Empty lots often attract the interest of passersby, as does the one on Hudson street in Boston’s Chinatown. Except for a 2019 project carried out by the Chinese Historical Society of New England and sponsored by the Boston City Archeological Program, its history may have been lost. It had been the site of the famed Ruby Foo’s Den, bordered by the 16 Hudson Street home of the Ginza restaurant.
On that exterior wall, still rests a sign advertising the China Pavilion (pictured above). It calls attention to the restaurant that survived there for more than 20 years. That it survived for so long in the absence of minimal publicity speaks volumes about its popularity among its patrons as well as the quality and scope of its menu.
A hidden gem, it enjoyed scant coverage in the Boston press. Open until the early morning hours, it served cocktails, an extensive menu of Chinese dishes, and Dim Sum. It had been incorporated on October 28, 1968, designating Henry Tom of Newton President. Located at 14 Hudson Street, its grand opening was held on April 24, 1969, as announced in an ad in the Boston Globe four days earlier on April 20, 1964. The opening specials included chicken dishes, to observe the community’s Year of the chicken. An opening special offered a free duplicate of each order for take out (an offer alluded to in the opening ad). Other offers included 20% discounts on chicken dishes on Saturdays and Sundays from 3:00 to 12:00 pm. These continued for six months.
On May 22, 1969, The Boston Globe included another notice about the Pavilion, noting its acquisition of a liquor license from the Snifter Corporation. It also reported that the restaurant included two rooms and a kitchen. It was apparent that the service of alcoholic beverages would only enhance its popularity.
The Mass Media, March 27, 1972, published an article, A Gourmet’s Guide to Chopsticking. Describing the writer’s favorite Chinese restaurants, it included the Chinese Pavilion. It noted, “There is no end of the good things that we can say about this restaurant, for it is one of our favorites.” The article continued, “The atmosphere is conducive to anything from planning political intrigues to general hacking off. The food is well prepared and moderately priced.” It went on to rave about their luncheon specials, such as the No. 5 ($1.25) that included chicken fingers, butterfly shrimp, pork fried rice, tea and fortune cookies!
Another brief mention in the Boston Globe on February 4, 1982, reported that the Pavilion had some excellent Dim Sum dishes, like their “large fried pork dumpling.” Finally, on September 22, 1983, the Boston Globe noted that the restaurant was open until 4:00 am, “amusingly decorated with lanterns and mirror, and the tables covered with the brightest red cloths.” They served an extensive menu of Cantonese and Mandarin Szechuan dishes as well as “potent cocktails” for less than $3.50! Finallly, the restaurant sometimes served “a gelatinous coconut confection after midnight to satisfy the sweet tooth.”
More than 30 years after it closed in 1990, the Pavilion sign remains. To have survived for so long, it must have done well. Maybe it was the free takeout orders! Open until 4:00 am, it was likely a popular destination, making its rare appearances in the Boston press the more surprising.
Do you have any memories of the China Pavilion? It might be your memories that tell the full story of this charming restaurant.
SAMPAN, published by the nonprofit Asian American Civic Association, is the only bilingual Chinese-English newspaper in New England, acting as a bridge between Asian American community organizations and individuals in the Greater Boston area. It is published biweekly and distributed free-of-charge throughout metro Boston; it is also delivered to as far away as Hawaii.
