1935 Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book

HISTORICAL 155 one connoisseur who has since spent hundreds of thousands in collecting paintings and sculpture, got his first tuition from the pictures on the Bar walls, whose appeal was often em– phasized by the cumulative influence of cocktails or high– balls. More than one middle-aged or elderly American who has survived the era that saw bootlegging grow into. one of our most important industries, has reason to remember gratefully at least one feature of this particular American School of Drinking, and in which, perhaps, it was preemi– nent among institutions of similar learning. This was the free lunch table. There are many rich .men in this land to– day, who, were they frank, could date their first acquaint– ance with Russian caviar to that generous board. There, too, many of them ~rst learned of the superb succulence of Virginia "vintage" ham. As a matter of fact, the exoteric could there give the "once-over" to delicacies they had never before seen-or even imagined. No menu in puz– zling French to mystify or confuse. The uninitiate saw what he saw, and what he fancied he could sample at his leisure. And spread out for his delectation-for he was free to choose, and to whatever extent-wc::re light and savory canapes, thirst-provoking anchovies in various-tinted guises, and other delicacies; and there were substantial slices of beef or ham, ordinary as well as Virgin~a, and a wonder– ful assortment of cheeses of ·robust odors; not forgetting the crisp radishes and sprightly, delicate spring onions, and olives stuffed and unstuffed. The temporary addicts of the lunch table were never disturbed, or rarely. Their meal ticket depended merely upon good conduct-supported, of course, by a good front. The occasional investment of a quarter in a bottle of beer