Vintage Chicago's Ambassador Hotel Salad Plates - Set of 10

Opening their doors in 1924 and 1926, the twin Ambassador Hotels were located across the street from each other in the quiet, tree-lined Gold Coast neighborhood just north of downtown Chicago. Along with the Drake Hotel and the Palmer House in The Loop, the Ambassador East and its sister hotel, the Ambassador West, attracted well-heeled travelers, many of whom were journeying across the country by train with a stop-over in Chicago.

In a case of the bridesmaid upstaging the bride, the restaurant located in the Ambassador East became arguably even more famous than the hotel itself. That restaurant was the Pump Room. One of the first quality restaurants to open in Chicago after Prohibition, the Pump Room quickly became a Windy City icon. 

It was there that John Barrymore roared for more champagne; Bette Davis could be found curled up on the piano bench; Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall celebrated their wedding in the Pump Room's famous "Booth One", as did Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood. Liza Minnelli virtually grew up in Booth One and has fond memories of dining there with her mother Judy Garland who immortalized the restaurant in the lyrics to “Chicago”, with the words “we’ll eat at The Pump Room/Ambassador East, to say the least”. And of course, Frank Sinatra held court in Booth One countless times.

Produced by the great American restaurant china company Syracuse, the plates are dressed with a royal blue band decorated with a leafy design and the four "logos" of the Ambassador Hotel's famed venues: The Pump Room, The Parade, The Buttery and Sarah Siddons Walk. Dating from 1972, these richly storied plates are a wonderful, collectible memento for the lover of Chicago or hotel history. 

Strictly one-of-a-kind and subject to prior sale. In very good vintage condition. Measures 8.25" in diameter.