The Matchcover Storyteller

Christ Cella was a legendary New York City steakhouse that operated from 1926 to 1996. The New York Times called it a” pillar in the pantheon of New York steakhouses”.
It was created by Christopher Cella as a speakeasy on E. 45th Street before moving to 160 E. 46th Street in 1955, just a couple of blocks north of the Chrysler Building. The place was famous for its thick-cut steaks and chops and was unapologetic about the price it charged for them. In 1975, The Times noted only 5 truly four-star restaurants and called Christ Cella simply “the best steakhouse in New York City”. The overall article was tough, its standards for a four-star incredibly strict!

But by 1985, the same paper said it was deteriorating with age, exhibiting “a faded almost sad patina” and by 1994, the Times couldn’t recommend it at all, mainly on prices it called “obscene”.

It was sold in August 1995, closed, renovated and today it’s Aretsky’s Patroon. The current house tries to honor what was once a king of NYC steakhouses and the two-story restaurant remains one of the few buildings in that neighborhood still operating as a restaurant the way it was originally designed.

I have only this one 20-strike matchcover from Diamond; there is at least one older design and then several minor variations on this one. Combo creators won’t find a menu anywhere — Christ Cella didn’t have them.