Forbidden Palace, Los Angeles 1955

Known for its vibrant neon signage, distinctive curved roofs and exotic ornamentation, the Forbidden Palace was a popular Chinese restaurant located at 449-451 Gin Ling Way in Los Angeles' New Chinatown and opened in the late 1930s. The original Chinatown area, which stood where Union Station does now, had been bulldozed and establishments like the Forbidden Palace sprang up in what was called New Chinatown. Black and white photographs available online show elegant ladies in hats and gentlemen in suits waiting their turn in line outside the Forbidden Palace. Inside, tables were crammed and business was brisk. Diners had an extensive menu to choose from and an equally generous cocktail list. In 1955, the date of this menu, dinner cost from 85c to $3 per person and the price of cocktails averaged 50 cents. We believe this restaurant stayed in business until the early 1960s. This menu is in yellow, known as ‘Emperor’s color’ and was historically reserved for Imperial use. Yellow is still considered a lucky and prestigious color in Chinese culture, symbolizing power, prosperity and good fortune. Gallery quality Giclée print on natural white, matte, 100% cotton rag, acid and lignin free archival paper using Epson Ultrachrome HD archival inks. Custom printed with border for matting and framing. Each order includes a print of the interior menu. All printed in USA.