GRAND HOTEL GRILL ROOM AND CAFE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1892, 15 May 1890, Page 24

GRAND HOTEL GRILL ROOM AND CAFE.

The Melbourne visitor has been iv the habit of complaining that in Dunedin there are no cafes and grill rooms such as are to be found in the Victorian capital. " If," he says, " you have had a late breakfast, and require, about 2 or 3, a glass of wine and a French cutlet, you can't get them in Dunedin. Here the restaurateur's aim appears to be rather in endeavouring to eclipse his rivals in furnishing the biggest shilling's worth of meat and vegetables, without regard to gout or style. There is no maison dorte, no maison Frangaise, where one c»n smoke a cigar over one's coffee noir after luncheon or dinner, and throw winning glances the while at the clean, comely young woman who attends on you in long white sleevelets and neatly embroidered apron, with the ends of which she toys prettily and coyly as you glance askance at her." All that is now changed. Dunedin no longer lacks these conveniences. The indefatigable manager of the Grand Hotel, profiting by his recent trip to Australia, where he visited and inspected the various French cookshops, has made extensive preparations for opening to-day, at 11 o'clock, a grill room and cafe, which promises to be in every respect, equal to any similar institution in Melbourne. The room set apart for this purpose is that in which many will remember having once been accustomed to play billiards. Several alterations have taken place in it, aud now in place of the billiard tables may be seen a number of small tables invitingly laid, and presided over by several smart looking waitresses. The room is well carpeted and nicely decorated ; it has a warm and comfortable appearance as you enter. At the invitation of Mr Watson, a representative of this journal partook of the first luncheon served in the new grill room yesterday, and if this "may be considered a fair sample of the lunches to be provided for the public, one may predict success for the undertaking. A plate of huifes frites was served up quite in Fari3 style; and Ihe coffee royal afterwards was superb. One could almost imagine one's self in la helh France as cigars were brought round and lit a few moments later. This is to be one of the features of the grill room, this smoking during the progress of a meal. As for the charges, they are to be on strictly moderate principles. The individual who requires only a light repast may be accommodated, for the small charge of 6d, with either a large plate of soup and a roll, or a cup of tea and French roll and butter. For the sum of Is you may obtain a plate of soup, grill and salade de laitue, and a glass of beer or cup of tea or coffee. The room will afford a nice lounging place in which city men may transact their business over their pipes and coffee, instead of leaning over a bar to do it. There are two entrances, one in High street and the other in Princes street. A leading feature will be made of coffee and tea drinking, and those persona who require something less stimulating than whisky to slake their thirst may get a cup of tea, served with nice silver service, for the sum which a glass of spirits costs them.