18 Comments:

• Chez Carey,
  Ahh, how sweet it was! Chez Carey, The finest of the fine in resteraunts.
  It was the place to take your date for Prom or Homecomming. Your date knew she was in a special place when the waiter with a french accent asked, "Would the Lady like a pillow for the feet?" I remember noding in the affirmative to my date Leslie and quitly saying, "Oh yeah, gotta have that."
  After dinner there was that cigar rack on wheels my buddy Mike Ableman had been scoping. Tableside, We each bought two of the largest cigars on the display. One to smoke immediatly and one for the memories.
  I remember watching intently as the gentelman whipped out a device with blades flipping around while dipping the cigar in, "something". I tried to smoke that monster but it was hopeless. But how Leslie enjoyed my breath.

  By  chaney, at July 14, 2007 12:24 AM  

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• Cary Sinclair is my uncle and he opened a restaurant (steak and lobster) in acapulco called the Embarcadero. He later called my dad inviting him to join in a partnership together with his other partner called carlos mendoza. My dad originally built mamas wich was built next to blackbeards and was the called mimis. My dad also built D'joints wich was a very famous prime rib house. All this was in Acapulco.

  By  Anonymous, at July 25, 2007 5:09 PM  

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• This is Jennifer Warnes!
  Where is Cary?
  Please tell him to write me via my website and say hello!
  Yes, he gave me a great job and treated me very well.
  Rudy Gernrich had a couture show at Chez Cary once. I never forgot that. The women were all dress up like birds.
  I learned about elegance from Cary.
  Give him my warmest and kindest regards!

  By  Anonymous, at August 01, 2007 11:00 PM  

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• It was pronounced Cary, rhymes with Gary....like Cary Grant.

  By  Anonymous, at August 14, 2007 4:27 PM  

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• Little Red Inn by Tustin High School: The owner, Al, did all the cooking. Best onion rings and french dips! How about Smitty's Pancake House in Santa Ana and The Zoo, on the way to Corona Del Mar?

  By  reelcurlz, at August 15, 2007 1:57 PM  

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• We had just moved to Lemon Heights in the Tustin area. My husband was on a business trip...I was lonely, tired, grumpy and needed a lovely night out with my young sons. A neighbor suggested Chez Cary as the finest restaurant in the area.
  
  Because the boys were very, very young, I called to make the earliest possible reservation for that evening. I told them to change their clothes into Big People Restaurant clothing and off we went.
  
  They ordered frogslegs. Mom, 3 and 5 year old sons were having a lovely evening.
  
  A small string group was playing at the tables. They stopped at our and asked if we had a request. The 5 year old asked if they knew Speed Racer. The gentleman offered a small bow, said "but of course" - he stepped back and they played a classican rendition of the tune. Sons applauded enthusiastically.
  
  After a truly enjoyable evening and meal, I asked for the bill. There wasn't one. A guest, so charmed by well-behaved children AND their musical request, had taken care of it "with pleasure" I was told.
  
  Chez Cary, it was more than a restaurant. It was an most pleasant experience.
  
  Charlotte Alexander

  By  Anonymous, at August 20, 2007 2:02 PM  

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• I am so disappointed to learn that the Chez Carey is no more.
  Does anyone know of a comparable restaurant? My husband and I were there in the '70's and I wanted to give my son, who lives in the area, a gift certificate for his birthday. I cherish the memory.
  Everyone should have that dining experience at least once in a lifetime.
  Thanks for any help!

  By  Anonymous, at September 15, 2007 11:47 AM  

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• What we remember especially, was the extreme personalized service, including:
  
  Match books waiting for you at your table, preprinted with your name on it;
  
  Getting your car for you without being asked, when you asked for your bill, so that it was ready and waiting for you when yo got to the front door.
  
  The food preparation, service, and ambience were the best. Our only negative was that in those days we couldn't afford to go there very often. But oh what wonderful memories.

