Formosa Cafe
| Formosa Cafe | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Restaurantinformation | |
| Established | 1925 |
| State | California |
| Country | United States |
TheFormosa Cafeis arestaurantand bar founded in 1925 and located at 7156Santa Monica Boulevardat the intersection with North Formosa Avenue, inWest Hollywood, California.
The Formosa was founded in 1925 by 1920s prize-fighter Jimmy Bernstein. Bernstein operated his establishment initially in aRed Cartrolley[1]located just east ofThe United Artists studio lot.[2]In 1945, Lem Quon went into partnership with Bernstein, taking full ownership in 1976 when Bernstein died. The restaurant remained in the family with Quon's grandson, Vince Jung, managing it.[2]Several long-term employees worked for decades at the Formosa Cafe, including bartender Lindy Bremerton who worked there for almost 50 years, waitresses Mary Kay Moore (over 40 years), bartender Nick Pappas (over 30 years) and Catherine (Cass) Marples (over 25 years).
The restaurant has a long history ofmovie starand film industry patronage due to its proximity to studio lot across the street, which began as theUnited Artistslot and was later owned byWarner Bros.Generations of movie stars such asHumphrey Bogart,David JanssenandClark Gablehave eaten meals at The Formosa.[3]Frank Sinatrais reputed to have spent many nights at the Formosa in the 1950s, pining overAva Gardner.[2]
In 1991, the restaurant was threatened with demolition when its lease expired as plans evolved for The Lot, the soon-to-be renamed Warner Hollywood studio parking lot, and what later would become the West Hollywood Gateway shopping center. Due to concerted citizen and preservationist efforts, the restaurant was preserved in its present location as a landmark. The cuisine served at Formosa is predominantly Chinese-influenced, with Beijing Chicken,Mongolian beef,wasabimashed potatoes,bok choyand mushrooms, pork belly skewers, Formosa Caesar salad, etc. Celebrities continued to frequent the establishment throughout its history.[2][4]
In 2004, the historic restaurant was dwarfed by theWest Hollywood Gatewayshopping mall which was built to its immediate east, occupying the entire southeast corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and North La Brea Avenue.[5]
In 2015, the restaurant's original red-and-black 1940s interiors were gutted and a "modern" interior was installed, despite clientele who enjoyed the nostalgic ambience.[6]After negative reactions to the change, much of the original interior was rebuilt. Less than 18 months after the gutting, just before Christmas of 2016, the Formosa Cafe closed without advance notice.[7]
In June 2017,The Los Angeles Timesannounced that the café would reopen with a new operator, the 1933 Group.[8]
As of July 2021, Formosa is open again for drinks and dining.
In popular culture
[edit]The interior and exterior of the Formosa Cafe can be seen in two key sequences in the 1997 movieL.A. Confidential,set in early 1950s Los Angeles. Other productions that have used the café includeSwingers(1996),Still Breathing(1998),The Majestic(2001),[1]and episodes of the television seriesBosch,"Blood Under the Bridge",Euphoria,"A Thousand Little Trees of Blood", andBling Empire,"What's in Anna's Shower?" (2021).[9]
References
[edit]- ^abSeeing Stars: Where the Stars Dine.
- ^abcdLelyveld, Nita (2003-09-09)."Landmark Stands in Changing Neighborhood".Los Angeles Times.Archived fromthe originalon 2022-12-27.Retrieved2022-12-27.
- ^Official Website
- ^"Formosa Cafe".MenuPages.Archived fromthe originalon 2012-04-16.Retrieved27 December2022.
- ^"West Hollywood Gateway:: 7100 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 70, West Hollywood, CA. 90046:: (323) 785-2560".
- ^Elliot, Farley (July 27, 2015)."Everyone hates the new Formosa Cafe remodel".Eater.Archived fromthe originalon June 20, 2017.RetrievedDecember 27,2022.
- ^"The Iconic Formosa Cafe in West Hollywood Has Closed - LA Weekly".6 January 2017.
- ^"Legendary Formosa Café in West Hollywood to Re-Open with New Operator"By Roger Vincent,The Los Angeles Times,June 5, 2017.
- ^Lam, Doris (23 January 2021)."Bling Empire: Christine Chiu's 5 Best Hairstyles On The Netflix Show".Tatler.Tatler Asia Limited.Retrieved21 April2023.