One of the original and the most famous iteration was operated by the Delmonico family at 56 Beaver Street in Lower Manhattan during the 19th and early 20th centuries, when it gained a reputation as one of the nation's top fine dining establishments. The birthplace of the widely imitated Delmonico steak, the restaurant is credited with being one of the first American restaurants to allow patrons to order from a menu "à la carte", as opposed to "table d'hôte". It is also said to be the first to employ a separate wine list.