  By  gabe@salzmang.com, at September 22, 2007 1:49 PM  

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• I found this site by accident while looking up information about the Japanese Deer Park, and how nostalgic I feel! I remember going to Chez Cary for a pre-prom dinner, and I was one of the strolling violins at Ambrosia, both in Newport and when it later moved to Costa Mesa. Best job I ever had, with great tips! I remember playing at a function that had an ice sculpture of Ronald Reagan's head...lol

  By  Anonymous, at October 01, 2007 8:46 PM  

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• I'd take mild exception to Anonymous, at February 09, 2007 11:11 AM in his claim that fine dining came to Orange County via Chez Cary. While our area has never been a gourmand's paradise, there have long been very good and interesting restaurants here.
  
  The most notable is The Cellar in Fullerton, in the basement (or cellar) of the old California Hotel on Harbor at Wilshire. Restaurant lovers do indeed come from hundreds of miles to dine at The Cellar, which is one of the highest rated restaurants in the United States.
  
  Another I'd like to mention, although not nearly as good for food, was Mona's Castaway on the bluffs above Newport Harbor. It was a restaurant and nightclub started in the 1930s, and reached its peak during World War Two and the years immediately after. In those days it was the only place of its kind for many, many miles around. It was a favorite of officers from the Santa Ana Army Air Base and other local bases and military airfields. It was located right about where East 17th Street in Costa Mesa turns into Dover and proceeds down the hill to PCH. A fire around 1958 or so destroyed the Castaways, and now it's all but forgotten. Local visitors or part-time residents including Errol Flynn, Peter Lorre, Bette Davis, Andy Devine, James Cagney and others would occasionally stop by. John Wayne didn't come around until many years later.

  By  Anonymous, at October 02, 2007 9:55 AM  

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• I'm surprised no one has mentioned Gustav Anders just north of South Coast Plaza, but it must be because it wasn't a place from the old days. The food was magnificent and the bread in particular was spectacular. For several decades it was the second finest restaurant in Orange County, behind The Cellar in Fullerton. It closed about 3 years ago, unfortunately.

  By  Anonymous, at October 02, 2007 10:00 AM  

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• I worked for KWIZ Radio in the late 1960's and had lunch at Chez Carey all the time. Fabulous, declectable dining on for instance, Beluga aviar on toast points and good Russian vodka One time the chef invited me into the kitchen to watch him make chocolate souffles. Those were the best and possibly the most continually costly dining experiences I've had..but we were young and my boyfriend was very rich and life was a wonderful game. There was another great restaurant near there called Villa Fontana. How well I remember Buffums. I was later a publicist for the Irvine Company when there were but TWO towers in Fashion Island. I wrote press releases and even named some of their housing developments. I recall writing the press releases for the new golf club Big Canyon and thinking, who would pay 2000 dollars to join this club. What is it now to join? $300,000 or something. Well, I could go on and on about the good old days in Newport Beach and Santa Ana...things have changed....haven't they?

  By  jana, at October 07, 2007 4:48 PM  

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• We still tell our friends about Chez Cary. The food was great but you can get good food at a lot of places. Chez Cary gave you personalized boxes of matches at your table, a staff of captains and waiters who made sure you never used one of those matches (they appeared out of nowhere to light your cigarette). After dinner cigars were offered from a leather bound case and dipped in cognac. Everything, from cocktails to dessert was a ceremony. When you left, your warm car was at the exit door, no waiting, it just magically appeared.
  Aside from the invasion of the smoke nazis, there are a lot of service tips that could be adopted by today's restaurants to attract diners, differentiat them from the competition and help justify their prices.
  I attened their 10 year anniversary dinner and will never forget it, even though I still dislike sweetbreads.

  By  Anonymous, at November 27, 2007 11:05 AM  

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• I was 15 or16, when I worked at the Chez Cary. I believe it was 1974 to 1976. My Father had worked there as a chef, many years prior to me. They called me a "Pantry Chef" . I shucked oysters, made salads, soups, desserts, etc...
  It was a great time. The only waiter I recall was a very tall, Asian Gentleman by the name of Sidney...what a nice guy! There was also Stania, and of course the ever VOCAL Fred Hossli (Reminds me of Hells Kitchen). Klaus was a very kind, patient chef who was always checking on me :).
  Anyway, I just wanted to post my thoughts, since I was fortunate to have experienced this bit of OC History.
  I am now happily retied in Chino Hills, CA.
  Warm Regards,
  Michele
  Chell57@aol.com

  By  Anonymous, at July 10, 2008 2:01 PM  

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• My Mother, Doris Winckler did much of the publicity for the Chez in the early 1970's. A time when Mary Lou Frazier and her late Brother Roy Christler were in charge--(passed away in early '80's). I recall the many articles written on the Chez--especially Fred Hostler. A true tradition of Continental Cuisine few can match to this day.

