The morning call., 1890-12-25
PALATIAL SALONS.
Grand Transformation of the
Palacs Hotel.
Restaurants to Be Conducted on Every Plan
Which Are to Be Posms OF Royal
Beauty

Since its erection the Palace Hotel has
been one Of the wonders Of San Francisco
and its reputation has gone abroad even to
the confines of the globe itself.
During its existence it has entertained
some of the most distinguished guests of the
world. The nobility who have enjoyed the
hospitality Of the caravansary, from Prin-
cess Louise and the Earl of Fife down to
civilians of note, would require columns of
space to tell about.
Yet this great hotel is about to out He rod
Herod in the multiplicity of its modes
of entertainment
For months past the mechanical and arts
tic skill Of the city has been employed in
making the most elaborate changes from
cellar to dome. Money has not been spared
in the creation of interior decorative work,
which responsive to the radiance of myriads
Of electric lights in every part OF the build
ing makes it more than its name implies.
With all its dazzling beauty nothing has
been sacrificed TO pure art, and that of the
most fascinating character.
The improvements that will shortly be
disclosed to the public are now ne ar COM
pletion. and then the Palace will stand out
in bold relief as the most cosmopolitan es-
under one roof.
There will be no less than three restau-
rants together with lunch-room which in
itself will be equal to almost any frst-class
eating house in the city.
The City Restaurant Is undergoing Its fin
ishing touches. 1t is entered from Market
street through that handsome appendage re-
Gently built on Annie street. The corridor
which leads to it is a poem of beauty. 1t is
finished in English oak and highly polished
Belgian marble, with mosaic floor.
Going about sixty feet down the slight de-
clivity of the corridor the entrance to the
| City Restaurant is arrived at.
| 1t is q superb arch, ornamented with gilded
flagree work en- relieve and stained-glass
| windows of delicate tint. The restaurant
| itself is one hundred by fifty feet and is in
tended to seat about three hundred guests.
Three hundred and thirty incandescent
| lights look out from every conceivable
point The carved white enamel panels
| with gold figures in relief are Indicative of
| the style OF Francis ]. which was adopted
| By the decorator. The floor, harmonizing
with the series of French gray arches and
| stained-glass transoms, is laid in oak, and
| the surroundings of the grand fireplace are
| all in Belgian marble.
A toilet-room for the ladies leads off from
| the restaurant Its interior finishings arc al
tUsctutI VI Wullc uldIDi6 anu uICkel plate,
| together with pier glass mirror of large size.
! The three huge mirrors at the upper end
OF the restaurant and swinging plate-glass
doors to count give fine effect to the en-
tire salon.
street is second entrance, which leads into
what viii be known as the City Lunch. 1t
is somewhat smaller. but fitted up equally
as well as the other, in colonial style, fitted
with white oak. Here meals will be served
f1,ne At..A
ants of the city do. Prices will range from
% cents upward for meals. An oyster bar
will also be one of the features. The main
entrance is beautified by yellow sandstone
arch which has been elegantly carved. The
first vestibule is finished in Belgian marble;
the second. OF oak, will be a cigar-stand,
and just below that. to the left, will be the
prettieSt saloon in San Francisco. 1t is q
part OF tho space of the Market-street
court which has been utilized. 1t is COW
cred by an arched roof of stained glass,
which under the suns rays or the electric
light at night produces q gorgeous effect In
consequence of the shaded amber hue of
the glass tiles. In this resort one may
stray in and take his teddy without suspi-
cion, or by ascending stairway at the
eastern end of the room he may enjoy a
good game of cards. The oyster cook who
will preside at the lunch will come from
New York, and be brought here especially
Tor his skill in that particular line of cook
ing.
Incandescent lights will be used, as In
other parts of the hotel.
The new biliiard-room will be approached
through the same entrance as that which
leads to the lunch. This room is ''Empirs"
style in sycamore. The bar-room is fitted in
mahogany and red African marble.
1t Is intended to allow the old recci ton
room to remain where 1t Is, but it will be
general receptiOn-r00m. The barber-shop
will be removed from its present locality to
- lou tons atp AN ID 4 -
be surplanted by reading and writing
room for gentlemen. Adjoining on the west
OF the latter Will be the receptlon-room for
ladies. Lavatories and closets will occupy
the place OF the old reading-ro0ms.
The click Of billiard balls will no longer
be heard in the present popular resort on
the Stevenson-street side of the hotel, but
more elaborate and extensive parIors will
be prepared, and the present resort of the
billiardist will be converted into grand
dlning-room, done up in the style of the
Empire, where guests of the house may en-
joy their meals on the American plan.
80 as TO obviate the necessity Of going
through the open court into the American
restaurant, there will be constructed stair
way OF marble. leading from the first floor
This will avoid much Inconvenience.
Across the southwestern end of the great
court of the hotel will be run a screen, COM
posed OF brass and surmounted with heavy
plate-glass. This is designed for smoking
from any Of the restaurants for the purpose
of enjoying cigar or cigarette with their
coffee. This will constitute unique feature
Of the readiustment of the house.
The present bar-rOOm will be used exclu-
sively rs a breakfast-room for the patrons
who prefer the American style of living.
Tho rarest conception of all is the con-
version of the major portion Of the Steven
sOn-street court into conservatory. Over,
head an arched roof of iron and glass will
afford abundant nrofapfiou x,,iu
blossom the rsrest exotcs that will grow in
the country.
There will be three aisles running the
entire length OF the conservatory-a distance
sions these aisles will be lined with tables
for the purpose Of banqueting parties.
1t will always be ready aud the perennial
odor Of flowers which delights the senses
here vii! perhaps make it not only the most
beautiful. but the most remarkable banquet
the menu of such o chef as the Palace has
In the midst OF such floral extravaganza and
extreme brilliancy.
Manager G. p. Smith is himself setting
his heart upon this extremely novel cnm-
bination and hopes to see it as beautiful in
fact as 1t Ia now in his poetic Imagination.
That every one may be suited who stops
In the hotel or lives in the city the variety
OF restaurants will accord to their tastes.
The largest dining.hail and the one that
European plan. A full description has
heretofore been published of this gorgeous
place and does not need repetition, as 1t Is
on plane with the other restaurants of the
big honse.
All the plumbing Of the hotel is new, and
throughout the house porcelain bars and
porcelain tiles add to the beauty Of the
finishings.
No expense has been spared to accom-