Object Lessons is a series of short beautifully designed books about the hidden lives of
ordinary things. In the last few decades restaurants and food culture have achieved
extraordinary cultural presence. Chefs are heroes and thought leaders well-executed entrées go
viral dining out has become theater plating has become art and ubiquitous Instagram content.
But in recent years restaurants have faced crisis upon crisis. Restaurant takes a deep dive
into the drives desires and anxieties we bring to dining out at this time of uncertainty. It
explores the meaning we find in good food and warm hospitality. It shows why the restaurant
offers unique opportunities to change the quality of our engagement with others and to create
shared meaning across the table
