Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-08-16
From an Occasional Correspondent
Our Paris Letter.

To the Editor of the Free Press and Times.
THE CUISINE OF THE FRENCH CAPITAL-How
AND WHAT AND WHERE THE DIFFERENT
CLASSES EAT-FROM THE GRAND RESTAuR-
RANTS OF THE BOULEvARDs TO THE DINGY
WINE SHOPS OF THE FAUBoURGs-THE
MASON DoREE AND THE CAFE ASGLAIs.
PARIS, July 90, 1873.
Paris is renowned for its cuisine, and truly
there are no people in the world who live as
well and at the same time so economically.
From the Duchess whose chocolat Ia creme
de rcnilia is brought into her silk tapistried
boudoir Of morning, in cup Of rich Sevres
porcelaine. set on a silver salyer, and who
sips it reclining on bed, the quilted silk
cover of which is trimmed with point
dAlencon, worth many thousand Of francs, to
the humble and cheerful little Guerrero
(work- Soman) who enters the cremerie of
the Quarter du Caire, and asks for
three SOUS worth of cafe du LAT
and petit pam; from the noble sportsman
who spends four dollars for his breakfast at
Bignon's, to the decayed literary character
who creeps stealthily into the dingy WINE
shop of the Quarter Pigalls from the port
ly. bland and smiling senator who, on leay
ing the august assembly of which he is a
member, steps in at Fayot's for dozen of
Astende, to be washed down with half a bot
tie of Sauterne. twenty years old, to tie poor
clerk who takes his dinner at a restaurant OF
fixed price, at the outlay of eighteen cents;
from the smart commercial traveller or man
of business who is haJitue of Duval's, to
the laborer out of work who can Just afford
to pay five sous for an ordiadire in the mys-
terious region of the Little California, way
down near the Boulevard Montrossys, Paris
ians of all classes, provided with purses long
or short, will always enjoy, or appear to en-
Joy, the table. be it sumptuous or spare.
Let US suppose ourselves in the realms of
Mammon, at the corner of the BOule-
ward des ltaliens and the Rue Laftte. the
frequenter Of the Boulevard will point out
to the foreigner to whom he acts as guide
high, nOble-looking house, the window or
lamentations of which still retain the traces
Of the copious gliding layished on them
years ago, but now nearly etiaced by the
mordant tooth Of time. 1t is the mason
dOree of world wide fame The splendor of
its exterior gliding may have been furnished,
but enter, and the most fastidious taste will
be satisfied by the rich, elegant. and yet
simple decorations displayed within. The
demands Of the most highly cultivated cpl
cure can be catered to here, but, as in other
establishments that will describe,
lagos admonition. "Put money in thy
purse" holds good ; put money
in your purse, plenty Of money,
a large number OF the neat lit
tie round pieces. bearing the efhgy of
put them in your pocket with the expecta
ton of leaving large number of them at
the rose wooden counter, behind which sits
the neatly dressed female cashier. for with
out such provision, and such intention you
had better stop at the door. But If you
wish to unveil the mysteries OF Epicurus. the
picture being framed with the most exquisite
surroundings. you most enter the temple OF
the Gordon bieu. you must ascend the carpeted
staircase which leads to the sumptuous
cabinets up stairs. There you will find the
walls set in ebony, inlaid with flowers
in mother-of pearl displayed in varied and
fantastic design. Sofas covered with rich
vclvets or silk damssks court the gaze, and
invite repose. Rich curtains soften the
light of day. while lustres sparkling with a
thousand corruscations scatter the rays Of
their gas flames at night. Venetian mirrors
multiply the room, and make it appear ten
times larger than it is, for the space Is
limited and the cabinets seem made but for
cosy tete a tete.
On the line of Boulevards from the Made
lcine to the Rue Poissonnere restaurants OF
the highest order are very numerous, and
each is celebrated for some speciality, and
has usually particular class of patrons.
The members Of the sporting club prefer the
cafe Anglais, renowned for its delicious
salmon. There il one room in this cstab-
lishment that can boast of European fame.
What scenes both gay and serious have
taken place in No. lG. Congratulatory din
ners to celebrated authors and artists, and
solemn festivities between diplomatists when
the fate of Europe hung in the balance.
ARTHUR