Western Dining at the Nut Tree (Variant 2)

Located in Vacaville, California, on Interstate 80, the Nut Tree originated as a fruit stand in 1921 and by the mid-century had evolved to become a landmark roadside destination for travelers between the Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. As Diane Power Zimmerman explains in Nut Tree: From a California Ranch to a Design, Food, and Hospitality “ for seventy-five years, Nut Tree defined Western food, mid-century design, and cutting-edge hospitality.” As evidenced at the table at left, the Nut Tree was at one time the second largest importer of pineapple on the entire West Coast and offered a trademark appetizer of pineapple slices with a fresh marshmallow sauce. Dining was just one facet of the overall Nut Tree experience, which also included aviaries stocked with exotic birds, ceramic flowers sculpted by Stan Bitters, a scale train, toy shop, and gift shop. Eames designs were not only used in the dining areas, but also the Nut Tree served as the sole authorized retailer of Herman Miller furniture in the Sacramento Valley.