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Mr Chow

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This article is about the restaurant chain. For people, seeChow (surname).
Mr Chow
Company typePrivate
IndustryRestaurant
FoundedFebruary 14, 1968
FounderMichael Chow
Headquarters
New York City
,
United States
Area served
United States, Europe
ProductsChinese cuisine
OwnerMichael Chow

Mr Chowis a series ofupscaleChinese restaurants founded byBritish-ChineserestaurateurMichael Chow.[1][2][3]There are locations in London, New York, Beverly Hills, Miami, and Las Vegas.[4]

History[edit]

In the 1960s, London was experiencing acultural revolution.Michael Chow, son of ChinesePeking OperaGrand Master,Zhou Xinfang,studied art in London before embarking upon a business career in parallel to his acting career. On February 14, 1968, Chow opened the first Mr Chow at an oldKnightsbridgecurry house in London. The waiters were Italian and there weren't any chopsticks, "it was like telling people the world was square, he said.[5]Soon,The Beatlesfrequented the restaurant. Other famous diners includedFederico Fellini,Frank SinatraandJeanne Moreau.[5]

In 1974, a second location was opened inBeverly Hills, California,US.Clint Eastwoodand Eartha Kitt came to the launch;Billy Wilder,Anjelica HustonandJack Nicholsonbecame regulars.[5]

In 1979, a third Mr Chow was opened inMidtown Manhattanat 57th Street, which became a hot spot for creative luminaries in the 1980s. "Suddenly it was like a repeat of the Sixties London happening inNew York— the city was at the epicentre ofart world,and the fashion world...Andy[Warhol] started coming in withJulian [Schnabel],Jean-Michel [Basquiat],his girlfriendMadonnaandKeith [Haring],"Chow recalled.[5]

In 1999, Chow openedEurochow,a restaurant located in a $4-million restoration of a landmark domed building inWestwood Villageneighborhood ofLos Angeles,that closed by 2007.[6][7]

In 2006, the fourth Mr Chow opened in theTribecaneighborhood of Manhattan.[8][9]

In 2009, a location opened inMiami Beach, Floridaat theW Hotel South Beach.[10]

In 2012, a location opened inMalibu, Californiaat theMalibu Country Marton New Year's Eve.[11]This restaurant closed on January 2, 2020.[12][13]

In 2016, a Mr Chow opened atCaesars Palacein Las Vegas.[14]

Reception[edit]

Michael Chow has said the Mr Chow restaurants have always been underlined by a desire and need to promoteChinese culture.[15]"China always has been a great, great nation", Chow stated in aWall Street Journalinterview and added, "Chinese people — I like them. What can I say?"[15]

Alan RichmanofGQ Magazine,described the experience at Mr Chow as one "that cannot be defined by customary standards but must be appreciated for its sheer fabulousness."[16]The New York TimescriticFrank Brunigave Mr Chow Tribeca zero stars, andNew Yorkmagazine critic Adam Platt gave it a similarly dismal review.[17][18]The goal of his restaurant design is to be fancy and expensive, being quoted as saying "Expensive is important. Very important."[17]

Despite the longevity of his restaurants, Chow believes Mr Chow has never had the culinary recognition it deserves.[5]In an interview withThe Sunday Telegraphin 2011, Chow stated:

"It's like theclichéabout all blondes being dumb. Because we're so glamorous and so many famous people come to us, the critics would rather point to some little greasy spoon and say, 'Oh isn't the food marvellous.' But we wouldn't have survived for 43 years if the food were no good. And what you find is that most critics don't study Chinese food in the way that they studyFrench wine,so their only reference is casual food liketakeaway."[5]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^"L'Oreal hosts a luncheon with Diane Keaton at Mr. Chow's".12 February 2010.Retrieved8 January2017.
  2. ^"Crocodile love at Mr. Chow".17 November 2010.Retrieved8 January2017.
  3. ^Hallock, Betty."Chow restaurant lawsuit: Too many Chows in the kitchen?".Retrieved8 January2017.
  4. ^PETTERA, ANGELA (28 May 1998)."The Modern Mr. Chow".Retrieved8 January2017– via LA Times.
  5. ^abcdefWalden, Celia (2011-08-07)."Mr Chow: interview".The Telegraph.Retrieved2023-12-03.
  6. ^Mr. Chow Makes Splash in Westwood With New Eurochow,Los Angeles Times,July 1, 1999, accessed August 31, 2016.
  7. ^Got $700k? Let's Buy Eurochow!,LA Curbed, January 20, 2007, accessed August 31, 2016.
  8. ^Leventhal, Ben (2006-05-02)."Mr. Chow Tribeca: Resy Line Open!".Eater NY.Retrieved2022-05-22.
  9. ^"New Mr. Chow, Same Formula".The New York Times.28 June 2006.Retrieved8 January2017.
  10. ^"MR CHOW".DiningOut Miami.Retrieved2022-05-22.
  11. ^Tomicki, Hadley."Mr. Chow Opening in Malibu on New Year's Eve".Grub Street.Retrieved2022-05-22.
  12. ^Stuart, Gwynedd (2020-01-18)."Mr. Chow in Malibu Quietly Closes Its Doors".Los Angeles Magazine.Retrieved2022-05-22.
  13. ^Elliott, Farley (2020-01-15)."Two more big restaurant names are closing around Los Angeles".Eater LA.Retrieved2022-05-22.
  14. ^"Mr Chow restaurant opens in Las Vegas: 'The only thing Chinese is my name'".the Guardian.2016-01-23.Retrieved2022-05-22.
  15. ^ab"Mr. Chow Celebrates Its Thirtieth Anniversary with Brooke Shields, Hamish Bowles and Other Fashion Folk".The Wall Street Journal.4 November 2004.
  16. ^Friedman, Alan Richman,Drew (8 February 2006)."Miss Hurley Would Like a Pair of Chopsticks".Retrieved8 January2017.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ^abSky-High Prices? Bad Reviews? No Matter: Mr. Chow Powers On,The New York Times,August 31, 2016, accessed August 31, 2016.
  18. ^Warmed-Over Chow,New YorkMagazine, accessed August 31, 2016.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mr_Chow&oldid=1217044314"