NOVEL LUNCHEON DISHES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14931, 2 March 1912, Page 2 (Supplement)

NOVEL LUNCHEON DISHES.

exotic MEATS.

HAUNCH OF ZEBU.

The dull monotony of the European bill of fare was brought homo to a representor live" of the foreign press as he faced a formidable array of exotic dishes forming the menu of the annual luncheon given by the Societo National d'Acclimatation do Franco, in company with 88 other hungry and resolute guests.

Prom having partaken of luncheons of former years of such delicacies as camel hump, friend snake, and grizzly bear chops, most of the company, which included Mr. Bacon (tho American Ambassador), and M. Standoff (tho Bulgarian Minister), were hardened gourmets', but they acknowledged with bated breath on studying this year's menu that with the aid of M. Dccathalogne, tho chef, tho luncheon committee had surpassed themselves. The following extraordinary menu was served: — Ilors d'oouvro Varies. Shavings of Dried Fish from Japan. Omelette of Frozen Chines Eggs and Yunnan Mushrooms. American Black Bass, Sauce Maltre d'Hotel. En trees. Haunch of Zebu, from Madagascar. Haunch of Argentine Beef (from the spit). Mashed Chinese Yarns. 1 Roasts. Capons with Watercress. Smoked Hams of Brown Russian. Bear. Salad of Algerian Gourds. Entremets. Soufflo of Italian Pumpkins au Kirsch. South Polar Ice. Dessert; Golden Melons from Malaga. Cheese, Fruit. Wines : White and Bed Burgundy, Yoimay sec, 1900, Champagne Krappe, Malt Extract. Standard Dread, Mate, Coffee, Liqueurs. About the room the principal pieces de resistance were displayed on silver dishes, Thoro wero two splendid black bass, a giant bear's ham, tied up with red ribbons, weighing over 801b, tortuous Chinese yams, and chubby Algerian gourds. The exploration of tho menu proved a fascinating and enjoyable experience. Tender Bear Ham. The kind of Japanese Bombay duck with which the bill of faro opened looked like shavings and tested like bran, while the Chinese omelette, crowned by dank black fragments of mushroom, was permeated by a strange fragrance which may havo been from tho East, but may also have been from the eggs. The black bass were delicious, tho zebu proved to be a dark red excellent meat like beef, and the Far Eastern yams tasted like sweet potatoes. But tho chief d'oouvro, was the bear ham, delicately tender, with a strong gamey flavour which entirely restored our spirits, depressed by the Chinese omelette. The gourd salad will not becomo popular in Paris. It is too indigestible. The pumpkin souffle and the exquisitely fragrant Malaga melons were delicious', and formed a fitting conclusion to this original and successful menu.

Professor Perrier, head of the Paris Zoological Gardens, who presided, bid tho guests welcome in a happy speech in which ho announced that the French authorities wero experimenting with the importation of frozen zebu and Argentino beef as a corrective of the high prices of meat prevalent in Prance to-day. M. Debreuil, the courteous secretary of tho society, toasted " tho ladies," whom ho thanked for their courage in attending tho "Zoological luncheon.'"