Chef George Geary discusses L.A.'s Legendary Restaurants:

Santa Monica Public Library is proud to present chef George Geary, author of L.A.'s Legendary Restaurants, on Thursday, November 9, 2017, at 7:00 pm, in the Main Library's Martin Luther King, Jr. Auditorium, 601 Santa Monica Blvd.

Best-selling cookbook author and chef George Geary takes readers on a journey to the golden age of Hollywood's most famous eateries. His book, L.A.'s Legendary Restaurants: Celebrating the Famous Places Where Hollywood Ate, Drank and Played (Santa Monica Press/October 2016), offers an illustrated history of Los Angeles' landmark eateries. A book sale and signing follows.

From Trader Vic's to Perino's, there are stories to tell and food to talk about. For generations, fans of the big and small screen longed to capture the Hollywood glamour of their favorite stars, most notably where they liked to eat and play. Hollywood lore has it that Elizabeth Taylor had chili from Chasen's flown to the set of Cleopatra in Rome; Howard Hughes and Errol Flynn were regulars at The Cocoanut Grove at The Ambassador Hotel; and Shirley Temple enjoyed ice cream at the Pig 'n Whistle. Iconic Santa Monica establishments Michael's and Chez Jay are among the dozens of classic restaurants featured in Geary's book, along with recipes for favorite dishes of the stars.

This event is part of Santa Monica Eats!, the Santa Monica Public Library's six-week series of programs and displays exploring the food culture of Santa Monica. For a complete list of events, see: smpl.org/santamonicaeats.

Programs are free and open to the public. Space is limited and on a first arrival basis. The Santa Monica Public Library is wheelchair accessible. For disability-related accommodations, call Library Administration at (310) 458-8606 at least one week prior to event. The Main Library is directly served by Big Blue Bus lines 1, R10 and 18. The Expo Line and other bus lines stop nearby. Ride your bike. Bicycle parking racks are available at the library.