  By  Anonymous, at August 17, 2008 1:28 PM  

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• This is the finest restaurant I could ever imagine! I used to go there about once a month for an uncommon experience either with a date or special friends.
  The signal points were: a cushion for ladies feet, extraordinary tapestries hanging on the walls, a wine list that was nothing short on unbelievable, menus that were a visual feast (and only the host had one with prices on it!), the valet had my car always waiting at the front door (I could never figure out how he did it!).
  I had a friend of means who lived in Los Angeles and New York City, spent many weekends in Laguna Beach, and asked me for my favorite restaurant and of course I told him "Chez Cary." We played golf together the day after he and his wife had dined there and he gushed about it......"I have dined at the best in New York, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, etc. and Chez Cary is the Best!
  Too bad it's gone.........

  By  Anonymous, at August 20, 2008 4:52 AM  

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• Our marriage was decided at Chez Cary in 1975.... We wish we could return on our anniversaries.
  
  Bob & Sue

  By  Anonymous, at August 21, 2008 11:45 AM  

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• 24 August 2008
  I worked at the Chez from 1973 to 1989, leaving just before it closed. First, it is pronounced Cary, as in Cary Grant. Second, it was founded by Nathan Rosenberg of San Diego. He had nothing to do with the teemsters--he actually was involved with Meyer Lansky, although just to what extent I will not say here. He bought the old Paris Scene restaurant from the owner's widow after a deal to purchase the Villa Fontana from Howard Lawson fell through in early 1965. In return for Howard Lawson's welching on the deal, Nate hired away the entire staff of the Villa, including Cary Sinclair, Klaus Dornen, and Gus and Geril Muller to run the new place. After about a year, Cary was advised to leave the country for his health. It seems there were certain unexplained shortages, and Nate was in no mood for excuses.
  
  At this juncture, Gus and Geril Muller,who had been captains at the Villa and the Chez, became the GM and maitre d', and were there until late 1972.
  
  Rosenberg died in 1970, and the Chez, along with numerous other properties, was in a trust adminsitrated by Arthur Aptel, J.D., C.P.A., offiices in Beverly Hills. There was a power struggle between the Mullers and Aptel until he fired them on New Year's Eve of 1972. At this point, Aptel appointed Mary Louise Frazier as GM. She had been the office manager/bookkeeper since 1967.
  
  In May of 1973, Gus and Geril opened the Ambrosia in Newport,
  with every intention of putting the Chez out of business. It didn't happen. As it turned out, there was more than enough high-end clientele to keep both places going for many years.
  
  Mary Lou Frazier ran the Chez until 1978, when Sean Lewis, a former captain and maitre d' took over. He was the manager until early 1988, when he had a dispute with that irrascable old curmudgeon (and trust administrator) Arthur Aptel. At that point John "Hans" Stahler, former captain, sommelier and maitre d' took the helm.
  
  Children's Hospital had been after Aptel to sell them the property for many years. However, the price was always ridiculously high. In March of 1990,they unexpectedly met Aptel's price, and by 21 April 1990, the Chez was shuttered forever.
  
  This is a truncated version of a very long and quite fascinating story. We did have one Chez Cary reunion party in 1991, and another get-together when Sean Lewis passed away in 2005. Seems like the only time we get together anymore is when one of our brethern passes on to that great dining room in the sky.
  
  The Chez is not entirely gone - I still have a set of red velvet high-back chairs as my dining room set at home.
  
  John "Hans" Stahler
  Chez Cary, 1973-1989
  j.stahler@att.net

  By  Anonymous, at August 24, 2008 10:48 PM  

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