Test your knowledge of West Hartford history with this ‘Thursday Throwback,’ courtesy of the Noah Webster House and West Hartford Historical Society.
By Ronni Newton
It’s Throwback Thursday (#tbt), and time to take a look back into West Hartford’s past to either stir up some memories, reflect on how much things have changed, or both. And if you have no idea, we love the photo captions, too!
Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society
There must be something about the South Seas Restaurant because that image (at right and in larger size below) inspired a record number of comments and some incredibly detailed memories.
There are too many comments to repeat, but here are some highlights. And for the record, South Seas was located at 964 Farmington Ave., the current site of Max’s Oyster Bar (even confirmed by Rich Rosenthal, owner of Max’s, in a comment), and the photo was taken in 1966.
From Ron Soloway: “I remember it well – South Seas was located just up the street from the Central theatre and I’m guessing the picture was about 1966. Max’s Oyster Bar is in its location now. My wife and I dated in 1968 and went there many times for dinner. We both moved on but 23 years later she called me in San Diego and we re-united, were married in 1993 and moved back to Connecticut. Currently I work (and have for the past 16 years) at Max’s Oyster Bar. Always a bit poignant when I go to work.”
From Mary Fay: “I remember the South Seas restaurant well … one of our favorites in West Hartford Center. When I was a child, my parents would take each one of us out with the family and a friend to our favorite restaurant for our birthday. When I was in second grade, turning 8, we all went to South Seas. My friend Arlene had never been to a Chinese restaurant before and was fascinated with the Asian decor and wait staff. She asked our waiter if the water was from China lol. I think Max Oyster bar is there now or maybe it was on the corner of Farmington … great memories there.”
From Lucien Grillo: “The South Seas Restaurant resided in the building that currently houses Ichiro Hibachi and Max’s Oyster Bar. I went on my first date to the South Seas when I was 14. I think anyone who grew up in WeHa in the 60’s and 70’s remembers the South Seas.”
From Liz Gillette: “Oh my goodness! When we would get to pick for birthday dinners it was always South Seas! I have tried to explain to my kids how astoundingly exotic a pu pu platter, complete with FIRE in the middle, was when I was a kid. The restaurant was dark, decorated with masks and fake palms, Don Ho music piped in, even a ‘river’ with a bridge as I recall. You could get drinks in ceramic pineapples with umbrellas and swords. You could order egg foo yong or even sweet-and-sour pork. Who had ever imagined bright red sweet meat!? Other than Song Hays (sp?) in Hartford, there was just no place on earth I thought was so beautiful and mysterious when I was 7 or 8. And they had a huge, vertical, neon palm tree on their sign! And “cocktails” to boot. Just the best …”
Paul Woodiel agreed: “My memories are exactly like Liz’s! It was a mysterious and exotic tiki type place – my parents would get me a nice Shirley Temple while they ordered from that amazing cocktail menu that many restaurants of that type and period shared: Planter’s Punch, Mai Tai, Singapore Sling, and the perplexingly named Suffering Bastard. Strictly phony decor with active water and palms, etc. sticky sweet red ribs and chow mein and pupu platters, holy cow! Why couldn’t a place like that succeed today? What a hoot!”
Many of the Facebook comments were from those who fondly remembered the pu-pu platter and the little paper umbrellas that came in the drinks.
Others remembered drinking there, including one woman who said she had her “second-worst hangover ever” after a night at South Seas. “Used to be the ‘bar’ to go to in the Center of course really weren’t any others unlike now,” commented Chris McCormick. Apparently the scorpion bowls were popular.
South Seas was also popular with the younger set. “13th birthday luncheon for all the girls! In the lower level … seemed so sophisticated,” wrote Debi Goldman Cooper. Sharon Bercowetz said she had her sweet 16 celebration there.
“My favorite when I was little! I loved the food but I thought that the indoor waterfall was the best thing ever!” commented Cathy Rees Dionne. “This was a special occasion when I was little! I can still smell and hear the waterfall,” added Sharon Brewer.
Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society
We’ll have to get some more old-time restaurant photos, but in the meantime, here’s an image (at right and in larger size below) of another type of West Hartford business.
Who knows what business this was?
Did you or any relatives work there?
Where was it located?
What is there now?
Please share your thoughts and memories below!
Thank you to the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society for providing us with the images. For more information about the organization, visit www.noahwebsterhouse.org.
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Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society
South Seas Restaurant was located at 964 Farmington Ave. Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society
CBT. Corner of No. Main Street and Farmington Ave…
Not sure what is started as, but my oldest memory was that it was a Connecticut Bank and Trust (CBT) back then. It’s now a Bank of America on the corner of North Main Street and Farmington Avenue. I worked there as a floating teller one summer (probably 1989 or 1990) but I’m sure this photo was taken many moons before I arrived here. I do remember going to to safe deposit boxes downstairs with my Grandmother once. We had taken the bus to get there. Probably 1977ish.
I also remember it as CBT. Look to the left in the picture – a house. So it must have been taken before the Oct 1st TBT picture of the Beekley Co/Sally and Bob’s next door. Someone commented that it was started right before WWII. My guess the bank picture is from the 30s.
The only thing changed here is the name of the bank that occupied what was the West Hartford Trust Co and is now Bank of America. However, the real throwback now is to step into the little grassy park immediately North of the building off of North Main Street. Originally the drive thru window entered from here on North Main. Step about 50 feet in and look to your left and you will see the original drive thru window/booth. It’s a step back in time. It remains as if the teller locked up in 1940 and never came back. Even the old microphone is still in place.