Take me away to another land, another place, and help me forget my troubles. There seemed to be a huge push in exotic restaurants in the 1950s and 1960s.
Approximately 128 years ago, many Chinese came to the Pacific Northwest to work on the railroad. When the construction of the railroad was completed, the labor force was discontinued. In spite of being paid less than the going rate, the Chinese worked for as much as they could get. No one ever asked them to join any labor organization. “Americanized” Chinese food was flavorsome and inexpensive, so a number of Chinese American restaurants sprang up in Seattle.
Ruby Chow’s Chinese Restaurant employed Bruce Lee in 1959, when he moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington.
Trader Vic’s South Seas atmosphere first hit the Seattle scene in 1949, where it opened in the Westin Hotel. Trader Vic’s was the place to dine and dress to the nines. It rated right up there with Canlis and Rossellini’s. This restaurant can still be visited around the world, including in international destinations such as Bangkok, Dubai, London, and Munich. Bellevue is the 24th Trader Vic’s location.
Roy Seko introduced Bush Garden, a glamorous Japanese restaurant that opened in 1953 and is still going strong today. Dining in the Tatami (pronounced ta-ta-me) Rooms was a hit in the 1950s. Today people still enjoy being pampered in a warm tropical atmosphere, a place where time is forgotten.
BENIHANA OF TOKYO. Benihana whose motto is, “Your table is our kitchen,” is located in the IBM Plaza in downtown Seattle. Written on the backside of this postcard is, “A delightful and entertaining dining experience is Benihana’s promise to you. You’ll be served the finest in steaks, prepared with skill and showmanship by a chef born and trained in Japan. Shown here is Seattle’s new, 40-seat ‘Benihana Room.’” (Courtesy of Yoji Kan.)
BUSH GARDEN MAILER-STYLE POSTCARD. Roy Seko was the owner and manager of the Japanese restaurant called the Bush Garden in Seattle’s international district. On the back of the postcard it stated, “Leisurely dining in a picturesque Japanese atmosphere at the world famous Bush Garden restaurants. . . . Authentic Japanese dishes served by colorfully kimonoed waitresses. . . . The privacy of your own tatami room and your own telephone.” (Author’s collection.)
BUSH GARDEN MENU. When ordering the Sukiyaki dinner, the diner would watch the dish of paper-thin prime rib and crisp vegetables sizzle while sipping on warm sake. Bush Garden was located at 614 Maynard Avenue South. (Author’s collection.)
GIM LING RESTAURANT. The back of this 1950s postcard states, “An entrance into another world of truly fine dining. Expertly prepared food that is traditional with our chefs, served in a magnificent atmosphere. An exquisite cocktail lounge to delight all connoisseurs. Dinner reservations appreciated. Main 4-0919 Gim Ling 516 7th Avenue So. Seattle, Washington.” (Courtesy of John Cooper.)
THE CHINA PHEASANT SOUVENIR PHOTOGRAPH. New Year’s Eve, on Monday, December 31, 1945, found four friends at the China Pheasant. Surrounding the photograph were the words, “Come back and see us— Bob Harvey,” “This and more too- Jo,” and “Josie, Never had it so goodsays one ‘workin’ gal to another, Sylvia.” (Author’s collection.)
CHINA PHEASANT NEW YEAR’S MENU. Shown here is a souvenir menu for New Year’s 1945 at the China Pheasant Restaurant, located one mile south of the Seattle city limits on Tacoma Highway at 10315 East Marginal Way. Notice the federal, state, and county taxes. (Author’s collection.)
CHINA PHEASANT MENU COVER. On the menu it stated, “A charge of 15¢ per person will be made for ice and/or glass service to patrons who bring liquor in but do not order mixers.” The restaurant offered both American and Chinese food. (Author’s collection.)
CHINA PHEASANT CHINESE MENU. As can be seen here, the most expensive item on the menu was No. 5, the China Peasant Special, for $2.50. Every Sunday evening Bob Harvey and his Melody Makers presented Arthur Murray Studios Champagne Hour at the China Pheasant. (Author’s collection.)
HONG KONG RESTAURANT. Sam Yee’s Hong Kong Restaurant, located at 507 Maynard Avenue South in Chinatown, was the most frequented Chinese restaurant in Seattle’s international district. The cooking was traditional Cantonese with such specialties as boned sesame chicken. Cocktails were served in the Sampan Room, where Ruby Chow tended bar. (Courtesy of John Cooper.)
KALUA ROOM. Gwynne Austin developed a Polynesian-style restaurant with a South Seas atmosphere. Diners overlooked an orchid waterfall. This c. 1960 postcard shows the Kalua Room, which was located in the Hotel Windsor. The menu was illustrated with bright red shell and bamboo designs. Two ring-tailed monkeys in an air-conditioned cage entertained diners in another part of the restaurant. (Author’s collection.)
NEW GROVE RESTAURANT. Les Brainard welcomed diners to Seattle’s New Grove Restaurant, so named because it was located in a grove of trees. Brainard had his own special seasoning for broiled seafood, steaks, lamb chops, and calf’s liver. The restaurant was located at 522 Wall Street in Seattle. (Courtesy of John Cooper.)
TRADER VIC’S OUTRIGGER RESTAURANT. Costumed waiters are serving ostrich meat at Outrigger Restaurant in Seattle in 1960. The Outrigger Restaurant was located in the Ben Franklin Hotel on Fifth Avenue between Virginia and Stewart Streets. (Courtesy of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer Collection, MOHAI, No. 1986.5.11384.1.)
TRADER VIC’S DRINK MENU. The drink menu for Trader Vic’s was quite elaborate. The business was well known for its strong mai tais and rum kegs. Dr. Neil Hampson worked evenings as maitre d’. Trader Vic’s was visited by celebrities such as Ella Fitzgerald. (Courtesy of Nancy Leson, Seattle Times.)
OUTRIGGER RESTAURANT. A waitress is serving customers inside the Outrigger Restaurant in September 1959. The restaurant was created by Trader Vic for Western Hotels, with George Olsen as the manager. There was a Tiki Room with two huge, round Chinese ovens, a Garden Room with greenery and a corrugated tin roof with Oriental newspapers on the ceiling, and a Ship’s Cabin copied after the Yankee Clipper with wood planks and lanterns. (Courtesy of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer Collection, MOHAI, No. 1986.5.11383.1.)
