New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-01-11
4 FRENCH DINNER FOR FIFTY CENTS.

The cheapest Of New-York eatng-houses where
a meal may BIO had for ton or fifteen cents, have
been described recently in The Tribune. But of
course people accustomed to delcately cooked food
and cloanly surroundings could find no pleasure in
such places. There is, however, modest little res
taurant down town, where. considering the quality
and abundance of tho viands and the excellent scr
vice, more marvellous dinner Is served for fifty
cents than is the tencont meal of the cheap dining
houses The dishes are almost as sav0ry as IL pre-
pared at Demonicos the Brunswick, whllo the
whole meal costs no moro than plate VI soup at
those places.
Such a meal ut such price is the result of great
economy in management The restaurant is in a
basement, and the rent is low. Its entrance Is 50
humble that one might pass tho simple sign for
wears without noticing 1t. The proprietor is a
quiet Frenchman. Two of his sons wait on tho ia
b,es with the dexterity of long practice. and
younger son acts as tho cashier
The good madame herself Is the presiding
genius of the kitchen. 1t is typical French fami-
ly for thrift and cooperative industry. Ihe nus
band does the purchasing. -
The place offers bill of fare Ia carte rs we'll as
table dh6ie lunch the latter for twenty-five CENTS
but the of the French family are lavlshod
on tho liable fh6te DINNER from to p M Going
down the short steep stairway and narrowly eS-
oqping humping ones head tho visitor finds him
self in a low room about thirty feet square. with
clean, white walls. Small tables are set IN everv
available space, IN the little arches OF the par
tItion wall. Every nook and Granny is utilized
The wine, dessert Dishes etc, are kept under the
sidewalk. Here is cupboard Tor brandy and cor.
and there il n little yard ut the back. Each table
Is covered by clean linen. A large linen napkin
il handed you with % glass OF water anu copy or
a weekly or an evening paper. But you do not have
TO wait long. First comes plate of bread with
print of delicate buttorand glass containing celery
or radishes, and then a soup tureen with gener-
Gus allowance of mock turtle rice aud tomato, or
vegetable soup or clam chowder, Fish OF some
kind follows The entree may be beef with mush-
rooms or boiled mutton or a chicken pattie. with
fried or mashed potatoes and green peas, beans or
caulhowers as a side dish. BY this time the visitor
will feel that no has already had fifty cents worth
But o the next dish is big slice OF the fenderest
and uclest RIB roast, nicely roasted chicken OF
turkey lanked with crisp Lettuce win on anu WIZ
ogar artlstcally mingled. Dessert Is yet TO come,
and will DO found to be delicate
iii for Iucuus, with It's crushed ruit sauce or pow
dered sugar Or, If In season, the dessert may DO
of strawberries or, in warm weather. ice cream;
Now for "A cup of black coffee with lump sugar, ana
cream n you WISH and you are through. IL you
are a smoker YOU may get good cigar and liIrger
oyeryonr coffee AID II You are .lne arinnSr you
may already have empticd bottle or ciaret OF
Ch,onti nd are ready TOR q CORDIAL Bpt you are
not Obliged to smoke or drink. You have had an
excellent dinner at the miaimum OF cost ana should
This restaurant is q favorlte resort OF newspaper
men n coterie of downtown business men, many
of them being Of French birth, aud Of some other
epicures of moderate means. 1t is a scene of much
good fellowship and pleasant meetings, but never
of unseemly gevelry. A stranger was taken INTO
tins ,hemian restaurant tho other evening. ana
inter enjoying dinner proceeded to, pay for IL.
but was amazed at the price. He called the pro.
pretor and SAID; Your Young t man mas and 9G SaS
mistake. He only charged me hity cents anu hao
suoh and such and SUCH"
" hat Is right. hfty CENTS
The customer cried, "well, this amazes me- !
never in my life, In this or any other city, found
,h fnohf for money"