Various, Various

Notes from the collector: Lafitte’s Landing – circa 1989. On the Mississippi some 50 miles north of N. O. One of my fraternity brothers is the only person I know who has always lived in the same house except for his university ears. When we were staying with him he suggested this place. A nice short drive, good food and a bit of sightseeing on the way. We stopped at Oak Alley where an automobile commercial was being filmed. We helped ourselves to the refreshing beverages on the porch. Further on, Tim pointed out a fairly new bridge and asked me what I saw which was slightly different. My eyes must have been on vacation too as I couldn’t see anything unusual. Tim said the local candidate for some office promised to get a bridge for the locals across the mighty Mississippi. Tim said have another look and note there are no approaches! The candidate said he would get the bridge, but didn’t say it would have any approaches! Louisiana has always had a fascinating political background going back to Huey P. Long in the early part of last century. Now the restaurant – the chef and owner was selected by President Reagan to go with him to Iceland when he had a meeting with the Russian President!The Australian and American Association dinner at the Hilton Hotel sometime in the 80’s. I got to carve the turkey at our table. The detail on American Culinary Heritage is very detailed and thoroughly interesting.The Fijian – breakfast menu. Bottom cup of coffee – 25 cents gives one an idea of the date. I was shown the second kitchen currently at that time not in use. Just as well as all the pots hanging up were rusted. The Kon-Tiki, Sheraton Portland, 1959. A hotelie, ex fraternity brother Ross Bell ‘57 was the Sales Manager when we were living in Portland. Ross was the head of the Army ROTC Corps at Cornell and thought he would make the Army his career. After being posted to Alaska he soon changed his mind. Tropical themes were very popular back in those days. Maybe the musical South Pacific added to their appeal. Note a daiquiri was 85 cents and a stinger $1. Ross went on to manage the Sheraton Universal and then the Sheraton at the LAX.And to top things off one of the best at the time. Restaurant de la Pyramide in Vienne, France between Lyon and Marsailles. The day we stopped there for lunch was the day they were closed, but the next best thing was to get a copy of the menu. Madame Point ran the restaurant after her husband died. Hand written adds a bit of class and a set price was probably way ahead of its time. 150 frances then about $30. Expensive, not when it is one of the great restaurants in the world. The book on Mess. Point is in the Hotel School Library and certainly worth reading. Paul Bocuse was just one of the apprentices who gained from working there. About 1977.