Food plays a large role in the Alienist books and the characters spend a good deal of time in many famous restaurants around New York City meeting up and discussing their investigations. This page contains a list of all the food consumed by each character within the books at various restaurants.
Food in the Books
Brübacher’s Wine Garden Drinks
The team visit Brübacher’s within the books for an evening drink. These particular drinks are ordered during The Alienist when the team received a letter from the killer.
John orders:
- A liter of Würzburger.
Kreizler and Lucius orders:
- A bottle of Didesheimer.
Cafacutee Lafayette Lunch
This lunch is served within The Angel of Darkness when all of the investigative team (including Stevie and Cyrus) are discussing the case.
All share the same entree:
- White wine.
- Hires root beer (for Stevie).
- Platters of oysters.
John orders:
- Brook trout in almond sauce.
Lucius orders:
- Sauteed salmon, green beans, and potatoes.
Marcus orders:
- Broiled baby chicken in tarragon sauce.
Kreizler orders:
- Crab cakes.
Stevie orders:
- Plain-grilled steak and salty fried potatoes.
All share the same desert:
- Fresh strawberries in hot chocolate.
Delmonico’s Breakfast
This breakfast is served at a sad time in The Alienist in the public dining room. It is shared between Mr. Moore and Dr. Kreizler.
- Cucumber fillets.
- Sauteed potatoes.
- Artichoke hearts.
- Truffles.
- Creole eggs.
- Broiled squab.
- Tomato juice.
Delmonico’s Evening Meal
This evening meal is served to the investigative team in the private blue room at Delmonico’s early in The Alienist. All of the characters eat the same meal.
- Platters of oysters, with sherry and bitters.
- Green turtle soul au clair, with amontillado.
- Aiguillettes of bass done in creamy Mornay sauce, with Hochheimer.
- Saddle of lamb gravea la Colbert with Châtea Lagrange.
- Maryland terrapin.
- Sorbet Elsinore.
- Canvasback duck with hominy and a currant gelèe, with Chambertin.
- Petits aspics de foie gras.
- Alliance pears which were steeped in wine, deep fried, powdered with sugar, and smothered in apricot sauce.
- Petits fours.
Delmonico’s Take Away Supper
This “take away” supper was ordered by Dr. Kreizler and brought to 808 Broadway as a reward to the investigative team after a difficult assignment within The Angel of Darkness. It is served in a buffet format (on the billiard table) and characters eat whatever they want.
- Olives and celery.
- Anchovies on toast.
- Pheasant.
- Guinea fowl with ornamental feathers.
- Foie gras aspic.
- Lamb chops.
- Lobster and shrimp salad.
- Rice pudding.
- Small meringues with fruit.
- Neapolitan iced cream.
- Champagne, wine, and beer.
- Plain-grilled steak with fried potatoes (for Stevie).
- Root beer (for Stevie).
- Fillets of raw beef (for Mike the ferret).
Homecooked Lunch
This is the first meal the team eats at Mr. Picton’s house within The Angel of Darkness. It is cooked by Mrs. Hastings, Rupert’s housekeeper.
- Chicken.
- Brook trout.
- Sweet peas.
- Baby carrots.
- Mashed potatoes.
- Claret.
- Root beer.
Homecooked Evening Meal
As with the previous lunch, this meal is cooked by Mr. Picton’s housekeeper within The Angel of Darkness. It is part of a celebration for what is seen as a good result in the investigation.
- Roast capon.
- Cold curried lamb with raisins.
- Variety of potatoes (including salty fried ones for Stevie).
- Young vegetables from local farms.
- Fresh strawberry shortcake.
- Homemade ices.
- Champagne, wine, and root beer.