The Most Spectacular Restaurant in the World

The Twin Towers, Windows on the World, and the Rebirth of New York

By: Tom Roston

Narrated by: Richard Ferrone

The remarkable story of a restaurant on top of the world - built by a legend, destroyed in tragedy - and an era in New York City it helped to frame

In the 1970s, New York City was plagued by crime, filth, and an ineffective government. The city was falling apart, and even the newly constructed World Trade Center threatened to be a fiasco. But in April 1976, a quarter-mile up on the 107th floor of the North Tower, a new restaurant called Windows on the World opened its doors - a glittering sign that New York wasn't done just yet.

In The Most Spectacular Restaurant in the World, journalist Tom Roston tells the complete history of this incredible restaurant, from its stunning $14-million opening to 9/11 and its tragic end. There are stories of the people behind it, such as Joe Baum, the celebrated restaurateur, who was said to be the only man who could outspend an unlimited budget; the well-tipped waiters; and the cavalcade of famous guests, as well as everyday people celebrating the key moments in their lives. Roston also charts the changes in American food, from baroque and theatrical to locally sourced and organic. Built on nearly 150 original interviews, The Most Spectacular Restaurant in the World is the story of New York City's restaurant culture and the quintessential American drive to succeed.

©2019 Tom Roston. Published in 2019 by Abrams Press, an imprint of Abrams, Inc. All rights reserved (P)2019 Blackstone Publishing

Thorough and Detailed History

I enjoyed learning about the restaurant and how it came about and evolved over the years. I wish there had been more time spent on 9/11, which got such little page time compared to other, less important events in the restaurant's life. At times this felt like a history of the NY dining scene or even a biography of Joe Baum since it told about many other restaurants and how they came about and the dining scene evolved. It also included all of the restaurants in the World Trade Center. Still, mostly an absorbing read and a nice piece of history. For those who would be bothered by it, there was a LOT of bad language and F-bombs. That was an unpleasant surprise. Other than that, a really interesting book.

Incredible story of a great restaurant and a great city

I had the fortune to have lunch one day at the bar at Windows on the World in 1998. The book tells the story of the restaurant’s tragic end, but it is much more than that. It is a story about 20th century NYC, the birth of modern fine dining, and of the lives of people affected by the restaurant. This is worth a listen.

Great history of World Trade Center and NYC

Great info about the twin towers as well an informative history of NYC from 1960’s-2001. First rate.

History and heartbreak

Excellent book about a New York landmark that was destroyed on 9/11. Worth the listen.

Windows on the world

Terrific story about 911. Author told history of restaurant business in New York beautifully. Reader was just perfect because he sounded like a native of new york