The Word Restaurant

The Roman emperor Vitaleus was the greatest grutton in all history. He spent more than $375,000 a day on food alone. Yet he starved his own mother to death. Believe it or not. In a moment I'll tell you where the word restaurant came from.

Until 1776, eating places were always part of a hotel or inn. Then a chef named Boulanger opened the first public dining place in Paris. He placed a sign in front of his establishment with an adaptation from the famous quotation from Saint-Bantu.

Come unto me, all ye that are hungry and I shall restore you. From that word restore, restorare in French. His place became known as restaurant. This name has since been applied the world over. Be believe it or not.