The Elegant Art of Dining: Bohemian San Francisco, Its ... - iMedia

amshackle building extending back through two or three rooms filled with
all manner of old curios such as comes from sailing vessels that go to different
parts of the world. These curios were piled indiscriminately everywhere, and
there were boxes and barrels piled with no regard whatever for regularity. This
heterogeneous conglomeration was covered with years of dust and cobwebs,
hence the name. Around and over these played bears, monkeys, parrots, cats,
and dogs, and whatever sort of bird or animal that could be accommodated
until it had the appearance of a small menagerie. Warner served crab in various
ways and clams. In the rear room, which was reached by a devious path through
the debris, he had a bar where he served the finest of imported liquors, French
brandy, Spanish wines, English ale, all in the original wood. He served no
ordinary liquor of any sort, saying that if anybody wanted whiskey they could
get it at any saloon. He catered to a class of men who knew good liquors, and
his place was a great resort for children, of whom he was fond and who went
there to see the animals. The frontispiece of this book is from one of the few
existing (if not the only one) photographs of the place.
Equally unique, yet of higher standard, was the Palace of Art, run by the
Hackett brothers, in Post street near Market. Here were some of the finest
paintings and marble carvings to be found in the city, together with beautiful
hammered silver plaques and cups. Curios of all sorts were displayed on the
walls, and among them were many queer wood growths showing odd shapes
as well as odd colorings. A large and ornate bar extended along one side of the
immense room and tables were placed about the room and in a balcony that
ran along one side. Here meals were served to both men and women, the latter
being attracted by the artistic display and unique character of the place. This was
destroyed by the fire and all the works of art lost.
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