Where: Yvonne’s

What: About 2,300 books displayed in the restaurant’s library area.

Whose idea: New York-based designer Stephanie Moreen wanted to honor the restaurant’s storied history, since it’s on the site of the long-lived and legendary Locke-Ober, which had its own library. As such, she helped source thousands of books for Yvonne’s, including some unusual old selections — a first edition of “Peter Pan’’ and “Lolita,’’ and a second printing of “The Call of the Wild.’’ Some books came from stalls at Brimfield’s antique shows; others were unearthed at Burlington’s Used Book Superstore. Just one problem: Yvonne’s clientele might be a bit too literate. “People come in and pull them,’’ confides managing partner Chris Jamison. “We’ve seen some gaps open up. I think people are finding books they like and walking out with them. We also have some books that have just shown up.’’

2 Winter Place, Downtown Crossing, Boston, 617-267-0047, www.yvonnesboston.com

kara baskin

Kara Baskin can be reached at kcbaskin@gmail.com. Follow her on Twitter @kcbaskin.