Sound awesomely unique TD. This place is gone now?
Unfortunately, times change and places like Long John Silvers are cheaper and more convenient and people don't seem to have the same appreciation for fine things that they used to. That place was expensive and they did everything in their power to make it a memorable and perfect experience.
You never had to look for or call for a waiter. they watched and before a plate or platter was empty they showed up and asked what you would like next...More of the same or move to another course. The rolls were never allowed to become cool they served then two on a saucer covered by a white cloth napkin. If they were not eaten before they cooled they would replace them. THAT didn't happen very often. They were "melt in your mouth" delicious and came to you with real butter melted on them. they were even better than the school rolls!
I guess that rich people still have access to places like this but not regular people. Regular people nowadays people don't get dressed up and do special things anymore. This was the type of thing that you saved up for MONTHS for. We were not all that well off financially. We usually ate out at a sitdown restaurant once a month. My parents felt like it was important that I know how to act in NICE places. We set the table at home for supper EVERY night. One knife unless we were having steak two with a steak knife, three spoons, teaspoon, tablespoon and stirring spoon for the iced tea, two forks, dinner fork, and a salad fork, and a napkin all placed in their place.
I sort of hated all the rules when I was a kid but I have to say that I have never embarrassed myself when out with someone and we went to an expensive nice place. The table manners of most people these days is HORRIBLE! I really don't want to examine your food several times while you chew it.
I often miss some of the old ways and the nice more genteel manners of the past. It was nice sometimes for the women to be ladies and the males to be gentlemen. I still open doors for ladies. I occasionally get a smile and thank you. I also occasionally have been ridiculed and informed by a female that they didn't need or appreciate having e open the door for them. I always tell them that I didn't open the door for them because I thought they were ladies. I opened it because I AM a gentleman and they can choose to walk in or not.
I'm not sure that many people of the younger generations would know how to act in a place like the Old San Jacinto Inn. It wasn't a place for yelling, screaming, and tossing the F-bomb. The ladies always acted like ladies and had their chairs held out to seat them. They were treated like princesses or queens by all of the staff. Maybe it was a place where people could go and pretend that they were someone that they really weren't... but it was so nice. For a little while, you were treated and could experience what it must be like to be so rich that you could buy the place out of pocket if you wanted too.
Old man...old memories of a world long gone...