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View Full Version : Is elegance gone?


PantyFanatic
08-22-2005, 12:26 AM
I haven’t looked for it lately, :( but I’m not sure where to start today. I’m talking about old-time class, that you sank into instead of being hit in the face with it. Perhaps it’s a dead concept that only some of our senior Pixies will recall, but I was thinking today, if I ever did want to do something special with someone that may appreciate something beyond high priced trendy, I wouldn’t know where today.:(

The last place that I once did frequent during the late 70’s and early 80’s for special occasions in Cleveland was The English Oak Room, which is now long closed. It was long established from the 30’s or 40’s and was just understood. You either knew ‘The Oak Room’ or you didn’t. It was off in a side concourse of the landmark Terminal Tower, downtown.

It was one giant room with 20 ft. ceilings of gold leafed scrollwork, with dark wood, 2 ft. square sections of paneling from the floor up. The marble inlaid floor did not make it the expected echo chamber perhaps because of the tapestry type drapes that frames the many tall, leaded glass windows of two walls. The tables for two along the side had the same cracked black leather wingback chairs that you had to walk around to see if or whom may be occupying it, as the center floor tables that never left you feeling displayed. Not on a stage or over speakers, but off in a side alcove was always a solo, live piano, violin or harp playing that seemed almost inaudible but more ‘felt’.

(help me Lixy! I can’t stop. :eek: )
There was not a piece of paper or plastic in the room. The sugar was in silver patinaed bowls. The napkins were linen, and in a ring instead of folded into a swan about to leave the table. All the silver was silver as was all the glass, glass. Even the refilling water pitchers that kept your water never less than ¾ full, almost magically without notice, was glass with silver handle and bands. The staff was all with 30+ years of service with courtesy and professionalism that did not border on showmanship or pomp of any kind.

The one time that pressed duck was ordered for an anniversary dinner, the headwaiter rolled the cart with the marble based screw-press to the table after the preliminary courses without dialogue, and the white puff hated chef carved the dome covered bird, served the main pieces and proceeded to press the sauce without drum roll or spotlight. Friendly conversation relates the pride in his considerable ability and knowledge without arrogance or condescending. Many other amenities were understated and offered with grace instead of fanfare.

Does such classic elegance still exist or is this the first stage of senile reminiscence? I forgot to leave breadcrumbs when stepping out of the loop. :o

What is a class affair for a very special occasion or for a special person to you and where the hell is it at now? :confused:

Lilith
08-22-2005, 05:04 AM
We once went to what we believed, from word of mouth, to be an elegant place for a special anniversary. Not only was the wait staff obnoxious but the owner traipsed through the dining room on a house phone, making lots of noise, and a kitchen person could be heard bitching about taking the food handlers class my state requires. To top it off, my food was inedible. And no one ever asked how it was or why I had only taken one bite. It cost us a lot, during a pretty poor period of our lives, to be thoroughly disenchanted. Mr. Lilith who is shy and non-confrontational was sooooooo upset he wrote the owner a letter. They sent us a $50 gift certificate, not even getting it close, and asked us to try them again. We gave it to a friend of Mr. Lil's and have not stepped in there in 12 years.

wyndhy
08-22-2005, 10:12 AM
i've been to a few places like you describe, pf. they are often small, family owned and operated, out of the way places where the chef comes out and asks about your meal and the waitstaff doesn’t chew gum and roll their eyes when you ask for more bread.

it is a dying art though and for what, i suspect, are alot of reasons: they are expensive and peeps just can't afford it cause they've spent all their money on a new car they didn't need and cable tv with 5432756853 channels. they seem elitist and that is so far from pc that it scares people away. they aren't family friendly and nowadays, families tend to do so much more together than they used to. people don't know what to expect: if you go to tgifridays, it's the same in pennsylvania as it is in georgia.

and another~~why try to find an fabulous, unusual place to spend and evening when you can go to the mall and eat, get in a game of put-put, get new shoes, put your kids in the indoor playground for a few, eat a decent meal, shop for a new couch, have a starbucks and a dq cone all with out going anywhere else? at an elegant restaurant, you get a superb meal and excellent service. at the mall you get sensory overload.

we do both. i like to get out with bigbad and have an adult night at a fancy place. the most recent one was a wonderful italian restaurant in philly and that was ages ago. but i also love heading to the mall with the kids for a bit of sensory overload.

