Elegance has left the building.

Boston lost a Diamond in History.
I will never forget my first visit to LOCKE-OBERS
On the first floor to the right was the Famous Mens Club.

It was like stepping into 1900 elegance,
gone from the 1970's. At least I was
Lucky enough to have been to  the
Twenty One club and Delmonico's and
Fabulous Locke-Obers. I feel sorry
for the people who will never have the
chance, as Locke-Obers closed Dec 7, 2012
How ironic Pearl Harbor Day. I just
want to know what happened to the painting"Yvonne",
was she sold at the Auction???

Painting known as Yvonne (said to be the name of the model),

this entrance way painting became the restaurant's mascot.
Traditionally, when Harvard loses to Yale, Yvonne's upper
torso was covered.
The only other time the mural has been draped was when the
New York Yacht Club lost the America's Cup.
As was the case with many exclusive restaurants,
women were generally excluded from dining at Locke-Ober's
until as late as 1970. That's when I went with a friend from "King
International Studios in Calif."
 He explained all the wonderful History of this amazing
 and famous Restaurant
In the old days women patrons were only allowed
on the second floor's private dining areas,
or on the first floor if Harvard won a home game against Yale.

The sign alone sends you back in time.
Inside it was furnished with increasingly luxurious imported

materials typical of the Gilded Age with Honduran mahogany,
French furniture, Italian and French sculpture and paintings,
English silver and Bohemian crystal lighting.

By 1875, Ober had acquired ownership and applied to
the city for expansion of the restaurant to 3-4 Winter Place.
Financing was provided by Eben Jordan,
a co-founder of the Jordan Marsh  Company. Remember
Jordan Marsh Dept. Stores????

 

 

Frank Locke and Louis Ober were competitors.  Locke opened a  wine room next to Ober's fashionable restaurant in 1892. Diners began a tradition of drinking at Locke's before dining at Ober's.

JFK's favorite lobster stew and Indian pudding—
served in what is one of the most beautiful dining
rooms in America. The bar—with its painting
of Madame Yvonne—is gorgeous as well.
Established in 1875, this place let you feel what it
would be like to dine out in the late 19th century.
3 Winter Place
Next they will tear down the North Church,
Why ??? They fall victim to Changing times
GREED and REAL ESTATE
The Buck $$$ has replaced Grace and Elegance.
There will be nothing left of our past.
Sorry to say it's a throw away world.

Posted by Yvonne @ La Petite Gallery

 Comments are welcome