The play is set during November in a New Jersey restaurant, newly opened by couple Ellen and Cal, who have everything riding on each night's cash flow.
"What I wanted to do in both Museum (1976) and The Art of Dining was to present a lovely exterior, then seduce the audience into the dark and mysterious places inside.
Directed by A. J. Antoon the play starred Ron Rifkin as Cal, Kathy Bates as Herrick Simmons and Dianne Wiest as Elizabeth Barrow Colt.
For example, in the MRT Productions (Chicago) presentation, the reviewer noted: "A meticulously detailed set, including actual food prepared and savored onstage with mouthwatering sensuality, also contributes to 'The Art of Dining'.
"[6] In a production by the Key City Public Theatre at the Key City Playhouse, Port Townsend, Washington, the reviewer described the stage activity: "... the food is either prepared on set by Steurer [Ellen] — a restaurateur in her other life — and Nollette [Cal], or delivered steaming haute and fragrant from the saute pans of chef Dan Kithcart of nearby Alchemy Bistro and Wine Bar.
The restaurant's chef, Glenn Spindler, also gave two of the actors a crash course on slicing and serving, and preparing the dessert -- flaming crepes suzette...
However, as shown in Tina Howe's play, the more gullible and weak-minded people have greater potential to be affected by these pressures and expectations.
Pressures to entertain during dinner evidently took the focus away from the food, fortunately, as her parents' eating habits turned her stomach.
The audience sees how this has left an individual hunger for normality, balance, comfort, the ability to eat in peace, and in doing so, enjoy food with great thoughts.