The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-09-20
MATIAS ASPIRES TO FAME.
San Francisco Troubadour Restaurant
Keeper wants an once.

Exiled Californians IN the East who
remember the SAVIOR Of Matias's en-
chiladas and the spice Of Matias's patter
in his dingy little restaurant cross the
street from the county Jail on San Fran
cisco's Broadway will not DO surprised
to learn that the host Of 20 many joyous
feasts under the strings Of dried peppers
IL aspiring to new adventures. His name
is before the voters Of the Barbary Coast
for election to the California Assembly.
Matias has done many things In his
time, as those who have taken his talk
with their frijoles and tamales In tho
golden days at home will know. He has
been soldier. globe trotter and brother Of
the famous as wellas restaurant keeper and
his restless soul Is v Q seeking new en-
really typical characters Of the old San
Francisco Is this Austrian troubadour
and artist OF the skillet.
A good many years ago he opened his
Mexican restaurant up on the edge Of the
Spanish and Italian quarter that blocks
the crooked streets Of Telegraph Hill.
He had then. as now. q genial, plump,
brown wife. Maria Of Mexico. who always
wore q rose in her black hair and who
looked her best whether over the stove
or chipping at the hooking bird in its
wicker Gag by the door for the edifica-
ton Of the diners.
With Maria as cook. himself as waiter
and general ma.jordomo OF the establish
ment and his inexhaustible store OF wit
and smattering knowledge Of literature.
the arts and sciences, Matias launched
himself as one OF the entertainers of San
Franoisco's restless folk who are always
on the lookout for new ways and places
OF entertainment.
Matias knew his powers and his limita-
serve q quotation from Don Quixote " In
his blurred English. A discourse on Rabelais
with quotations he could give as readily as
the inside facts about the latest scandal
lin Mayor Schmitz's administration. He
boldly essayed criticism on the art of the
local painters and sculptors, all fire.
quenters Of his place, as easily as he poured
meal he served.
Because Of his intellectual coat Of many
oolors Mathis made an instant hit with
the free spirits Of newspaper Office and
studio who learned to urn their steps up
the steep slope Of Montgomery street hill
and into the dingy doorway that fronted
the old Jail. Matias. knowing that 1t was
DIb bbAA6Oht SSaN kpot NICM
guests moro than the chile In his dishes,
never failed to be the whole course In
every dinner served his patrons.
Matias kept a big scrapbook before the
Are, which was filed from cover to cover
with the autographs Of we'll known men and
women who had dined at his resort while
passing through the city. He had there
verses scribbled by authors. sketches made
during the interval between tamale and
fnjoles by local or itinerant artists, letters
from the four corners Of the earth.
This book was burned In the great fire.
the sorest blow that Matias ever suffered.
Now he has . new hpok. but the sigma
lures that ourled up I'd the heat Of April IS,
1908. o never be replaced.
Three years ago Matiae took Maria to
Europe. back TO his boyhood's home In
Raguea, Dalmatie Before he left he had
painted for him q monster sign that
stretched across the whole front Of bis
shop:
.Gone to Europe. Be Back In Two
Years.s