SMALLEST RESTAURANT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5392, 25 February 1929, Page 3

SMALLEST RESTAURANT.

PREMISES IN PARIS.

“ DINNERS FO.R A DOZfiN.”

At the foot of Montmartre, in a narrow street near Notr,e Dame de Lorette, Paris, thejre is a restaurant so small that the wjaiter-there is only one—can reach, into the kitchen wit one hand antfi serve at table with the other (states Denis Weaver in the “Daily News”). It is said to be the; smallest restaurant in the world- Certainly it is the smallest in Paris. . Normally there is room for twelve to sit comfortably at the three small tables squeezed in between the bar (for there is a bar) and the opposite wall. In emergencies, however, the proprietor—who has been compelled by the competition of larger and draughtier eating-houses down < the street th change his slogan from Dinners, for. a Dozen” to “Dinners for Sixtecn ”_fits in a fourth table in a corner and takes, four more knives and forks out of. the cupboard. His jnejnus he claims proudly, are just as varied and his cellar is every bit as well stock, as are those of his rivals. “And voicj,” he .will tell ydu, with much gesticulation, if you ask him, “the advantage of a limited clientele. Here you can be sure you will have what you order;—and atonce. You for a chop—alors, your chop comes to you c,rackling a.nd succulent, d c « c to a turn. Your fried potatoes and mushrooms rfemain in their pan until you are ready for them —they do not lose their crisp tastiness between the kitchen and your plate. Ab, is it not. true, Monsieur, that too many dinei;o, as wiell as too many copks, may spoil a ‘dinner ?” The dozen “regulars” who eat here daily have never to wait for the waiter, Do they want some' more bread ? - door is within easy reach. Some more gravy ?—the handle of the ladle peeps rotund the kitchen door. Some wine ? —the bar is, before them.

•Menus as appetising as any to be had elsewhere for the same price arp provided, and the smallness of the restaurant does not imply a corresponding heaviness of bills. For a shilling you may have a satisfying meal which seems bigger, beca.use yOu eat it in a room smaller than the saloon of an air liner.

Few 'among the thousands who Stream daily past the floor towards the glittering night-clubs “up the hill” notice this tiny place where, nevertheless, you may have the most delicious c.offee you have ever tasted, and superb Camembert cheese. It is worth a visit, if only to meet the proprietor.