The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-06-24
cONsOMME AND CUSTARo.
A Cuserer's Chat Ceoceruing His Custom
sr-The Dishss Called For

THE ordinary woman must have d.
gestive apparatus similar to that sup
posed to be enjoyed by the ostrich" was
the suggestive comment made the other
day by the proprietor OF fashionable
restaurant in the shopping district up
town.
lie was checking of the days orders as
he spoke. and reporter hearing the re-
mark naturally followed it up.
"Why?" repeated the caterer "Well,
ri Just show you. All orders here are
written. you know; consequently the
ladlc- have put their testimony IN biacS
and white. Here are some of their
lunches: Bouillon and pistache ice
cream. Fancy a man putting that com
bnation in his stomach to nourish him
for a days tramp. Here's another:
Strawberry short cake and a cup of
chocolate;' that was the first course. fol-
lowed by cream meringue and lemon
ice. I'd like to bet that woman will be
visited by both her ancestral grand
mothers tonight.
Here's an order in swell English
handwriting for goblet of iced milk and
an extra porterhouse steak. Nothing
else. Enough to kill herr should say
so. THIS extraordinary female reliShed
a chicken salad and cup of tea; this
one reveled in fried Little Necks and
pineapple ice cream. and third went
from shad roe to charlotte russo without
stopping at any intermediate stations"
whats the trouble with the ladies'"
asked the reporter; Ignorance or econ
omy:"
Both" was the emphatic reply.
They come in here and puzzle over the
carte for fifteen minutes and then order
consomme and frozen cpstard. Dessert
every woman must have. and the con
somme. or chop, or bit of fish is a deli
cate attempt to lead up to the sweets.
They have no conception of seasonable
food either They ask for mince pie in
June, and iced tea in December. In
August. when | have exhausted every
resource at hand TO reduce the tempera-
ture OF the place, they rush in flushed
and gasping. and call for n fan and a
cup OF hot chocolate
VERY few men eat here during the
dav. but when one does accompany a
lady the order shows at once his pres
ence. can tell, too. nine times out Of
ten. if the man is a husband or only the
fance If the latter, the young woman
orders in lavish. generous way that IL
most agreea ole to my professional taste;
but when mademoiselle becomes madame
she contents herself with very modest
luncheon. That is the time the husband
is reckless, and spring lamb, early straw
berries, and other expensive delicacies
Just about ill the bill for him.
AS a rule however, my patrons dur
ing the day are ladies' had to get used
to them. Ii took me some time, but We
learned the ropes, and let them run the
thing pretty much as they want to now
From before - to 3 o'clock every day
my place is filled with women, and by
George! they have a good time if dealt
They sit forty minutes sometimes
over a twenty-five cent order. They
meet people whom they know and block
the aisles and delay the waters while
they interchange small talk and gossip.
They stop on the way out 10 ask me
where | buy my bread (Which is my
speciality, you know or if the cook would
be willing for compensation, of course.
to disclose the receipt of a delicious souf-
fle they have just eaten.
II blandly reply that every loaf of
bread is made upon the premises, and that
my cook, who is a chef, creates those
soufiles without other receipt than his
own high art. No ordinary cook. ma
dame, viii conclude sympatLeucaily,
could produce the same results from the
same ingredients
Which is a lie of course, put IN the
reporter.
Partially. only partially said the
restaurateur with deprecatlng gesture;
you know could not give away my
kitchen secrets and. besides. that woman
will come again and again to eat that
soufile and tell her friends about it and
get them to come. all because of the little
mystery throw about it. Curious lot
these women. finished the caterer, ger
eralizing, broadly.
Rather paying lot, too. suggested
the reporter, CHANGING at the prosperous
aspect of the place.
The proprietor laughed as he leaned
over the desk.
Il have just leased the place for
another ten years. he said. New York