Swing (Jan-Dec 1945)

IN KANSAS CITY •k FAMOUS BAR AND RESTAURANT. Formerly Jim Lee's, now in the capable bands of Harry Turner, who keeps the place busy and clean, and sees that the menu is sufficiently varied. Luncheon from 11:30 to 2:30; dinner from 5 to 10. There are a couple of huge circular booths that are fun for big parties — and a bar for lone wolves. 1211 Baltimore. VL 8490. i( ITALIAN GARDENS. Open from 4 till curfew; closed on Sunday. You may have to stand in line for Signora Teresa's spaghetti — -but it's worth it. Looks something like a third-rate set for a movie beer-garden — has a deserved reputation for wonderful Italian food. And the Bondons will bless you for having the good taste to order wine with your meals. 1110 Baltimore. HA. 8861. ★ MORRIS DELICATESSEN. Morris and his daughters serve the best Jewish delicatessen in town. Go back and take a look at the case — then establish yourself in a booth with a drink, or some coffee — and the richest, tangiest sandwiches, sliced meats, and salads you ever dreamed up in these days or any other. 3121 Troost. WE. 3410. •k OFFICERS' CLUB. Just in case you're an officer, you should know about the Walnut Room, just down the steps as you enter the Phillips on 12th. All the comforts of home — plus an orchestra on Saturday nights — and Dorothea Buschman! She's your hostess — and nice. Set-ups on Sunday, if you wish. Lunch, dinner, supper, and big leather lounge chairs! if PLAZA BOWL. Which means just what it says — bowling, plus the wherewithal for an appetizing luncheon or dinner or some stimulatin' drinkin'. The Eddy's — George, Sam, and Ned — maintain a well-rounded place to help you maintain the well-rounded figger. 480 Alameda Road. LO. 6656. ★ PLAZA ROY ALE. Zena and Mary Dale move out south, from the downtown Royale. They play the piano, organ, solavox, and what-not, you know. And there's Kay Van Lee, the graphologist, in case you run out of conversation. Here's a very comfortable lounge, with some satisfactory drinkin' and dinin' qualities. 614 West 48th. Lo. 3393. ★ PRICE'S RESTAURANT AND BAR. Upstairs and downstairs and all around the counter there's good food for three times a day. Downstairs is most fun around five. It catches a lot of tired business men and white collar gals who pay the Price for a quick refresher. 10th and Walnut. GR. 0800. ★ PUSATERI'S NEW YORKER. Usually has more standing than sitting — because there's more room, perpendicularly. Always crowded, and with good reason — partly those Pusateri steaks and salad with garlic sauce. Piano music by night, in case you can hear above the hubbub. 1104 Baltimore. GR. 1019. ★ RENDEZVOUS. One of the better places to be caught in a convivial mood — thanks to the Muehlebach cellars and the generally pleasant atmosphere. A rather noisily well-bred room with no entertainment except what you can stir up in your own table talk. That's usually enough. Hotel Muehlebach, 12th and Baltimore. GR. 1400. ★ SAVOY GRILL. An institution — since the days of Sarah Bernhardt, Theodore Roosevelt, et al. They all knew the old Savoy — the same as gourmets know it now. There's mellowness about the place — from the dim browned murals, the high leather booths, to the favorite old retainers. George, John, and Brown have been here for years. The food is traditional in style, up-to-the-minute in method. Steaks usually available here, and lobsters as large as you like them. 9th and Central, VI. 3890. ★ TOWN ROYALE. Zola and her organ melodies return from out south, and Betty Burgess, the graphologist, stays to read your writin'. But shucks, the place is almost its own excuse for being! Chummy and just noisy enough, and conveniently close to the sidewalk. 1119 Baltimore. VI. 7161. ★ WESTPORT ROOM. If you have too much fun in the station bar, you never the train shall meet. Might try mixing those drinks with some of Fred Harvey's famous food in the next room. Union Station. GR. 1100. JUST FOR A DRINK ★ ALCOVE COCKTAIL LOUNGE. Bring your your bundles and catch a quick one inexpensively. From 3 to 5, two drinks for the price of one, hear! hear! After that, regular prices, but they're gentle. Hotel Continental, 11th and Baltimore. HA. 6040. ★ EL CABANA. Just off the side-walk, and always crowded. An institution here is Alberta Bird who plays the novachord, alternating with Lenora Nichols. The walls have some nice dancers painted on — if you can see them. Hotel Phillips, 12th and Baltimore. GR. 5020. ★ OMAR ROOM. If you're looking for a book of verses underneath a bough, better bring your own. Omar will furnish the vintage of the grape or a reasonable facsimile, and there'll be singing, or its equivalent, in the wilderness. A dim and •cushiony room that somehow always makes us think a bombing squad is about to come over. Maybe that's that last one we drank. Hotel Continental, llth and Baltimore. HA. 6040. ★ PINK ELEPHANT. The attraction here is the old two-reelers that are run off from time to time — vintage of 1900 and up. You may catch an old Charlie Chaplin comedy, or some of the Keystone Cops. It's a microscopic lounge; better get there early, or keep trying. State Hotel, on I2th between Baltimore and Wyandote. GR. 5310. ★ THE TROPICS. Oasis on the third floor. A melee of palm fronds, grass skirts, and bamboo — not very authentic but definitely pleasant. Music under the cocoanut shell comes from Margaret Melby at the piano, and from Vera Claire and marimba. Hotel Phillips, 12th and Baltimore. GR. 5020. ★ ZEPHYR ROOM. A soft green lounge, with Sandoval (formerly of Giro's), Armandita, and that sort of intimate neighborliness that makes you feel like one of the family. It's about half way home — and you're a better man than we are if you can pass it by. Hotel Bellerive, Armour Blvd. at Warwick. VA. 7047.