When did restaurants which specifically serve foreign food, especially with an exotic atmosphere first become a thing? As I understand it the first restaurants and taverns just served whatever was in season locally or local specialties, so at what point in time did ethnic restaurants start to become an established part of the competition eatery wise?
Just to clarify, do you mean specifically themed restaurants where they were going for the overdone atmosphere to make you feel like you're in China (for example), or just like Chinese restaurants in general? If the latter, I can provide some background