1931 Old Waldorf Bar Days by Albert Stevens Crockett

Old Waldorf Bar Days never got higher than something like district superin– tendent for his company, but he was a diplomatist and an excellent salesman. And how many tangles he straightened out during his lifetime for politicians, statesmen, business men and average citizens who told him their matrimonial troubles, one could only guess who ·knew both him-and many he served. KNIGHTS OF THE PALATE In the crowd, about the end of the first decade of the century, came to be noticed four or five men whose occupation, when disclosed, opened the eyes of many other patrons, who had not heard of such a job. They were tea-tasters, and got big salaries for the judicial exercise of their palates. They developed in time into champagne drinkers, and so exclusive were they, that they would patronize only the Hoffman House bar and theWaldorf. And, avers one who knew them, "Bright's," in time, got most of them. Some of the new-money men and strangers who turned the handle of the south door, found in the Grill room certain novelties that awed them. At one end had been installed an elaborate "silver grill," as it was called, where patrons could view cooks in white caps and coats and aprons plying their trade. In the center of the room was an elaborate cold buffet, whereon, after the fashion in vogue in certain well-known restaurants abroad, one viewed an array of tempting cold dishes, in composition and decoration unfamiliar to many who looked upon th~m. But this was not all. By the side of the buffet table was a pool, where real, [ 60]