Cafe Astoria
{{Short description|First Western-style bakery in Taiwan}}
{{Infobox restaurant
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| name = Cafe Astoria
{{nobold|{{lang|zh-tw|明星咖啡館}}}}
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| established = {{start date and age|October 1949}}
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| current-owner = Archibald Chien
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| food-type = Pastries
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| street-address = No. 7, Wuchang Street, Section 1, Taipei, Taiwan
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| coordinates = {{coord|25|2|38.84|N|121|30|45.73|E|type:landmark_region:TW|display=inline,title}}
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| website = {{URL|http://www.astoria.com.tw/}}
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The Cafe Astoria ({{zh|t=明星咖啡館|hp=Míngxīng kāfēi guǎn}}) is the first Western-style bakery in Taiwan. It is located in the Zhongzheng District of Taipei, Taiwan, on Wuchang Street across from the City God Temple.
History
In October 1949, 18-year-old Archibald Chien became business partners with six Russian immigrants who fled Shanghai to Taiwan.{{cite news |title=Restaurant: Cafe Astoria Confectionary |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2004/09/24/2003204190 |access-date=15 October 2023 |work=Taipei Times |date=24 September 2004}}{{cite news |author1=Han Cheung |title=Taiwan in Time: From Russian hangout to literati hotspot |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2023/10/15/2003807704 |access-date=15 October 2023 |work=Taipei Times |date=15 October 2023}} Together they opened Taipei's first Western style pastry shop on Wuchang Street in downtown Taipei. They offered pastries on the first floor and a cafe on the second floor. One month after the Astoria opened for business, Chiang Kai-shek resumed presidency of the Republic of China and relocated his government to Taiwan. After the Korean War broke out in 1950, the United States maintained a significant troop presence on Taiwan. During this time, the Astoria hosted many important guests from abroad, including Jane Fonda. The cafe was also frequently visited by Chiang Ching-Kuo – who had studied in Moscow for many years – and his Belarusian wife Chiang Fang-liang. In 1950, Astoria hosted a Russian New Year Celebration which was attended by Chiang Ching-Kuo and his family. Chiang Kai-shek's last birthday cake was also prepared by chefs from the Astoria. After World War II, the Cafe Astoria became a popular spot for many socialites and government officials. It was also a spot where many struggling writers and intellectuals met and composed their works. Famous writers, poets and artists known to have frequented the Astoria include Pai Hsien-yung,{{Cite web |url=http://www.astoria.com.tw/ |title=History of Cafe Astoria |access-date=2010-10-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511165610/http://www.astoria.com.tw/ |archive-date=2015-05-11 |url-status=dead }} Chou Meng-tieh, Yu Guangzhong, and choreographer Lin Hwai-min.[http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=70623&CtNode=428 Famous customers]
In 2011, the Taipei City Government designated the Cafe Astoria as a historic building.{{cite news |title=Taipei’s Cafe Astoria listed as heritage building |url=https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=10&post=17876 |access-date=15 October 2023 |work=Taiwan Today |date=18 April 2011}}
Transportation
The cafe is accessible within walking distance north east of Ximen Station of Taipei Metro.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Cafe Astoria, Taipei}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20150511165610/http://www.astoria.com.tw/ Cafe Astoria]
Category:1949 establishments in Taiwan
Category:Buildings and structures in Taipei