I think Mad Men has made me nostalgic for the 60's, though I really was a child of the 70's. I do remember going to Trader Vic's downtown in the Bel Air Hotel. I think my last visit to a Trader Vic's was in college in Chicago in the 80's. A remnant still around from the tropical fad of the 60's is the India Palace near the airport. Does anyone know what restaurant was there originally? Does anyone remember the Tropic Shop on Clayton Rd that sold rattan furniture?
I did not realize that the Bel Air Hotel downtown was so smashing...I just remember a tired building. All pics pulled from the blog, Vanishing St. Louis.
India Palace - near the airport
I like your blog…I’m a fan of mid-century architecture, as well. I’m an even bigger fan of tiki and I even have my basement decorated as a tiki lounge.
I saw you ask the question in one of your posts about the original occupant of India Palace and the source of all the tiki. I investigated this for about 5 years and then I finally found the answer:
http://www.tikiroom.com/tikicentral/bb/viewtopic.php?topic=588&forum=1&vpost=214598&hilite=polynesian%20world%20st.%20louis
Joe
Posted by: Joe | February 27, 2010 at 03:29 PM