La Paloma means ‘dove’ in Spanish, and you can see a little white dove perched on this double-hatted chef. He’s wearing a traditional chef’s toque as well as a sombrero on this cheerful 1960s menu cover.

La Paloma is also the name of a popular folk song, much-loved by Mexicans and many other cultures around the world.  The song was written by the Spanish Basque composer Sebastien Iradier (1809 – 1965) around 1860 after a visit to Cuba.

Very quickly, La Paloma became a popular song outside of Spain, particularly with Mexican mariachi bands,and is one of the most-recorded songs in musical history.

It’s about a lover sailing away from his sweetheart, and the lyrics reflect that if he should die at sea, he will return to her as a white dove. The message is that a dove represents enduring love even in the face of separation or death.

If you haven’t heard this song, there are many versions on YouTube.

La Paloma is also a popular Mexican cocktail, the ‘cooler sister’ of the margarita. It is made with tequila, grapefruit juice, sparkling water or soda, agave syrup and freshly squeezed lime.

There are hundreds of Mexican restaurants across the US called La Paloma. We know from the interior menu that this restaurant was probably based in Los Angeles or Southern California. If anyone remembers the double-hatted chef, please let us know!