Browsing through the menu collection's boxes of 1970s material, I came across some wonderful menus largely from restaurants outside New York. Among them was this bill of fare from Pub Renault on the Champs-Élysées, dated March 10, 1977.
Pub Renault, which was the café located next door to the Renault showroom, opened in 1963 and was popular with tourists wandering the Champs-Élysées until it closed in 1999. As the New York Times reported upon the Pub's opening:
Pub Renault, which was the café located next door to the Renault showroom, opened in 1963 and was popular with tourists wandering the Champs-Élysées until it closed in 1999. As the New York Times reported upon the Pub's opening:
The amusing décor, well worth a visit, is based on photographic blow-ups and models of cars. The open car tables are lit by headlights and there are rear view mirrors on table stands for repairing make-up after snacks. The fare is of cross-vintage, part American drugstore, part tearoom, with a few French fillips. In keeping with the automobile theme are the "chauffeur's hamburger" and an overwhelming sundae called "granddaddy's car."I love the wonderful way advertisements are woven throughout the menu, and I'm especially loving the Coca-Cola ad below. I just want to run my fingers through the beautiful shag rug and eat Cheez Doodles. Very French, n'est-ce pas?
(click to enlarge)
