The article titled "Weddings, Dates and the Best Scotch: How Readers Remember Windows on the World" from WSJ is not directly available through the provided search results or general web search. Therefore, a summary specific to that exact article cannot be generated.
However, based on the provided web search results, Windows on the World was a significant restaurant located on the 106th and 107th floors of the North Tower of the World Trade Center. It opened in 1976 and was co-founded by Joe Baum and Michael Whiteman. The restaurant became known for its breathtaking views, extending 90 miles, and its role in revitalizing lower Manhattan's image, especially during a period when New York City faced significant challenges. It took $17 million to build, equivalent to about $90 million in today's dollars, and by 2000, it was the highest-grossing restaurant in the country, with $37 million in sales the year before 9/11.
Readers and former patrons fondly recall Windows on the World as a setting for numerous important life events, including weddings, engagements, proms, anniversaries, and family gatherings. For many, it represented more than just a restaurant; it was a symbol of New York City's resilience and aspiration. The restaurant also pioneered innovative dining concepts, such as fixed-price dinners with wine pairings and a "grazing" menu of small plates, and was noted for placing women in high-paying, high-visibility positions in an era when such opportunities were rare in elite dining establishments.
The restaurant tragically closed on September 11, 2001, when 73 of its employees died after American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower. Its legacy, however, continues through organizations like the Restaurant Opportunities Center and One Fair Wage, which were founded by former Windows on the World workers and their advocates to fight for fair wages and dignity for restaurant employees. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum also preserves its history through artifacts and stories.
Even though the specific WSJ article is not available, the sentiment expressed in its hypothetical title aligns with the numerous anecdotes from New Yorkers and visitors who remember Windows on the World for its elegance, the warmth of its staff, and the excitement of dining above the city skyline, making it a place of unforgettable memories.
