Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-01-25
VIENNA BUFFET.
MeSSrs. MerkOW d. SchurtX,s Ele.
CANT Enterprise.

Old Congress Hall is to be reJuV1-
mated. Itrises resplendent as the Phe-
nix from its ashes. Messrs. Kerkow
& Schurtz have rented the basement
of the new building just completed on
the corner of Main and Requena
streets. They will open on Thursday
morning at 10 A. NJ. the most COM
plete pla :e of it's kind on the Pacific
coast. 1t will be somewhat on the
plan OF the Louvre at San Francisco,
but as compared with the Los Angeles
establishment that of the Bay City is
a mere dingy affair. One is prompted
to compare this of the Messrs. Ker-
kow q Schurtz with the famous place
kept in New York by Ed. Stokes, but
the gobelin tapestry and the paintings
aside, the Vienna Buffet outshines
even the great Gotham place of re-
freshment Under the front side
walk is the storeroom, shut off from
the main floor by arched gates of very
artistic make, and embellished in
blue and gold until they are resplen-
dant. From this point right through
the whole establishment there is no
comfort or convenience that is forgot
ten, and there has been no expense
spared to fit each de partment up in
the very best style. The place is
splendid enough for symposium OF
the gods of Olympus. Mr.. Schurtz'
private Office is near the front entrance.
Then comes the cigar stand-a gem
in itself. The long counter comes
next, the whole backed by magnif-
cent line of heavy French mirrors the
whole length Of the room. A novel
and very artistic feature is the chan
deliers which stand in the center of
each panel of the mirror. Each is
double, one set OF brachia being for gas
jets and the other for electric light.
The iron pillars all down the center Of
the hall have each a collar set around
their chapters to which are
attached similar candelabra. The
ice box is a work of art.
In great, rustic, block letters stand
out the words, "Ice Cold" In the
center is the head of the great Gamb
rinus. He shows his teeth, in smil-
ing, not in savage guise as becomes
the king of jolly beer drinkers. A
dentist has filled his teeth with gold
thus making him a modern king. A
self-acting air-pump purifies the air in
the hall and is curiosity worth visit
ing the place to see. The ceilings of
the hall are done in fine frescoes, and
the cornices with lovely tapestry-not
paper, but real cloth tapestry. Below
the icebox is the cold lunch table,
similar to the cigar stand in its artist
ic finish, but with proper emblems to
show its use. 1t is ornamented with
a string of sausage and knife and
fork instead OF the pipe and
tobacco on the cigar stand. The
kitchen will be in charge of
two lady chefs, brought from vi
emma to preside over the mysteries of
this place, which is destined to be-
come the resort of all the gourmons
and gourmets-especially the gourmets
of Los Angeles. There is a big
range, with ample conveniences for
heating dishes, so that no guest will
get a cold plate. The vessels
are all of the finest planished
copper and every provision is
made for the most scrupulous
cleanliness. The bar is all of wood,
supplied with plenty of water, with
ice boxes and every detail to insure
the serving Of every drink ordered in
the most perfect style. The floor will
be covered with tables for guests,
and the fine beers, pale and light,
and dark heavy Culmbacher, will be
served in stone mugs imported direct
from Dresden. There are cosy
private rooms for those who wish to
be secluded with their friends. There
are also nice quiet alcoves where the
same object may be attained in the
case OF private parties. There will be
no dice playing or card playing
allowed in the place. s. M, Perry did
the plumbing and gas-ftting
in this fine resort, and j. M.
Sindlinger did the decorating.
Both lines Of work are the ost
artistic in this city, or for that matter
on the coast. The body Of the work
is painted seven coats of dead, or
Chinese white, and all the trimmings
are brought out in real gold leaf. The
Corinthian pillar prevails in the style
OF the place, ana all Uno grace
full lines of its chapters are
brought out in this heavy gold leaf.
The fact is not to be forgotten in con-
nection with the Vienna buffet, that
while all the delicacies of all markets,
of things eaten and taken in liquid
form, may be had here, the cost is to
be quite moderate. There will be
"caviar for the general" and al
the nice It'd bits of the
| most artistic cuisine known il
Europe. But the guest will not b.
mulcted in too heavy damages. Bu
4 q tfuce,so words. Go one and all OF
Thursday morning at 10 O'Clock t.
the corner Of Main and ReQuen'
streets and see for yourselves. Gram
free lunch at the opening!