Old Original Bookbinders

Where to sit here is important. The path to the middle bar and the large dining room is circuitous. Patrons must first pass by "Hihowarya" tables and "Won'erful" booths on their left. Lawyers and their clients sit attentively and nonchalantly waiting to be seen and greeted.

Table #1:

"Hihowarya."

"Great Sid; saw Molly in Miami last month. She looks won'erful. You look won'erful. Have a won'erful."

Booth #2:

"Hihowarya."

"Milt, my goodness you're tan. Where were you, in Florida?"

"Yeah, we stayed with Molly and Jack."

"Yoh, Sid, hihowarya."

"Great Len, hihowarya Milt?"

"Won'erful."

Tourists abound among the fanciest, largest portions of stonecrab claws, lobsters and, on Friday, bowls of bouillabaisse and howls of politicians. Snapper soup with amber sherry and horseradish-topped oyster crackers clear more sinuses than a Congressional vote on gun legislation. Gargantuan strawberry shortcake send 'em back to Topeka as sweet as when they left, despite this restaurant's expense.