The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-02-23
HOW THE PIGTAILS .EAT.
Scenes In Chinese Restaurants in San
Francisco.
The San Franclsco Bulletin says:

The new Chinese restaurant, at the corner
of Washington alley and Jackson street, Is
situated in the second story, and is divided
into three large rooms, with small apartments
in the rear. The parlor or front room is deco
rated with tinsel and gaudy Chinese inscrip-
| tions. In the centre of the apartment our re-
portcr saw large circular table of rusty hue,
and closely resembling milestone. In the
middle of this affair, where one would almost
expect to see an iron pivot. was quart boWl-
such as may be seen in any New England
Acknowledged to pleasing rotundity with
some mysterious Chinese compound, from
which arose grateful aroma. The contents
OF this bowl formed cross between hash ana
SCUM. and seemed to be composed OF fish, fowl
and vegetables, moIstened with gravy OF the
color and consistency OF dish water. seated
around the table were nine well-drcssed, re-
spectacle looking Cinnamon and seven fc-
| males We mention the males first, because
that was the order in which they seated them
selves to the repast.
The women we're dressed In the height OF
| Celestial fashion, wearing rich SILK gowns, val
uabie gold bracelets, diamond rings and the
dantiesEeshocs Imaginable. The traditionai
pondcrous hair pin with bead ana spa ocGo, TO-
ratons, was worn by all Scarcely hau tlle
clair received their burdens when the bowl
| the centre ofattraction-was transformed into
4 miniature fishing pond. Each Cinnamon
seized his silvcr-hingcd chop sticks and
made demonstration on the bowl, now pick
| ing up choice morsel, and then losing IL
| through the dcXtcrity OLA mischievous iellow
on the opposite side of The table. In partak-
ing of the food, little gallantry was notlcea-
BILE; the first load on the chop-sticks was con-
signed to he females, and they manage 10
take care oft Two tea urns were placed on
the table, and from time TO time the males I'LL
cd ttelr little china cups, and drank them
selves or helped the women. An Intelligent
looking Chinaman gave q toast In English,
"My Father in China" and all drained their
cups to that which cheers, but does not Inc
| bratc.
The second room is The kitchen and clerks
office, and here the white-aproned walters
may be seen preparing vegetables and meats
for cooking. The place will compare favora-
bly'with American restaurants in this city US
regards cleanliness, but the mixtures lying
around are fearful 10 behola, actualy maRlhS
ones flesh crawl.
The dining room comes last, and presents
nothing new or strange. The tables are scat
tered around, regardless of taste or convent
ence, and the patrons ditto. When person
seats himself at table, lie gives his order 10
a waiter, who passes it along 10 eomnan,lofI' s,oI,
ment, and finally reaches the cooking depart
| ment on the first floor. For various reasons,
the writer declined visiting the first named
place.
| While viewing the premises, the writer was
approached by q Chnaman, and asked his busi.
ness Upon finding he was addressing news
paper man, he extended him an invitation To
visit his restaurant, on the opposite side Of the
street, above Dupont. He availed himself o.
the offer, and was amply repaid for his trouble
by the curious sights witnessed. The rcstau
rant alluded to now is three stories high, and
fitted up in splendid style. The first floor Is
occupicd by the cooks and clerk, the second is
divided into private rooms for family parties
and the third is the parlcr. The latter room Is
tions. It is elegantly decorated, furnish
cd with costly carved divans, and has sus
pended from the wall beautiful bronze and
glass chandeliers At the end of the apart
ment are spacious alcoves, and here Chlnamen
were taking their ease in lounglng position
eating, drinking, smoking and sleeping, lusl
according to their tastes. Each acted as ne
pleased without interfering with his neighoor
Now and then the orchestra, consisting Oh
dyspeptic looking fiddler, wicked OLD nag
who beat tattoo on copper arrangement
shaped like barnaclc, and female performel
OIL paddle violin, would discourse SELECTION:
from Chinese operas but they saw the anguish
depicted on the countenances OF visitors. Ieae
their thoughts perhaps, and closed win
grand" crash of sound"