The Wichita daily eagle., 1891-09-22
THE HOUSE OF DeLmoNlco.
It's Progress from Little Ceffes Room
to > Worl9 Famous Restaurant

It's Progress from . Little Coffe9 R0ou
to = World Famous Restaurant
Who has not heard of "Delmonico'a,'
New York; No name is more familiar "a
epicures than Delmonieo, and yet few geo
pie know anything about the original Del
monico's, OF whom there were three broth
ers-John, Lorenzo and Pierre. The real
founder of the name was John, the young
est and most energetic of the three. n.
was the first who came to New York, and
he sent out for the other two. John orig
inally began his career as trader between
Havre and Havana He made a little
money and came to New York, dreaming
probably, as little Of his future success e
did A I. Stewart when he first landed
from Ireland
John started a little bakery and did
fairly well-s0 well that be thought that
with the aid of his brothers he could dc
better. So be wrote to his elder brothers
to come over the Atlantic. This was quite
a venturesome journey, especially for two
Swiss peasant lads, for such they were.
But they had faith in John, in fortune and
in each other, so over they czme-by sail
ship, of course.
The first DelmonicQ building was com
bined bakery, bar, coffee room and restau-
rant. The bakery was run upon the 'pon
honor plan recently adopted st some lunch
counters in New York; that is, no watch
was kept on customers, who helped them
selves to pies. tarts, turnovers and cakes.
and their word was taken as to the amount
they consumed. The coffee was always
good and the meals well cooked and served,
and the prices were reasonable. A cup Of
l. <1rl..r IL
butter could be had for a shilling, and a
outlet only cost shilling more. Aregu!ar
dinner, with wine, could be enjoyed. with
fine service, for dollar-fully equal to a
three dollar Delmonico dinner now. A
good Havana cigar cost bat four cents
such as costs twenty today
The house of Delmonico prospered from
the first, and by an by secsnd generation
came on the carpet and took part in the
thriving concern John, the founder Of
the house, took life easily toward the end,
doing the marketing only, while his broth
ers played dominOes and smoked ciga-
rettes None OF the Delmonicos, either the
brothers, nephews or descendants, have
been educated men. The original Del
monicos were decidedly uncultured. They
spoke, in the latter part of their lives.
three languages-Engksh, French and
Italian-hut all three imperfectly. Nor
were any of the Delmonicos good business
men. in the American sense of that term.
This may seem strange, considering their
success, but it Is fact. None OF them
were keen or shrewd. None of them drove
bargains.
They attended strictly to one line of du-
ties, treated everybody well, sold good ar
ticles and so got rich, and their fame as
restaurateurs filed not only New York,
not only America, but Europe. 1t is not
generally known. but old timers will still
remember that the Deimonicos once kept
a summer garden in what is now East New
York. Attached to this garden was vege-
table and dairy farm which was free TO the
guests "a pleasant privilege IN warm
weather. There were various attractions,
such as a band of music and tenpin
alley. There was also an open space for
target shooting and for athletic games
these were the happy days before baseball
This Delmonico summer garden was a
great resort for all the foreign residents in
New York, particularly on Sundays, when
all the German, French, Italian and Span
ish notables could be seen here eHjoying
hemselves.-Saratoga Cor. Troy Times.