"History students and Victorian enthusiasts looking for comprehensive information on the dining practices of Victorian America will find this book a vital resource. Revealing the history of 19th-century dining, clothing, and etiquette, the volume includes sample menus and explicit instructions on how to re-create a Victorian dinner, tea, breakfast, or lunch in the 21st century.

The different dining styles and how they evolved into rituals of the era are explained, and then a formal dinner is examined course by course. In addition, the Schollanders present the history and uses of various wines and how they were matched with different foods. Collectors of china, crystal, and silver will also find this book helpful as it provides a photograph of each piece of tableware that was used, along with a history and description of the item."--BOOK JACKET.