Los Angeles City Hall was completed in 1928 and this hybrid of a building – described by its architects as ‘Modern American’ in style – has pride of place in the skyline of this menu cover for Botwin’s restaurant.

With the rest of the city in darkness, this 1930s menu illustration shows the restaurant lighting up this particular stretch of Sunset Boulevard to show that it's open 24 hours a day.

Ladies in elegant hats and men in natty suits appear as stick figures, almost as if they are players in a board game.

The CAFÉ and BOTWIN’S FINE FOOD signs are illuminated as automobiles drive by. Note the intriguing modern vehicle that the artist has placed in the lower right-hand corner. There’s also a little sign that points out the location of Glendale Avenue.

The predominant colors of this 1930s menu are green, orange and blue and it’s a marvelous example of the old Los Angeles restaurant scene.

Steaks, seafood and cocktails were on the all-day all-night food list and there was a Sierra Room, which we assume was for large, catered parties. The restaurant had two telephone numbers EXPOSITION-0309 and DUnkirk 9-0309.

We’re not sure when Botwin’s closed but the iconic TAIX French restaurant, which opened in downtown LA in 1927 and moved to Echo Park in 1962, stands on at least part of the site.

If anyone has more information about Botwin’s history, we’d love to hear from you.
Courtesy Private Collection.