Steph
08-22-2005, 10:16 AM
It is a different age, definitely.

Toronto has some fabulous chefs and their restaurants can be like you've described but unfortunately, most of the time, they're super-trendy pretentious places that will look dated in 10 minutes or so.

BIBI
08-22-2005, 02:33 PM
There are three places like that still around here where I live.

Family owned and operated that have been in business for many years.
They are still playing by the old rules.

fzzy
08-23-2005, 01:28 AM
The only place I can think of really close by here that is like that is the Ritz Carlton .... but of course, it's also super pricey .... It's fun to go there for a soda or dessert at Christmas time though because they decorate the entire place to the nines. There are probably other nice places close by, I'm just not one that makes it out a great deal .... and if I do, it's usually a little more low key type of place. But, I must say PF .. you did a really great description!!!

Loulabelle
08-23-2005, 01:49 AM
I know places like that are difficult to find these days in the UK, although I can tell you that Sunday Lunch at my Mother's house was always like that (ahhh happy memories)

It still exists in France and the Far East though.....and I agree it's underrated.

Oldfart
08-23-2005, 08:05 AM
Class is a lost art here in Upper Oz.

Even if it were here, 95% of the locals wouldn't recognise it.

LixyChick
08-28-2005, 10:11 AM
LMAO@PF catching what I have! :x:

It's a shame...but round these parts elegance isn't the norm because the Pa. Dutch are a frugal bunch (<---putting it as nicely as I can muster). McDonald's prices "have gone roof high", according to those who frequent the place. I had a friend who mortgaged her house to open an adorable "coffee shop" where you could get some of the best food in town (she served breakfast and lunch only). She made all the meals and desserts herself and it was magnificent. Her roast beef sandwiches were stacked 6" high and served with au jus on the side. The cost...$5.75. Everyone who went there LOVED the food but had to add that the prices were "roof high"!!! WHAT??? :bang: You could spend more than that at Mickey D's!!!!! WTF do you want?

She never skimped on ambiance either. She had quaint little tables instead of boothes, with real cotton table clothes and napkins (that she had to launder and iron every evening...while cooking her roasts and baking her desserts for the next day's business). Her coffee was fresh ground. Her desserts were homemade and never older than a day or 2.

She eventually went out of business and had to sell her house! I was so sad for her!!!

The ambiance factor NEVER factors in for these people. It's only the price that is judged when looking for a meal to share with loved ones. Elegant dining has become a lost art around here...and I don't know if it ever really existed within 25 miles of my immediate area.

We once took a suggestion from a friend when seeking an intimate place to share a meal for a special occasion. It's a place called The Seven Stars...and we had to drive for miles. It was darker than I would have liked...but ones eyes eventually adjusted. Yes...the meal was excellent! I'd never had prime rib (and I never will again, might I add. Too fatty!), but that was the restaraunt's claim to fame. I tried a bite of Mr. Lixy's and it was tasty and thick but too fatty, and this particular one was too well done. He also had lobster, which I don't like so I refrained from grabbing a bite. I had filet mignon and crab legs (lay off the jokes PF!) and both were cooked to perfection.

The problem I had with the place was that the seating sucked. I hate boothes and I especially hate that whoever designs them seems to think everyone's torso is the same measurement. I don't feel comfortable sitting neck high to a table. OK...that might be exaggerating...but you all know what I mean! And, with the price we payed for the meal I would have preferred the elegance of the seating that PF spoke about in his long-winded opening *giggle, snort, giggle*!! For two people and a few drinks and the meal I explained (above)...sans dessert, cause I never leave room for it, it cost us close to $150.00. That wouldn't have been bad if I had the scenario of the dining PF helped us visualize!

Let's write to "In Search Of"...and see what they come up with!

WHEW! I'm done!

LMFAO!

BIBI
08-28-2005, 10:28 AM
LMAO@ booths too.... Lixy

I can't stand them either.......do they make adult booster chairs? :)