Your Table Is Ready: Tales of a New York City Maître D'

Michael Cecchi-Azzolina spent decades as a maître d'hotel at New York City's most sought-after restaurants, managing the front of the house for an array of clientele—from celebrities and royalty to the financially struggling—all seeking visibility or curiosity at the city's hottest dining establishments. His phone number circulated among those seeking favor during an era when restaurants became the primary social theater of New York. Your Table Is Ready offers access to venues that shaped the city's dining landscape: Raoul's in Soho, the River Café in Brooklyn, Minetta Tavern, and Le Coucou in Nolita, described as possibly the most beautiful room in New York City in 2018. Cecchi-Azzolina's career spans from serving theater figures like Tennessee Williams and Dustin Hoffman at La Rousse through the final pre-pandemic nights at Le Coucou. The memoir examines how restaurants operate, the economics affecting owners and staff, and the distinctive ecosystem of professionals who work in the industry—a world combining grueling conditions with theatrical spectacle. Cecchi-Azzolina details the demanding nature of both patrons and the business itself.