For Whom the Bell Tolls: When one local adman treats his employees to lunch at Maxim’s [3755 Richmond, (713)877-8899], he insists they order the Charlie Bell Salad, perhaps because he doesn’t want to be the only person accused of garlic breath. The classic salad ($9.75, $16.25 and $23.25) is topped with lump crabmeat and jumbo shrimp and spiked with Creole mustard, rémoulade and loads of garlic. Maxim’s founder, the late Camille Berman, named the salad in the 1940s after the board chairman of Tennessee Gas. “I don’t know if Charlie Bell created the dish,” says current owner Ronnie Berman, “or if my father made it especially for him.” Whatever its origins, we’re just glad the Bell still tolls for thee.
This article appears in Mar 9-15, 2000.