CHEAP MEALS IN MELBOURNE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 20 June 1932, Page 9

CHEAP MEALS IN MELBOURNE

FROM ONE PENNY UPWARD

CHINA SHARES THE SACRIFICE

Meals are cheap in Melbourne today (says the “Argus”). Cafes, which three or four years ago were few and expensive, are now comparatively numerous and cheap. The price of almost all classes of food in all classes of restaurants has been reduced, and hotels which provide counter-lunches have “cut”.their prices still further, so that it is possible for their patrons to obtain sustenance for Id and a meal which is usually appetising and satisfactory for any prico from 2d upward. Not long ago meals at most restaurants in the city cost at least 2s 6d for three courses, and usually more. People apt to bo beguiled by the pleasures of the table considered themselves lucky if they escaped for 3s 6d, or more. Hotel meals of the simplest kind cost, as a rule, 2s 6d. Others cost more according to the optimism of the proprietor and the kind hearts of his customers. Few establishments have been able to maintain these prices. Hotels which formerly charged 2s 6d for luncheon or dinner now charge Is 6d or Is 9d which, for three courses, must be held to be cheap. In cafes conducted by department stores prices have undergone a similar reduction. One hotel advertises a “business lunch” for Is. These, however, are plutocratic feasts. Counterlunches at many city hotels are almost given away; they were given away at one hotel, but the gifts have ceased. At these hotels it,is possible to obtain say, steak and kidney pie, Irish stew, veal cutlets, or curry and rice, for 2d. Sausages or pies cost'ld. Certainly the cuslomer is expected to buy liquor. But even if he spends Sd upon beer, 7d cannot be considered a large total for a meal and a drink. If he does not desire the drink there is at least one restaurant which announces complete meals for 6d. There are other bargains to be had by the gourmet. Several new Italian restaurants have sprung into being recently. At most of these it is possible to obtain soup, spaghetti or ravioli, a grill, or entree cooked enticingly in the Italian manner, a small flask of claret or cbablis and black coffee for 2s 6d, with the most popular operatic melodies and the conversation of artistic or nearartistic fellow-diners thrown in for good measure. These restaurants have imparted a note of gaiety to the process of dining in Melbourne, hitherto a solemn process dedicated as a rule to the twin gods of cabbage and suet pudding. No doubt the customer gets bis money s worth —much more than he would ever have expected to get in the unhappy days before the depression. The spirit of the Premiers’ Plan has invaded even Little Bpurke street and its environs. Leading Chinese restaurants announce reductions of any amount from 10 per cent. Diners may cat their cho arp pin or cho go wool kai, serene in the knowledge tliat China is bearing its share of the sacrifice no less than Italy, Greece, and the 100 per cent. Australian restaurateur.