Classy images of delicious edibles also make great gifts for housewarming parties and celebrating a friend's new business. Whether you pull out the camera to take your own delicious shots, or find existing pictures of the restaurant's staples or the family's top picks, food art makes a kitchen feel homey, tasty, and bright.

PICKING THE PERFECT GIFT

There are plenty of ways you can figure out the best art-related gift to give. You already know you're going the way of amazing food you want to eat off the artwork, but you still need to pick the best display option for their individual personality and decor:

• Snoop around the house or restaurant. Not into drawers and closets, but try to get a feel for the lucky person's decorating scheme. If you see a lot of delicately wallpapers and pastels, you'll probably want to stick with more traditional, soft pictures, such as teatime or Victorian-era place settings. Bold walls? You could go risque with images of strong images of steak and potatoes, or foaming beer.

• Pay attention as you're being given the tour. Do they mention an area they wish was better decorated, or tell you about a color scheme they're planning? If they are regretful of a certain blank wall, try to sneak a measurement so you can order an artwork of the perfect size.

• If you're unable to browse the location, chat with people who know them well. Have they mentioned a style they have in mind for that empty plae above the kitchen table? Do they often moon over the amazing hummus and chips they love to make each weekend?

• If you can't get a specific answer, consider what you know about the person when choosing the best artwork. You probably want to avoid images of foie gras for a vegetarian. If they're wine drinkers (or it's a classy restaurant), don't order a picture of ice cold lager.

• Don't forget to think about the presentation. Do they already have a number of unframed canvases hanging in the space? If so, you might choose to stick with that style, or choose one of our beautiful canvas floater frames to accompany the print.

• If you don't have access to the perfect image, or for any other reason you're unable to select a canvas print or frame, why not let them pick their own, on you! We offer Gift Certificates in custom denominations. We can send the recipient the code via email, or print a physical certificate and mail it straight to them!

ORDERING

Your canvas art will be printed using high quality, archival inks and Epson ink jet printers. Once it is coated with a protective UV- and scratch-resistant semi-matte spray, it will be stretched and affixed around a custom-made pine wood frame. Hanging hardware is attached, and your order is securely packaged and shipped to you.

Our general production turnaround chart is shown below, as well as our extended production times for the winter holiday season.

HISTORY OF RESTAURANTS

In Rome and Ancient China, public eateries were common. They took the form of inns along the road, catering to the farmers and merchants who had to travel long distances to hawk their wares at the market. Though everyone sat together in common halls, there wasn't the array of options we have today. On the menu was whatever the owner of the establishment was serving, based on personal tastes, available goods, and probably, their mood!

In large cities, the residences were so small, some people had nowhere in their home to cook food (they couldn't just plug in a microwave - they needed a fire). And so, the earliest food trucks were vendor stalls in among folks selling bolts of cloth, blacksmiths, and meats. Basically, a primitive form of fast food.

Regardless of the appearance, public places to eat have always served a vital human function: bringing people together.