Boston Rathskeller Restaurant Menu 1940s w-Luncheon Insert

🍽️ **Boston’s Rathskeller Restaurant Menu — 1940s with Original Luncheon Insert**
*The American House, Kenmore Square — later legendary as “The Rat” concert venue*

**HISTORICAL CONTEXT**

The Rathskeller operated under the American House hotel in Boston’s Kenmore Square, serving French and German cuisine from its basement dining room. The restaurant was known for its extensive menu featuring game birds, fresh oysters, and steaks served “sufficient for two” — the era’s signature table d’hote style. Vegetables, milk, and eggs came from the hotel’s own Elm Hill Farm in Reading, Massachusetts. The building at 528 Kenmore Square was demolished in 1997 and replaced by the Hotel Commonwealth.

**THE MENU**

This complete menu set includes the main Rathskeller menu with French Specials (Chateaubriand a la Cheron $3.00, Filet Mignon Rathskeller $1.75), German Specials (Wiener Schnitzel 85c, Hungarian Goulash 75c, Westphalian Ham 75c), and an extensive steak selection from Breakfast Sirloin (60c) through Club Sirloin for 8 persons ($5.25). The A la Carte section lists game birds (Canvasback Duck, Woodcock, Venison), cold meats (Terrin de Foi de Gras), salads (Waldorf, Lobster), sandwiches (Hot Baltimore Club), eggs (12 omelette varieties), preserves, ice creams (The Mikado, Lillian Russell), cheese (14 varieties including Baked Roquefort a la Rathskeller), and desserts.

Also included is the original luncheon insert dated Monday, August 9th, with its own menu of oysters, soups (Consomme Julienne with Italian Paste, Mock Turtle a l’Anglaise), fish (Baked Halibut, Soft Shell Crabs), roasts, entrees, game poultry, and vegetables served from noon to 3 p.m.

**COVER ART AND DESIGN**

The cover features a folk-art style illustration of a domestic scene — a man with a mug at a table wearing striped trousers, a woman in a white headdress, a child, and a black cat — all framed by a double-lined border on aged tan paper. “Rathskeller” appears in decorative gothic serif type, with “Under American House, Boston” below. The interior pages use red section headings on aged cream paper with dotted price leaders, typical of 1940s restaurant printing.

**WHY IT MATTERS**

– Complete menu set with rare dated luncheon insert (August 9th)
– Documents 1940s dining prices and cuisine at one of Boston’s most famous restaurants
– The same Kenmore Square location became “The Rat” (1974-1997), where The Ramones, Pixies, U2, Talking Heads, R.E.M., Metallica, Joan Jett, Blondie, The Cars, The Police, Patti Smith, Tom Petty, The Jam, and dozens of other iconic acts performed
– Menu items include Fresh Astrakan Caviar ($2.00), Baked Alaska (50c), and Chateaubriand ($3.00)
– Accompanying photos show the building exterior and a concert performance with Devo banners

**FOR COLLECTORS**

A tangible piece of Boston dining and music history in one package. The Rathskeller building was demolished in 1997 and replaced by the Hotel Commonwealth, making original menus from the restaurant increasingly scarce. The 1940s dating is based on the ephemera collection provenance — all items in the source box dated to the Forties.

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**CONDITION:**
See accompanying images for full condition details.

Will ship promptly, carefully packaged.

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