, as told by the current (1996) owner and son of the founder, Giuseppe Cipriani. The author writes of the operations of his famous restaurant, and best of all, gossips about their famous and often aristocratic clientele. There are stories of Hemingway, Welles, Barbara Hutton and Truman Capote. Also, the many incredibly wealthy people who came for a meal and left an impression either from their kindness or their bad manners.
Cipriani writes about the various business deals by people who wanted to borrow on the bar's famous name, and the famous incident in 1987 when the Ciprianis were literally pushed out of their Fifth Ave. restaurant in a hostile takeover. ( )

Delightful little book that shares some of the history of Harry's Bar in Venice Italy. It starts with autobiographical info from the original owner. Then his son takes over the book as well as the bar. Talks about how the bar came into existence, thanks to the help of a wealthy Englishman. Arrigo, the son, talks about how his dad ran came up with the bellini and some of the dishes that the bar is known for. A chapter is devoted to famous people who have frequented the bar with particular emphasis on Hemingway. An almost odd chapter that is devoted to nothing but the tableware and furniture of a restaurant. It's obvious that the author loves his job as a saloonkeeper. The book just really makes you want to go to a lounge somewhere and have cocktails and nice conversations with friends. Reminiscent of time's past when men wore hats and women were always in heels. ( )