Automatic Restaurants.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue XX, 15 November 1902, Page 1275

Automatic Restaurants.

Refreshments a public gardens m London are something of a novelty, but a still greater novelty is afforded in the method th- purveyors have adopted for distribu’i'.g the viands, which is entirelv automatic. Those desirous of refreshing themselves enter the buffet, and. say. a cup of tea what may b* desired, tne * IS -' tor inserts in a «*otpresent! v a small aft. which is en closed in a glass case, descends. am. from the lower shelf he is able * > take out a dainty li ‘le service consisting of a cup and saucer. i sntaL bowl of sugar, and a pot containing a -portion - of tea in the tear. Hard bv is a tap. from which the visitor draws a supplv of h -r cater into the teapot, and then he .arries the try awav. and eventual!." partakes e in fusion at a table placed beneath the trees outside. Desirous ot more -olid refreshment he may obtain confectionery. fruit, or sandwiches. ■ - even ices, according to choice, by inserting the requisite i- tuber of pence in other slot -. ■-hereupon a neat papier-mache tray >:.-scends J l-0 ™ ‘ lift bearing whatever may oe tided Tobaeco. cigars, anti cigarettes ean be obtained »n a similar wav \l-' aerated drink.- either singly or mixed with cordials—raspberry. gioge riimejniee. Irm'-n. aid so forth. • temperance >-.*e r :*zei are a. prr-scn* on sale, but the courteous manager will, if vou ask him. inform yon licit it would »e .(trite as easy, were the • -ompany licemcu? to do so. t'» -uppii wbisky-aiel-scia through the maac it furnish "'-e.r customers w.th n rr s » . _ y c ru:u, . n . lemonaae. At me ec i the buff, t then are fountains from which a cup of hot tea. coffee, or chocolate, wit.t - i.gar

and milk. n»y hr obtaine! for cr.« penny. Thi- is a provision in* ste t upon by the County Council. The manager of the buffet. >rrn. wa< in a distinctly optimistic frame of mind with regard to the ultimate succes* »»f the venture. In the few day* it ha.! been opened. the public had already ~ found it oat/’ and apart from the novelty of rhe armnsrement* which may. of course, wear off eventually, he vas that i a very -hurt t**nc t would be so successful that sin: vr buffets would be demanded in other of the public parks and g-i—len* which abound in London.