Semiramis Hotel. Eygpt

The first "luxury" hotel to be buit on the banks of the Nile in 1907. Not much information available on it but there is large number of Semiramis Hotels throughout the middle east possibly named after this one. It was a six story building which was quite high for its day and except for the large brass beds which were imported from England, the rooms were decorated in Empire style by Keller & Co of Zurich. What was new to Hotels was its spectacular roof garden, a first in flat arid Eygpt. This menu is from that famous roof garden. T.E. Lawrence (of Arabia) was a guest at one time. The last eventful occasion was in February 1955 when the Aga Khan III was weighed for the last time in precious metals. He died the following year. The Hotel was demolished in 1970 to make way for the New Semiramis Intercontinental.

The Lido, Paris

A famous cabaret in Paris, perhaps not as well known as the Moulin Rouge but interesting all the same.  Don't you just salivate at the "Delux' menu for about $6.00 in 1950. Tomato soup and Hamburger but I suppose relatively good for that era.  Unbelievable that patrons were offered a choice between Hamburger and Chateaubriand. Today the deluxe menu and show is 300 euros plus service charges and drinks. How times and tastes have changed!!!

Dukes Hotel London

A 5 star boutique hotel in a prime London position built in 1908 but much renovated to a high standard modern establishment. This menu is from the 1980's with many classical English dishes. I love the old fashioned description of desserts as "puddings" and only England persists with the traditional course of savouries after desserts. Overall a well designed menu with many tempting items.

Goring Hotel, London

An elegant menu as befits an extremely elegant hotel. Built in 1910, it has remained in the Goring family for 4 generations and is situated next to Bucking Palace. Obviously very posh neighbours. I like the idea of the seafood mixed grill!! This menu is from 1989.

Empress Hotel, Canada

This beautiful hotel was built in 1908 and has entertained royalty and movie stars too numerous to mention. In 1989 $45 million was spent to totally renovate this glorious old building into one of the stars of the Fairmont luxury hotel chain. The main dining room is called the " Empress Room " and has 10 metre high ceilngs all wooden and decoratively carved.

We had just been to a "Titanic" exposition at the local museum and Imax theatre when we dropped in to have a look and noticed they were having a "Titanic" reproduction dinner so of course we stayed.

Gordon Ramsey's London

The original Gordon Ramsey's in Hospital Road Chelsea. Had a London friend book for us some months in advance,we were not disappointed. Although I am not a fan of Gordons personality, there is no doubt he can cook. The restaurant seats 48 and 14 wait staff so the service was perfect. The kitchen had some 12 chefs so naturally the food was also perfect. Although certainly one of the most expensive meals I have ever eaten, it still remains in my memory as one of the best if not the best I have had around the world.

Menzies Hotel Melbourne

This was the 1st of my many menus, the start of my collection. As a Hotel Management student at William Angliss Institute, I heard about the demolishment of this Melbourne icon, so I went with my fellow student (current London Resident) Don to have a look around. Of course in those days (1969) there was no such thing as Occupational Health and Safety, so we just wandered onto the demolition site and strolled through the building. In the kitchen was a skip bin into which workers were shovelling debris into. I noticed it included some old menu so I thought, they look interesting, I'll grab those.
The menu is from 1947 and is luncheon with a liquor permit Number 104.The price of the table d'hote meal was 5/6 (five shillings and sixpence) the equivalent in decimal currency of 55 cents. The menu listd the 8 courses which would not have been degustation size, so its a marvel that people could actually eat all that food.

In 1896 itwas remodelled by the addition of two extra stories making it one of Melbourne's largest hotels designed for the wealthy landed families. Some famous guests include Alexander Graham Bell, Dame Nellie Melba and Mark Twain. During the second world war it was the Allied Pacific Forces headquarters under General Macarthur.

Luncheon to the honourable Lyndon B. Johnson.

Here is a fascinating piece of Australiana for everybody to enjoy. 1966
A luncheon for Lyndon B Johnson, USA president ( having been signed in as president on a plane from Texas after the assassination of JFK) given by Harold Holt ( the only Australian Prime Minister to totally disappear in a swimming accident off Portsea beach).
Note the generic style wines being served; Moselle, burgundy and champagne ( who would serve a sweet Moselle style wine with prawns?)
Whiting Caprice...crumbed and fried whiting fillets topped with fried banana!!!!!
Pineapple Capricornia..god knows what this is....

Surely protocol would call for the toast to the sovereign head of the host country first.!! but "all the way with LBJ" was the norm for the time.

TETSUYA'S, 2008.

Australia's top restaurant for many years. An unbelievable restaurant experience for many reasons. 1. You have to book months in advance 2. The service is absolutely impeccable 3. the food is amazing in both presentation and taste 4. the ambiance is unbeatable.
It is not cheap, but one would not expect it to be. the signature dish of Confit of Ocean Trout lived up to its reputation and then some. I could not  believe the flavour of the cold sweet corn soup, I've not had any food with such intense flavour.

And of course the bonus for me is the menu was signed by Tetsuya himself

CUSTOMS HOUSE, 2012.

Time for something more modern and Australian.
CUSTOMS HOUSE. 2012

Set in the basement of the old bluestone customs house of the 1800's, this is new and popular restaurant on the Geelong scene. From my experience there last week I believe it will one of Geelongs top restaurants (especially if the packed restaurant is anything to go by). The service was very efficient, the food excellent, delicious and beautifully presented, the wine list extensive and appropriate.

BARDELLI'S of SAN FRANCISCO, 1970.

BARDELLI'S of San Francisco 1970

A beautiful menu featuring the famous stained glass window of the restaurant. A typical menu of its time with set dinners which include Hors dóeuvres, soup, salad, main with vegetables and cheese or a sweet. A la carte menu as well, notice the Australian Lobster Tails for $6.10 (we wish). Overall quite an extensive and up market menu.

PER SE, NEW YORK, 2009.

PER SE RESTAURANT/ NEW YORK.  2009

Thomas Keller's version of his famous Napa Valley restaurant, The French Laundry. Salmon cornet and signature Oysters and Pearls open the meal at both. Daily menus offer nine petit courses of perfectly wrought modernAmerican cuisine. Has been recognised as America's best restaurant.

BARCLAU HOTEL, Philadelphia, 1960s.

A menu from the lovely Barclau Hotel in Philadelphia. Note the attractive art deco graphics. The menu is from the 1960's and has a very large selection of items in the classic style (with the exception of the sandwiches ). As usual for American menus when they say entrees, it means main course.

S.S. MONTEREY, 1931.

An old menu from 1934 of the S.S. Monterey, a luxury cruise liner launched in 1931 to promote travel to Hawaii and other Pacific ports. Served as a fast troop carrier in World War II. Carried 701 passengers (472 first class, 229 cabin class). The menu is from a Sunday luncheon October 21st. Typical menu of the day with appetisers, soups, Mains with grills and cold meats, vegetable selection, deserts, cheese and beverages