I have fond childhood memories of Saturdays spent shopping with my mother. Some of the iconic upscale department stores then seemed like a destination in themselves providing an elevated shopping experience paired with the opportunity to lunch in a lovely restaurant. The dining rooms were slightly formal with a menu of classics, including signature dishes unique to each store. The atmosphere buzzed with chatter amongst the tables while models wearing the latest fashion strolled about, pausing for those interested in closer look.
Those days are long gone, but an article in How to Spend It asks “Could fine dining be the saviour of the department store?”. I like to imagine there is an appeal for this. Personally, I could be lured back to in-store shopping knowing I’d further the experience with dining in a restaurant whose decor by A-list designers is coupled with an upscale menu.
BG Restaurant at Bergdorf Goodman has stayed consistent in this realm and is a favorite stop whenever I’m shopping in New York. Sadly, now shuttered Freds at Barneys was another. The Kit Kemp designed Palette at Bergdorf Goodman and the Philippe Starck designed L’Avenue at Saks will be stops on my next visit to New York. But, closer to home, L.A. needs to step up.
above: L’Avenue at Saks | Photo: Justin Bridges
L’Avenue at Saks (Justin Bridges)
Chalet at Saks (Justin Bridges)
Palette at Bergdorf Goodman
Palette at Bergdorf Goodman
KSL
I loved going to Bullock’s Wilshire with my mother and grandmother, to shop and then have a wonderful lunch and fashion show in their dining room. Fantastic memories and yes, LA needs to step it up.
Karima
Wonderful memories from another time. I’m glad I was able to enjoy the experience.
KO
Oh gosh…LOVED Bullock’s Wilshire…the informal modeling, the flamboyant maitre d’ and all the doyennes, dressed to the nines, enjoying the French Onion soup, the coconut cream pie followed by a marshmallow mint that came with the check. Now, those were the good days!
Karima
If only to replicate a small element of those days! They were special indeed.
Wendy
Loved Bullocks and I.Magnim and lunch with my Mom and friends in Pasadena or downtown LA.Super fond memories that I thank you for reminding me of,as well as one beautiful long black velvet coat I inherited from one of those trips. It’s still chic and elegant;a true classic. Would love to take my daughter to do the same soon.
Wendy
Whoops it’s a long black beautiful COAT!!! Not cat…oh Autocorrect…mostly not correct!!
Karima
LOL… I corrected it. :)
Sandra Rustam
Bullocks Tea Room with mom. Some of my favorite memories. The popover!!!
Karima
We had fun. And boy did we laugh!
Susan
Oh the memories – shopping and lunching with my mom at Lord and Taylor’s or Saks in Millburn, New Jersey. My favorite day – picking out a layette for my soon-to- be first born at Saks. I recall the saleswoman’s comment after my mother told her that I was expecting her first grandchild – “You haven’t lived.”
And now I am the grandmother.
Susie
I also have wonderful memories of shopping and lunching at Lord and Taylor’s in Millburn with my mother! As I remember in the Bird Cage Restaurant men got 2 desserts, and on the rare occasion my father went with us, he would give me his extra dessert!
Karima
Such a great memory!
Karima
So special. I think with my mom’s passing last year, these memories have taken on even greater power. Enjoy being a grandmother!
Sylvie
And while I don’t recall being able to have lunch at I. Magnin, I do recall how elegant and chic it felt to me as a child. And how crushed I was when it too shuttered its doors. I still have the iconic black shopping bag to remind me of how lucky those of us were to be able to shop, even with just our eyes, in those great stores of elegance and style.
Karima
They were amazing times I didn’t truly appreciate until later in life. I’ll sound old and dated, but the elegance of shopping is long gone.
Cindy
Wonderful memories of Neiman Marcus in downtown Dallas. We would eat at the Zodiac Room and shop afterward. It was a perfect day. The restaurant is still there and I go back when I can.
Karima
NM and their popovers and chicken broth!
Sheri Drobnick
Have you gone to the Gucci restaurant in BH!!
I’ll join you!!!
Karima
I have! And love it. Let’s plan it!
Karima
For all of you enjoying this trip down memory lane, I just discovered a blog post, “GROWING UP IN LOS ANGELES DURING THE 1970’S & 1980’S” written by Alison Martino. It is a fabulous account of the places I frequented and knew well with great photos too. Wow.
KSL
Also, for those who loved the lunches at Bullocks Wilshire, many of their recipes are on Google. I made the coconut cream pie and it was fantastic!
Karima
Oh…I remember that pie!
Lisa Mac
Meanwhile, on the other coast…. your post brought back memories of shopping with my mother every Saturday at Filene’s and Jordan Marsh, in either Braintree or Boston, MA. I invariably went back to school on Monday wearing something new. Shopping and lunch with my mom helped me get through those difficult years when it seemed like nothing fit, and I had no idea what “my style” was. Thank you for the trip down memory lane.
Karima
I’m so glad to see the affinity this post has generated and that so many share similar fond memories.
Jennifer K
I so enjoyed the nostalgia in this article. I agree with everything you write so elegantly about these establishments; the allure, scenery, palpable excitement over the people watching, the menu..it was magical. I have 2 good friends that own a store in Chicago emulating the same charm. It’s called Space 519, their restaurant within the store is The Lunchbox. It’s a modern take that embodies similar feelings as long ago.
If you’re ever in Chicago, check it out.
Karima
Thank you for sharing the The Lunchbox in Chicago. I may be there later this year and will put this on the top of my list! Any other Chicago recommendations greatly appreciated.