This section is from the book "The Art Of Naming Dishes On Bills Of Fare", by L. Schumacher. Also available from Amazon: The Art of Naming Dishes on Bills of Fare.
In the following clippings from an original bill of fare of a high class and prominent restaurant in New York Ave find several names Avhich will not be understood by the most English speaking people. There are: Pigs in Blankets; Hoover's Platter, etc. How many aa^II have to ask what these are before they order, and hoAV many will neither ask nor order if only these names are given (as is sometimes done) and no explanation. The following clippings with their detailed explanations of all style names (a la....................................) are wonderful exceptions in the restaurant world. It is perhaps possible that these bills of fare with their intelligible names, were to a large extent responsible for the great success of the house where they were used.
THE BASE OF OUR SUCCESS.
COMBINATION PLATE DINNERS
AND
PLANKED FISH, POULTRY and STEAKS
Half Broiled Spring Chicken, with Virginia Bacon, Asparagus Tips and Broiled Fresh Mushrooms, Stuffed Celery, Crab Meat, Hearts of Lettuce with Russian Dressing, Baked Potato ................................................................................................................................ 1.10
Individual Planked One Pound Club Bone Steak 1.00
Service One Person Only. Additional Service, 25c.
Delicious Tender Beefsteak and Mushroom Sauce, Fried Filet of Sole, Fresh Virginia Crab Meat gratinated, Dill Pickles, Potato ................................................................................................................................ 1.00
With Broiled Fresh Mushrooms and Virginia Bacon, under Glass.
Half Broiled Spring Chicken, with Broiled Fresh Mushrooms and Asparagus Tips, Steamed Soft Clams with Butter Sauce, Stuffed Celery, Fried Filet of Sole, Hearts of Lettuce with Russian Dressing, Crab Meat gratinated 1.10
Individual Planked Half Spring Chicken, Sou. Style $1
Additional Service.
Broiled Stuffed Lobster, Half; Steamed Soft Clams with Butter Sauce, Fresh Virginia Crab Meat gratinated, Sliced Tomatoes and Celery .........................................................................90
Tenderloin Steak En Casserole, for two, 2.25
Roast Vermont Turkey, Stuffed; with Asparagus Tips and Cranberry Sauce, Hearts of Lettuce with Russian Dressing, Steamed Soft Clams with Butter Sauce, Stuffed Celery, Fresh Virginia Crab Meat gratinated ............____1.10
For two, 2.75; for three, 3.75; for four, 4.75
Broiled One-Pound Mutton Chop, Fried Filet of Sole, Crab Flake gratinated, Stuffed Green Peppers, Table Celery, and Potatoes ...................................................................................................— 1.15
Whole Broiled Tenderloin (full filet) Fam. Style.
For Six, 5.00; Planked, 6.50.
Genuine Blue Point Oysters ....................-................................ 20-35
Famous Cape Cod Oysters.............._..........................................25-40
Selected Little Neck Clams.............._..........................................20-35
Large Pink Cherrystones ............................_...................._........... 25-40
Lynnhaven Oysters ....._.................................................................._........... 30
Baket Guilford Soft Clams with Green Peppers and Shrimp Salad, Russian Dressing......................_...............50
Roast Lynhaven Oysters, in Shell, with Virginia Bacon and Green Peppers, Shrimp Salad, Russ Dressing..............................................................................._.........._________ .50
Steamed Soft Clams, with Plenty of Prre Clam Broth and Butter Sauce_______..........................____........................ .50
Large Oyster Fry, Rockefeller, with Virginia Bacon and Broiled Fresh Mushrooms ......................_______......45
Pigs in Blankets (Large Oysters, wrapped in Virginia Bacon, Roasted with Green Peppers and Shrimp Salad, Russian Dressing) .....________...................60
Every Oyster or Clam opened to order.
Royal Grape Fruit Cocktail....................„.........................................25
Real Mexican Chili Meat (Chili con Carne)................. .25
Shrimp Cocktail ..........._.........._............._________.............................................30
Stuffed Celery .....................................____________________......................................30
Lobster Cocktail...............................................____________....................______......30
Table Celery .....„................................_........._____......._............._.....................25
Chicken with Leeks (Cooke Leekey) .............................-......10
Tomato Soup ..........._.......________.................................-.................-....................10
Consomme with Rice; Chicken Broth in Cup „...........-.. .10
Clear Green Turtle ....._____......-.......______........______________________...............20
Pure Clam Juice.............._____.............................—........-----------...............10
Onions gratinated with Parmesan Cheese........................25
Veal Steak Bordelaise Sauce.
Crab Meat au Gratin, Lettuce, Tomato, Stuffed.
Green Peppers, Potatoes ......................................................... 1.00
Large Oysters Stewed in Pure Cream, Milk and Butter........................-...........................______.......—............—.....-........45
 
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