Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1889-02-13
AN EXPENSIVE MEAL.
The Extravagant Dinner Consumed by
One AIan ON Wager.


One hIan ON Wager.
Some few gentlemen happened to be dining
few weeks ago at the fashionable restaurant,
the cafe de Paris, and one of them asserted
that it was impossible for single person TO
eat dinner that should cost 500 francs, and
that he would pay for 1t if he the eater
could. The Vicomte do Viel Castel accepted
the challenge.
"But when | say one person, he stipulated,
II don't mean a plowman, but gourmet, an
epicure, myself and when l say eat, Of
course IL includes drink. Nothing is easier.
! will dine, even here, at the Cafe de Paris,
after drawing up my own bill Of fare, and
win dispatch, without help, your 600 franc
dinner.n
Leaving nothing in the plates and dishesfn
Yes, shall leave the bones.r
'But you won't breakfast that dayfn
II shall breakfast as usual.n
let it come of, then, tomorrow; here, at
: in the evening"
The maitre d'hotel was summoned and con-
suited It was the depth Of winter; the
vicomte wanted forced fruits and vegetables
the shooting season was over, he insisted on
game The maitre d'hotel's request for
week to prepare In was granted The UNI
pires were TO dine at separate tables, 70 the
right and left Of the vicomte's table He was
allowed two hours TO dine In, from till Q,
and he might either talk or hold his tongue
AT the appointed day and hour the parties
met and took their places. The bin Of fare
pas still mystery. The first things served
were twelve dozen Ostend oysters and a half
bottle Of Johannisberg. The vicomte's APP
petite was sharp He asked for twelve more
| dozen oysters and another half bottle Of the
same wine. Then came swallows nest soup,
which the vicomte poured into a basin and
drank of at a draught, like a cup Of tea
Ma fol, messieurs,n he said II feel hun
cry today. WIN you allow me to indulge a
longingi ! adore beefstcak and fried pota-
toes That's an extra which will pay for
myself Waiter, bottle OF Bordeaux, grand
cruz
The umpires stared at one another The
beefsteak and potatoes were brought and
consumed to the very last scrap.
And now for the fish, Messieurs, this is a
ferrat from the Lake Of Geneva, the only
place where il is found II arrived this
morning alive, in the water Of its native lake
The ferrat is a delicious fish; | advise you to
try it. Waiter, another bottle Of the same
Bordeaux
Five minutes afterward al that remained
Of the fcrrat was the bones Then came the
truflled pheasant, which was demolished in
about ten minutes more. Then the salmis on
ragout Of ortolans, ten in number, each Of
which made just one mouthful Forced
asparagus, green peas from Africa, straw
berries and pineapple followed, with a hall
bottle Of Constantia, and then coffee and
liqueures, all Of which were consumed 70 the
last scrap and drop.
The umpires acknowledged that everything
had been executed Loyalty and literally above
board. II only remained TO call for the bill
Total, 54s francs 80 centimes. A few only
Of the items need DO cited. Swallows nest
SOUP 10 francs; beefsteak and potatoes,
francs; ferrat from tho Lake of Geneva, a
francs; two bottles Of Bordeaux, grand cru
20 francs; Strawberries, 20 francs
The only comment that need be made 1:
that for the same sum Of money plain bu
hearty meal might have been given TO GO
hungry men, women and children Amer
g can Analyst