Tips on Tables Robert
W. Dana October 2, 1957
Famous Kitchen Convenient to Theater
Roast prime rib of beef- in a New York restaurant is a dish one expects
to pay a fairly good price for even as an a la carte order, but when
it's served a full-course dinner for $3.25 every day of the week except
Sundays, then it deserves special attention.
I am using this, dish as, an example of the kind of value to, be found
at the Famous Kitchen, which has served hungry customers in the theater
district since prohibition days at its convenient location at 318
W. 45th, St.
This isn't an ordinary restaurant of modest proportions either. Tommy
and Johnny, who greet their guests as host and bartender, res pectively
offer spacious dining rooms that are as comfortable as they are beautiful,
With green banquettes, broken occasionally by an elbow rest, handsomely
mounted mirrors and an accoustical ceiling relieved by graceful light
fixtures.
Tyrone Power Guest.
On the walls of the cocktail lounge, which now boasts a mirrored ceiling
identical to one Tommy saw in Paris, are framed pictures of famous
stars of the theater. Tommy befriended Tyrone Power in his lean early
days on Broadway. Tyrone returned the gesture when he became, a star
by sending his colleagues there. The parade has never stopped, and
the general public long since has joined the act.
Except for Sundays, when it is closed, the Famous Kitchen serves a
table d'hote lunch from $1.25 and a full-course dinner, from $2.95.
The dinner includes appetizer, soup, pasta course, main course with
vegetables and potatoes (salad request), dessert and coffee.
On a typical dinner menu appear such main courses as lobster Newburg,
broiled shrimp maison, veal scallopine, veal cutlet parmigiana, frog
leg Provencal, roast turkey, sugar cured ham with champagne and broiled
chicken. For $4.45 you can have a sirloin steak on the dinner.
Hosts Special Dishes.
On numerous occasions I have recommended the Famous Kitchen
to friends who were going to the theater. While the menu carries enough
of a variety to suit all tastes, there are many other dishes Tommy
likes to trot out for appreciative guests.
If you leave it to Tommy you might get a chance to try his mixture
of lobster and shrimp with chopped celery anchovies, capers, green,
peppers an red onions mixed in a combination of French dressing and
cocktail sauce.
Given time, his chef will turn out a risotto Milanese that you won't
forget for many days. Maybe. You'll have the homemade manicotti Whatever
it is, it will be very good, and when you are handed the check, you
will be glad you ate so well for so little.
Click here to view the Famous Kitchen menu
complete with cocktails. |