[Dark Saint Alaick]

Historic banquets have been held in this dining room in honor of world-renowned celebrities. Gazing upon such a magnificent dining hall, you regret that old John B. Drake, founder of the Drake dynasty in Chicago, is not alive to stage in this place one of his far-famed annual game dinners that made his Grand Pacific Hotel (now gone) the talk of the country back in the seventies.

For luncheon, however, many of the millionaires and dowagers and others prefer the smaller Lantern Room, which overlooks Michigan Avenue. Here, you may see the interesting French wall lanterns which Mrs. John B. Drake II installed and which are replicas of ones she had seen in an old chateau in France. A striking silvered frieze, depicting various medieval sports and games, is also of interest, and so are the figurines of gay-colored candy which decorate each table and which are the work of Jacques Czerwinski, product of Parisian art schools and kitchens.

While an orchestra plays, you may enjoy that delicious Drake luncheon specialty, eggs Becker, created by the late Chef Becker of the Blackstone Hotel (owned by the Drake interests) and consisting of eggs and diced lobster in Newburg sauce, served on toast. But there is a varied selection of other ready dishes and all of them, prepared under the skillful eye of Chef Theo Rooms, would meet the hearty approval of the most fastidious of epicures. The Lantern Room is open for breakfast, luncheon, dinner, and supper dances, and the prices are not extraordinarily high. And the service is truly a tribute to the genius of Chicago's most noted maitre d'hotel Eric Dahlberg.