THE TROCADERO.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VI, Issue 265, 22 August 1895, Page 10

THE TROCADERO.

The “ Trocadero ” in Wellington is probably one of the best restaurants conducted on continental lines that we have in tbe colonies. I paid a visit to it shortly after my arrival in Wellington and was most agreeably surprised at the facilities for comfort and luxury that it offered. Mr Henry Price, who formerly was proprietor of the Central Hotel, has taken the “ Trocadero ” in hand and has made it the most popular place of resort in the city. The entrance to the different apartments is by a broad hall which opens on to the street. Immediately on the right is the manager’s private office and next to that a large room which has been fitted up as a smoking and reading room for the frequenters of the establishment. On the left of the entrance is the principal public dining room, which is capable of easily seating over a hundred guests. The room is provided with small tables, each accomodating from four to six people, and patrons are waited on by male waiters whose promptness is most commendable. The walls of the room are decorated with mirrors; and all the accompaniments are in perfect taste. Here breakfast, lunch, dinner, and supper up to one or two in the morning is served. Going again into the hall we are faced by a wide staircaseleading up stairs. To the right and left are balustraded corridors on to which open private dinner and supper rooms. One of these dainty little apartments is fitted up in blue, everything harmonizing, even to the globes on the electric lights. The room will accommodate some ten or twelve guests, and is kept for private parties. Another room exactly similar in size and appointments adjoins it, with the single exception that the latter'is fitted up in pink. The upper floor is also provided with another large public dining room for the use of ladies and gentlemen together, and at the end of the corridor and opening on to a broad balcony over the street isa daintily fitted up tea room, which is intended for ladies and gentlemen in the afternoon. The whole of the apartments are lighted with electricity and furnished in lavish style ; the cuisine is excellent, the waiting prompt and quiet, and the charges very moderate. '■ I took a look through the kitchens with Mr Price, and was impressed with the ample accommodation as well as with the extraordinary cleanliness evinced everywhere. It is a great pity that according to the present laws Mr Price is unable to procure a license to sell wines or liquors, for the Trocadero is certainly a place where if liquor is to be sold at all it’s sale could be most properly controlled, for it would be simply affording to the public the same privileges enjoyed by M.H.R.’s at Bellamy’s.