Cathay Tea Garden, 1221-23-25 Chestnut St., Philadelphia [graphic].
Title
Cathay Tea Garden, 1221-23-25 Chestnut St., Philadelphia
Description
Menu for the Cathay Tea Garden located at 1221-1225 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. The green and gold menu cover depicts a Chinese woman, attired in a dress and high-heeled shoes, raising her left hand to her chin as she faces the viewer. She stands on a balcony or bridge overlooking a landscape of trees and mountains under a moonlit sky. The menu is in English and organized by number in sections for “Wines and Liquors” (#1-167); “Chinese Menu” (#1-179); and “American Menu” (#181-383). The Chinese menu includes categories for chop suey, chow mein, Chinese omelettes, and a prix fixe “Table d’Hote” with three different options and prices from $1.25 to $2.50. The American menu includes categories for sea food, steaks, salads, and sandwiches. The restaurant advertises music, broadcasting, and dancing from 12 to 2:00 P.M., 6 to 8 P.M., and 10 to 1 A.M. with a note that “our patrons are requested to dance only with their escorts. This rule is for the protection of both you and us.” A one sheet insertion, decorated with a red border of bamboo, promotes three Table D’Hote dinners for Tuesday, August 17th for 85 cents, $1.10, and $1.35. The Cathay Tea Garden, also called the Cathay Restaurant, was a Chinese restaurant that had a large dance floor where musicians and bands played. They also broadcasted a live radio show. The restaurant closed in 1973., Title from item., Date inferred from content and active dates of business., Gift of Linda Kimiko August.
Date
[ca. 1930]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department *ephemera - Menus - C [P.2023.43.7]
The Walnut Street Theatre, 119th and 120th season [graphic].
Title
The Walnut Street Theatre, 119th and 120th season
Description
Program for performance of The Mikado or, The town of Titipu, the opera by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan at the Walnut Street Theater, Philadelphia in January, 1928. Includes a list of the cast of the two act opera; history of the Mikado; article on the upcoming performance of the musical Chicago; and an article on Winthrop Ames. Cover image shows a decorative stone structure with sphinx, satyr, women, and urns against a red background. Advertisements include: Chinese restaurants, King Joy, Mandarin Cafe, Cathay Tea Garden; Mirador restaurant; Frigidaire; Bonschur & Holmes, opticians; Locust Laundry; Joseph Rieder, money lender; and Stetson Hats., Title from item., Date inferred from dates of the stage production., Cast of performers include: John Barclay, William Williams, Fred Wright, William C. Gordon, J. Humbird Duffey, Lois Bennett, S. Russell Sterling, Bettina Hall, Vera Ross, George C. Lehrian, Paula Langlen. Settings & costumes: Raymond Sovey. Dances: Michio Ito. Stage Manager: John Clements. Winthrop Ames: Managerial sponsor of the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company., Advertisements for Philadelphia Chinese restaurants include: King Joy “Leading Chinese-American Restaurant, S.E. Corner 12th and Chestnut Streets. Art Coogan and His Orchestra, Broadcasting Nightly Thru W.I.P. The city’s most delightful Restaurant to dine and dance” and depicting a Chinese woman, attired in a tunic and pants, holding a parasol; Mandarin Café “1016-18 Chestnut St. Smartest Café in Town, Announcing Ruth Bott and Her Studio Girl Orchestra, First Girl’s Most Unique Orchestra in Philadelphia, Dancing”; and Cathay Tea Garden “Chinese-American Restaurant, 1223 Chestnut Street, Billy Hays, Popular Song Writer and His Cathay Tea Garden Dance Orchestra, Dancing” and depicting a Chinese woman, wearing her hair up and attired in a tunic, pants, and slip on shoes, holding a fan in each hand.
Date
1928
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department *ephemera -- Misc. - Walnut [P.2024.37]