Comments for The French Concession

Comment on Mapping the French Concession by James

James — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 23:37:48 +0000

Forgot to add that O’Malley’s in at No. 42 Taojiang Road

Comment on Mapping the French Concession by James

James — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 23:35:53 +0000

A lovely place in the French Concession is O’Malley’s Irish Pub; more like a Dublin upmarket hangout than a traditional Irish pub, although they still retain the traditional ‘Irish’ pub look and feel as you go into the ‘back bar’ and also in the ‘upstairs bar’ - generally a comfortable European feel to this place with great Guinness and a good food menu! Live Irish music on Wednesday evenings. A great big outdoor courtyard is also a big attraction especially on weekends and if the weather is nice! Happy Hour is popular Monday to Friday; not many places in Shanghai where you can have a well poured Guinness for RMB 44!

Comment on Silas Aaron Hardoon by Penelope Elias

Penelope Elias — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 19:46:42 +0000

I stumbled on this site by accident. Fascinating. I look forward to finding out more. Growing up in HK, to which I moved in 1952, I went to school with a number of people whose families were originally from Shanghai and of Jewish origin. I also in later life made a number of other friends whilst in HK who shared this background. Unfortunately I hav lost touch with many since moving to the UK in 1985. One family I knew in my youth were Marcel St Marq, who was a French Jew and jockey for the To family, his wife Tuba a Russian Jew from Shanghai (her father was a tailor there and she and Marcel met when he was racing in Shanghai) and their son Bobby. Marcel was killed in a riding accident in a race at Happy Valley circa 1960. Later his widow and her son moved to Argentina where she remarried; her son moved to Australia where he is still based I believe. In 2007 on a visit to HK when dining with members of the To family they told me that the HK Jockey Club was mounting an exhibition about Marcel in time for the Beijing Olympic Games (the equestrian events were held in Macau and HK). Another family I got to know when at KGV School in HK in the late ’50s-early ’60s was called Huber; Kathy was a bit older than myself but her son John was in my year. Their father was Swiss and their mother a Russian Jew. The latter and her mother escaped Russia folowing the Russian revolution and made their way to Harbin. Not sure exactly when or where she met her future husband but I think it was in the ’30s, possibly in Shanghai. However during WW2 they were in HK, where Kathy was born. I was given to understand that because Mr Huber was Swiss he was able to help the Russian community, who were not interned so surviving on the ‘outside’ in desperate straits, through the Swiss Red Cross, and they never forgot this after the war. Kathy married a Tim Ellis circa 1962 who had been interned in the same Shanghai POw CAMP as the writer JG Ballard, and they moved first to Hawaii where they were living in 1963 and later to Peoria in Arizona, the USA when Tim retired. Another friend, who was a colleague of mine in HK in the ’70s in the course of voluntary work we were both engaged in, Felix Carrady (this might be Carridy) was another such who came to HK from Shanghai and was from a Jewish family.He had at least one sister whom I never met. He was married to a ballet teacher and they had two children. He ran/owned a company manufacturing and/or trading in plstic flowers based in Central District.I used to know his middle name but it has escaped me. I believe he himself at one time trained as a ballet dancer. Eventually, following I believe his divorce (and I have reason to think also that his business declined) he moved to Autralia. I came across a comment on the arts in Melbourne by a Felix Carrady which leads me to believe he is in this city but have not been able to track him down. Finally, through my future husband I got to know a Russian Jew by the name of Boris Green (I think it was originally Greenstein) who had previously been in Shanghai. Sadly he died at Easter 1971 (he is buried at the Jewish cemetery in Happy Valley, HK, near the racecourse stables, with a huge mausoleum that the Leungs had erected) but I have never forgotten him: he was a colourful and generous character, who worked for Co Gems the diamond company owned (and still owned) by the Leung family, and gave me a jade ring which the grandmother of the generation that ran it at that time had given him, and which I still have. If you can help me find about more about these old friends which perhaps will help me reconnect I will be most grateful. Plus I think that their stories will enhance your publication.

Comment on El Gato Verde, my new favourite mexican in Shanghai, why? by John Battick

John Battick — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 18:27:27 +0000

As a child,I lived in the French Concession, 1939-40, on Avenue Joffre (What is its name now?). I attended school at L’Academie de Ste. Jeanne D’Arc. I can’t find the location of the school on your map. Can anyone help me out with this? I am writing a book on my “Childhood in China.”
It’s great that you have created this website. I wish I could get back to Shanghai.
Jack Battick

Comment on El Gato Verde, my new favourite mexican in Shanghai, why? by Ann Brech

Ann Brech — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 11:22:51 +0000

Hello,
I’ve enjoyed visiting your blog and seeing what the French Concession looks like.
I was wondering if you might be able to help me. I have a wordpress blog too (sealikeglass.wordpress.com) which is a 1937 diary of a journey from Adelaide Australia to Japan and back. The entry I’m typing up at the moment for August 9th has the couple staying at 1360 Rue Lafayette, Jubilee Court, in the French Concessions. They stayed in an apartment. Would you happen to know if this building still exists? I’d love to know.
Thanks for any help you can give. I’m putting your site in as a link.
Kind regards,
Ann Brech

Comment on Laszlo Hudec, architect of early Shanghai by Hudec’s Normandie redone! | The French Concession

Hudec’s Normandie redone! | The French Concession — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:29:09 +0000

[...] A little history: The Normandie apartments were built for the internationl savings society in 1924. The international savings society was like a lottery that once entered you had to keep playing unless you’re willing to give up a significant amount of fines. It was designed by our favorite laszlo hudec who we already introduce here. [...]

Comment on Cathay Theatre by Oliver

Oliver — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 07:55:47 +0000

Oh thank you,

I didn’t know, what’s it called?

Comment on Yan Ye Hand Made Leather Shoes, great quality, small price! by Oliver

Oliver — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:06:08 +0000

Hey Jennifer,

thanks for the correction!

Comment on Yan Ye Hand Made Leather Shoes, great quality, small price! by Jennifer Jenkins

Jennifer Jenkins — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:13:01 +0000

Wanted to let you know I was in this store today (Yan Ye) and the address listed is incorrect. Instead of 839 it should be 893. Just thought you’d like to know. BTW we loved it and ordered boots there. Jennifer

Comment on Cathay Theatre by Mr Noodles

Mr Noodles — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:04:11 +0000

There’s a fabulous Cantonese cafe in the Cathay Theatre itself.