EGOTIC MEALS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1379, 4 March 1912, Page 9

EGOTIC MEALS.

A TKIUMPtI IN NOVELTY. Tho dull monotony of the European bill of faro was brought home to mt today when, as the only representative of the foreign press (writes the Paris correspondent of the "Daily Mail"). I fnced a forniWable array of exotic dishes formin;; the menu of the annual luncheon given ' y the Soeiete Rationale d'Acclimntatiim' de France in company with eighty-eight other hungry and resolute guests. From having partaken at luncheons of former years of such delicacies as camel hump, fried snnko, and grizzly bear chops, most of the company, which included Mr. Uncoil, tlio American Ambassador, and M. Stnncioff, the. Bulgarian Minister, wero hardened gourmets, but they acknowledged with bated breath on studying: this year's menu that, with the aid of M. Decatluilogne, the chef, the luncheon committee had surpassed themselves. The following extraordinary menu was served :— Hors-d'oeuvre Varies. Shavings of Dried Fish from Japan. Omelette of Frozen Chinese Eggs and Yunnan Mushrooms. American Black Ifcss, Sauce Maitro d'Hotel. Entrees. •Haunch of Zeliu from Madagascar. . Hannch of Argentine Bcof (from the spit). Mashed Chinese Ynms. Roasts. Capons with 'Watercress. Smoked Ham of Brown Russian Bear. Salad of Algerian Gourds. Entremets. Souffle of Italian Pumpkins an Kirsch. South Polar Ice. Dessert. Golden Melons from Malaga. Cheese. I'ruit. Wines: White and Hcd Burgundy, Vouvrav sec, 1900. ■ Champagne Frapper, .Malt Extract. Standard Bread, Matee, Coffee, and Liqueurs. About the room the principal pieces <le resistance were displayed on silver dishes. There were two splendid black bass, a giant bear's ham, tied up with red riljb<ms, weighing over 801b., tortuous Uu-nc-c yams, and chubby Algerian gourds. The exploration of the menu proved a fascinating and enjoyable experience. TENDER BEAU HAM. The kind of Japanese Bombay duck with which tho bill of fare owned looked like shavings and tasted like bran, while the Chinese omelette, crowned by danK black fragments of mushroom, was permeated by a strange fragrance which may have been from the East but may iilpo have been from the eggs. The black bass wero delicious, the zebu proved to jo a dark red excellent meat like beef, and the Vnr Eastern yams tasted like sweet potaBiit the chef d'oeuvre was the bear hum, delicately tender, with a strong gainey flavour which entirely restored our spit.Us depressed by the Chinese omelette; Tho gourd salad will not become popular in Paris. It is too indigestible. The pumpkin souffle and tho exqmsitelj fragrant Malaga melons were delicious, ami formed a fitting conclusion lo this original and successful menu. On every guest's plate was a cusp Roldcn roll" of standard bread, the tribute of the efforts or the society to carry on in France tho "Daily Mail" propaganda, on behalf of nutritious bread, lhe mat looked and tasted like, flat stout, whilo the Brazilian herbal drink known as mate had frankly a medicinal tlavoiif. Professor Pcrrier, head ot the oris Zoological Gardens, who presided, bid the guests welcome in a happy speech, in which ho announced that the Irench authorities wero experimenting villi the importation of frozen zebu and Argentine beef a- n corrective of the ugh prices of inent. prevalent in i'rance to-day. M. Debreuil. the courteous secretary oi 1 nsociety, toasted "the ladies, whom he thanked for their raiiraeo m attending tho "Zoological luncheon.