even with me,
however," said Dot, "for when I went to London I returned his visit. I
had a good dinner (not so good, I think, as I should have served), and I
sent for him to join me with the coffee. While we chatted, I ordered
cigars, repeating his words, 'Give us some of your very best.' He did,
and he charged me 7s. 6d. a piece for them." The rooms at L'Etoile are
very small, and if any one wants to prove the establishment at its best,
he should take the precaution of retaining a table and ordering dinner
beforehand.

Le Belveder is in the Rue Chair et Pain; it has lately been opened by
Jules Letellier, _ex-maitre-d'hotel_ of the Filet de Sole and brother to
Adolph Letellier of the Lion d'Or. Here the restaurant is _a la carte_,
and a speciality is made of fish and game. Things are well done, and it
is a safe place to "take on."

The Cafe Riche is opposite the Helder, and nearer to the Opera House. It
was founded in 1865 by Gautier, the nephew of Bignon of Paris, who
retains the proprietorship and management until the present time. It has
always had an aristocratic _clientele_, and is specially favoured by
Parisians visiting Brussels. During the political troubles in France the
Duc d'Orleans, Prince Victor Napoleon, and Henri Rochefort were all
patrons of the Cafe Riche, and it required all the tact and _savoir
faire_ of the proprietor to keep apart and at the same time give
satisfaction and pleasure to the conflicting parties. The Cafe Riche is
one of the best places in Brussels for a banquet or a large
dinner-party. Woodcock and snipe _a la Riche_ are specialities. Although
the prices are generally _a la carte_, one can have a lunch and dinner
at fixed price by ordering beforehand.

Duranton's, on the Avenue Louise, is now "run" by Monsieur Pierre
Strobbe, who took a first prize at the Brussels cookery exhibition. The
restaurant is pleasantly situated, and on Sunday, if you wish to go to
the races in the afternoon, it is very convenient, being on the direct
route to Boitsfort. There are three rooms on the ground floor, in which
you can lunch. That on the right, a small narrow room under the orders
of Charles, from the Black Forest, is the smartest. He will introduce
you to some special Kirsch--from the Black Forest. The cooking in all
the rooms is the same, and it is good. Order your cab to be at the door
half an hour before the first race.

The Laiterie is in the Bois de la Cambre. In summer time it is indeed