Post #230279 by TikiJosh on Wed, May 3, 2006 12:20 PM

So, although I'm late, I wanted to resurrect this topic for "Savage Renewal". The primary reason for this is because I recently found a God of Longevity mug from the sample restaurant.
The Sumo Flip mug in the picture is from another place in San Francisco called the Miyako hotel.
I found both mugs at a thrift store locally, and was wondering if anyone had info on either place. I think Sabu should have at least a dozen photos or postcards from each place (ha!). Anyway, here's the pics:

And here's the bottom of each:

My internet searches have turned up the following on the Kuo Wah:
A menu that just sold on Ebay for $15 from the Kuo Wah:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Kuo-Wah-Cafe-Chinese-Food-Menu-c1950-San-Francisco_W0QQitemZ6622951948QQcategoryZ1437QQcmdZViewItem

I also found a discussion board that says a restaurant called the Grand Palace in Chinatown was formerly the Kuo Wah. Can any TCers in SF verify that info?

The San Francisco Library Photo collection had the following photo in their digitized collection:

Holy Crap! That place looks so cool!

Here's another picture from the collection of Charles W. Cushman:

You can see all the info on the photo here:
http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/cushman/results/detail.do;jsessionid=002F63581A220E654A1942CC3168FA02?query=roll%3A28-52&page=2&pagesize=20&display=thumbcap&action=roll&pnum=P06520

The library at Arizona State (maybe-- domain is arizona.edu) has a photo in their collection but you have to make an appointment to see it:
GOLT, RICK S. (Note by TikiJosh-- I think this is the photographer name)
gelatin silver prints, from the Ansel and Virginia Adams Collection T71/S9A
76:423::002 [three young girls in Kuo Wah Cafe, San Francisco], n.d. 33.4 x 48.3 cm
If anyone in Arizona is willing to do a little digging, here's a link to the library proper where you can make viewing appointments:
http://dizzy.library.arizona.edu/branches/ccp/home/home.html

Additionally, it appears the Kuo Wah gave away scholarships. This judge received one in 1961:
http://pview.findlaw.com/view/1980283_1?channel=LP

Here's a link to a recipe book supposedly containing a recipe from the Kuo Wah-- only $6.25 for a vintage recipe book!:
http://www.digmodern.com/product/BCB776666

That's all I found for the Kuo Wah.

But don't forget the Sumo Flip from the Miyako Hotel!
Here's what I've been able to find:
The Miyako was apparently owned by Radisson for a while based on all the web pages, but Radisson claims they're not managing the property anymore.
The address is 1625 Post St, San Francisco, 94115 - (415) 922-3200
I believe this might be the source of the Sumo Flip mug. The following article explains that the hotel was recently sold:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/03/15/BAG9HHOBUF1.DTL
That might explain why Radisson is no longer managing.

but there's also a Best Western Miyako Hotel:
1800 Sutter St., San Francisco, CA 94109
and they claim to have a restaurant and bar on site. Based on the info available on the best western website though, the restaurant looks more like a small cafe. It could still have been the source of the mug, but I think the Radisson hotel is more likely.

Based on the info I've collected I think the old Radisson is the best bet, but I just have to ask--
Do any TCers in San Francisco know anything about either location? Anyone have any old photos?