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Luau 400, New York City, NY (restaurant) |
uncle trav
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 27, 2005
Posts: 1542
From: Kalamazoo
|  Posted: 2009-05-21 2:19 pm Permalink
Name:Luau 400
Type:restaurant
Street:400 E. 57th St.
City:New York City
State:NY
Zip:
country:USA
Phone:
Status:defunct
Description:
Thought that the Luau 400 deserved it own spot on Locating Tiki. I hope some TC members can throw in some information about this place as it is very hard to come by. I believe it was opened in about 1957 by Harry Bloomfield. The curious name comes from the restaurants address (400 E. 57th St.) The Luau 400 had a Hawaiian themed floor show as late as 1972 as far as I can tell. One of the notable performers was Hal Aloma who also recorded an album at the 400. Here is a small mention in a New York magazine article from 1958.
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The Luau 400 at 400 E. 57th St., is another example of what we think the South Seas should be like. To enhance the atmosphere, owner Harry Bloomfield has employed all his theatrical skill to present tropical trees, waterfalls, and exotic birds as a background for the sloe-eyed waitresses, ukulele players, etc. A favorite with show people, especially for private parties, and one of the last ports of call for upper East Side theatregoers on the way home.
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With both an iconic menu and mug design this location has always made me curious as to what else may be found. here is an ad I found on the net and a mug from the collection of Scaraba Tiki.
[ This Message was edited by: uncle trav 2009-05-21 14:25 ]
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Tipsy McStagger
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 21, 2004
Posts: 3394
From: HELL
| Posted: 2009-05-21 2:44 pm Permalink
i lost an auction for a feature matchbook from the luau 400 on ebay about a month ago....so at least we know those existed too...
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Dustycajun
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 16, 2007
Posts: 3946
From: Santa Barbara, CA
| Posted: 2009-05-21 4:27 pm Permalink
Here are some Luau 400 items from the Tiki Gallery
A nice brochure with interior photos
Matchbook
Menu
DC
[ This Message was edited by: Dustycajun 2009-05-21 16:28 ]
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donhonyc
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jan 13, 2003
Posts: 1173
From: The Quiet EAST Village
| Posted: 2009-05-22 07:49 am Permalink
never knew about this place, very cool!
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cheeky half
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 22, 2002
Posts: 790
From: Tucson, AZ
| Posted: 2009-07-14 4:12 pm Permalink
Here's the LP:
ch
_________________
www.velvetglass.com
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Formikahini
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 22, 2002
Posts: 1491
From: Houston, Texotica
| Posted: 2009-08-31 9:22 pm Permalink
I got the following note forwarded to me ages ago from an Asian-American woman I met at a party, but completely forgot to post it:
"I was talking to my mom today and remembered to ask her about that place in NYC I was telling your friend [me] about. As it turns out, I remembered the story all wrong. The place was called Luau 500 (or Luau 400). She thinks it was on E. 28th or so. My Uncle Tommy (Nishimura) was a bit of a local celebrity who sang on occasion when he was there. (Uncle Tommy was the one who had also had a bit of an acting career - an episode of Sanford & Sons, a couple of episodes of Hawaii 5-0, and the big movie he was in was called "Wake Me When It's Over" (1960).)
"Anyhow, I said that my mom won a beauty contest at the Luau 500. That's the part that was wrong. She did win a beauty pageant - Miss Niisei Sino - but it was not at the Luau 500. It was a local Asian/Hawaiian organization's beauty pageant."
I wish her mom or uncle had saved me a mug or 12....
F
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cheeky half
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 22, 2002
Posts: 790
From: Tucson, AZ
| Posted: 2009-08-31 9:54 pm Permalink
Love the stylish simplicity of the logo. Always struck us as particularly unique. Love it so much we recently made a handful of these pendants.
_________________
www.velvetglass.com
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Dustycajun
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 16, 2007
Posts: 3946
From: Santa Barbara, CA
| Posted: 2009-09-29 8:21 pm Permalink
Here is a fun little souvenir photo from the Luau 400.
DC
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bigbrotiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 25, 2002
Posts: 10599
From: Tiki Island, above the Silverlake
| Posted: 2009-09-29 8:39 pm Permalink
It's Barbie in Tikiland! 
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Dustycajun
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 16, 2007
Posts: 3946
From: Santa Barbara, CA
| Posted: 2009-09-29 8:44 pm Permalink
Barbie with the one-piece Zebra suit no less!
DC
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sneakyjack
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 25, 2004
Posts: 996
From: NYC Area
| Posted: 2009-10-14 10:44 am Permalink
from oogamooga - tiki clean
all white vers
_________________
idolmakerfilms.com
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Dustycajun
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 16, 2007
Posts: 3946
From: Santa Barbara, CA
| Posted: 2010-11-16 7:25 pm Permalink
I came across this Luau 400 menu on ebay from the opening night in 1957.
A classic example of the pre-Tiki period where they had not yet incorporated the Tiki mask figure that later became their signature.
DC
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1961surf
Grand Member (3 years) 
Joined: May 03, 2007
Posts: 1896
From: Newport Beach, Ca .
| Posted: 2010-11-16 7:56 pm Permalink
Not an easy mug to find.Found this one several years ago .
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Dustycajun
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 16, 2007
Posts: 3946
From: Santa Barbara, CA
| Posted: 2011-05-22 10:09 pm Permalink
Saw this very early menu from the Luau 400 featuring a pair of Leeteg paintings on the cover on ebay a while back.
And a nice story of the restaurant on the back
Some interior photos and drinks on the menu inside.
Also spotted this cool matchbook with the unusual center opening style.
DC
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Dustycajun
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 16, 2007
Posts: 3946
From: Santa Barbara, CA
| Posted: 2013-01-07 11:51 am Permalink
Another souvenir photo showing a handsome couple at the Luau 400 I found online. You can see the corner of the menu on the table.
DC
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