Swing (Jan-Dec 1945)

66 u/mt January, 1945 PORTS OF CALL IN KANSAS CITY /III ^Au... catd MARTIN'S PLAZA TAVERN— 210 West 47th — A preferred spot on the Country Club Plaia and probably the most labyrinthine tavern in the town! A bar, a lounge, a dance floor, and two cafeterias wuider around at odd and interesting angles, and in all of them Clair Martin offers the wherewithal for an entertaining evening. In the daytime, it's an astonishingly large cafeteria. At night, they cover the steam tray* pull some curtains — and wham! — it's a night club (with good food!). Jade, Pappy, and Dewey mix the drinks as they've done for years. The Four Tons of Rhythm, a colored group who originated in Kansas City, make music for dancing, and at 10:45 and 12:45 there's a floor show. The entertainment begins at nine, stays open till 1:30. A good place for private parties. Specialty from the kitchen is "chicken in the rough." Those amazing pictures painted on the walls come from the brush of Larry Richman, who, before his khaki-clad days, amused himself by painting the town, in spots. By the way, there's a cover charge of 75 cents. MILTON'S TAP ROOM— 351/ Troojt. Otherwise known simply as "Julia Lee's" — for Julia is an institution around here. She's spent 1 1 years at that piano, crooning lyrics — tender, bawdy and otherwise — into the mike. You'll catch her from 8:15 on — and do! Robert Moody plays traps for her, and almost anyone from the Big Time is likely to drop in for a visit with Julia and maybe a stint at the piano. Last time we were around it was Meade Lux Lewis. The brothers Morris still carry on. Milton's overseas with the Army; so are Izzy and Joe. Max is managing in their absence. He tells us that Brooks Burnett, who did the caricatures of movie stars around the walls, belonged to the 6-foot club, by virtue of his six-feet-five. There's a dance floor, if you need it, and a friendly feeling about the whole place. It's authentic. PENGUIN ROOM— Hotel Cotitinentdl — JIth and Baltimore. This is a large mirrored dining room, with a junior size dance floor. In January Chiquita and her all-girl orchestra move in from Miami. They play for supper dancing, 6:30 till 12:30. No music for luncheon, but you'll find the customary excellent food and service. The hotel's manager, R. E. McEachin, says they've found people would rather just talk than listen to a band during the noonday meal. SKY-HY ROOF — Hotel Continental— 11th and Baltimore. Here's one glass house where you can throw parties. Except on Saturday, the roof is available for private digs, on Saturday nights there's public dancing. SOUTHERN MANSION— J 4: Baltimore. If your head is ben: ing low, there's probably tht Mansion's roast beef on the plate Or maybe the salad that Walter Whittaker tosses, right on th spot. This ceremony is anotb • one of the things that maL Walter one of the town's muskillful maitre d's. You can dan. with your dolly and your dir. ner down here. Dee Peterson anj his orchestra play for dinner and supper. The place is comfort ably elegant, with solid white pillars and the exterior of a real Southern Mansion for atmosphere, and a white picket fence running around the room, against dark green walls. No pickaninnies and no fields of cotton. No bar. either. For reservations, call GRand 5131. • TERRACE GRILL — Hotel Miiehlebach — 12th ond Baltimore. Schiaparelli chose the pink for the walls. Gordon, in white tie, used to mix the salads. For the duration, however, he's just around, in a business suit, being genial. Which is reason enough for his being around. Henri Blister's food (he originated the Thousand Island Dressing, you know), smooth dance music, and the kind of service that makes you feel tothe-manncr-bom, combine to produce one of the town's favorite spots for luncheon, dinner, and supper — with music at noon, as well as night! Sunday night dinner and supper attract lots of the "home folks" — it's "family night." Ray Benson and his orchestra are playing into the middle of January. They move in from such spots as the Persian Room, the Stork Club, and Chi cago's Drake Hotel. For rcsena tions: Gordon, at GRand !40i PDRTHAIT OF A LADY IIV A LAW OFFICE" As factual, as flat and frigid As Webster's Unabridg-ed.