The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-02-17
Scenes of SpIendOr and Objects
OF Beauty
THE HOFFMAN CAFE OPENED
A Cuisine That Will Satisfy the Most
Exacting
The Cafe, Grllroom and Private Banquet
Rooms Are Works of Art in
Decoration

was opened yesterday. This is not said
in a spirit of boastfulness. Nor is it to
be understood that the resort just thrown
open to the people of this city gains any
additional lustre because of the somewhat
presumptuous title given above: for the
cafe, bar, grill-room and attachments
which our citizens inspected yesterday
for the first time are beyond all doubt the
peers OF any similar establishment not
only west of Chicago, but throughout the
United States. The curiosity of thous-
ands of people has, during the past few
weeks, been whetted as they passed along
Spring street by gorgeous carved work
and art glass, only glimpses of which
could be obtained as they were being put
in place to adorn the three story building
which plucky M. l.. Polaski has been
having erected to be a home for all that
can delight and warm the soul of mankind.
Surely those philosophers of old were
right when they placed the seat of the
soul in the stomach; and Just as surely
Will all the wise men OF modern times, OF
whom so many reside in our midst, re-
joice at the completion of this daring un-
dertaking-the establishment of a Refresh
ment where the eye as well as the heart
can be gladdened
This new resort, so modest looking
yet neatly dressed without so magnificent
and gorgeous within, is The Hoffman,
at 315 South Spring street. On passing
by, the eye is caught by the rich panelng
OF woodwork decorating the walls and
ceiling of the most beautiful cigar store
in any state.
The tiling on the floor, the elegant
carved counter and fixtures, the heavy
plate glass, the handsome mirror, the
tod n.f ,-tt Il
doors-all these catch the attention of even
the most unobservant, and cause him to
stop and gaze. After that he will per-
chance cross the threshold and pass into
the saloon, only to catch his breath with
establishment at the beautiful sight
within.
Standing upon carpeting exceedingly
rich and beautiful he will cast his eye
around the room, lit by myriads of incan-
descent burners jutting forth from every
nook and corner of the ceiling, and by the
elegant chandelier of innumerable lights.
scene like that beheld by Aladdin then
presents itself. Exquisite, paneling of
birch polished like glass, decorated walls
and ceilings, and with the many plate
glass mirrors which stud the woodwork
cast ten thousand reflections from the
countless lights.
The rear bar, constructed and decorated
in the style known as Louis XIVth is re-
maj hdDic loT us Dtduty, GHe IRnJ ana airy
ceiling being reflected by the three i'm
mense mirrors forming the background.
beautiful cut glass ware, apparently un
limited in quantity, sparkles like so many
diamonds. The richly carved cabinet on
the opposite wall, filled with the costliest
wines, causes the heart to rejoice, and the
whole soul is delighted by the tout ensem-
ble-a glimpse of fairyand- delicate, bril-
liant, light and exquisite.
The heavy tapestries in the rear are
parted and the grill-room is entered. This
is similarly decorated and finished in
birch, and is furnished with a dozen
tables, fitted with the finest of linen and
covered with the costliest of silver
ware. This room, too, is ablaze with
lights, which cast their beams from every
panel. Beyond the grill-room wide hall
way leads to private dining rooms, COM
fortably yet beautifully furnished and dec
GRATED.
A kitchen complete in every detail COM
pletes the equipment of the first floor, and
one is then anxious to inspect the next
story. A private hall and stairway leads
to this, after one has entered a magnfi-
cent vestibule and opened and passed the
beautifully designed art glass doors.
A wide stairway leads to a spacious hall,
and opening upon this are several large
dining-rooms, which can be occupied sin
ely or thrown open to form a grand ban
quet hall-all paneled and with richly
decorated walls
On the third floor are found other pri-
vate dining rooms, a banquet hall and
billiard parlors each room finely decorated
and appropriately furnished. Lavatories
are placed on every floor, the plumbing of
which is the very best, and the things and
fittings are really works of art. This is the
panorama which a hurried visitor will be-
hold-glimpses of as fine an establishment
of the kind as man can hope to see.
And after all this has been seen and
the many CALCULATIONS of surprise have
been expressed one naturally asks from
whose mind these gorgeous conceptions
spring, and he is not surprised when he
is told that the designer, both of the
building proper, and also of every detail
of interior carving, woodwork, and decor
alton was the brilliant and we'll known
architect, A. M. Edelman, who offices
over Wells, Fargo e. CO. s, on the corner
of Third and Main streets, have been the |
birthplace of the plans and decorations |
of countless numbers of the handsomest |
dwellings and blocks in this rapidly grow |
ing city.
TOO much praise cannot be given this
skillful architect for the taste displayed |
for his originality of design, and for the
and effectiveness of the entire
decorations. His ideas were faithfully
carried out, and to him all honor is due.
Praise must also be granted to F. H.
Powell, president of the well known Los
Angeles Planning mill, located on San
Pedro street. near Fifth, for the perfect
manner in which the interior woodwork
On the first floor was constructed. All of