In its heyday, Madame Wu’s Garden in Santa Monica was where smartly dressed Hollywood A-listers vied for seats amid white-tablecloth splendor. Last month in Beverly Hills, she celebrated her centennial with family and friends.
Left to right, family members Maya and Amanda Wong pose with Madame Wu along with David and Alex Wong at Wu’s 100th birthday celebration at the Peninsula Beverly Hills. (Dan Krauss / For The Times)
Left to right, Eric Hui, Patty and Wayne Yamada, and Teddy Eu listen to speeches at Madame Wu’s 100th birthday celebration. More than 110 relatives and friends honored “a traditional woman with untraditional ideas,” said “No. 1 son” Patrick Wu, senior assistant with the L.A. County Counsel. (Dan Krauss / For The Times)
Peter More, left, Shirley More, Reiko Moe and Felita Shen listen to speeches at Madame Wu’s 100th birthday celebration. On this night, the matriarch wore a dress of deep burgundy, with a gold-embroidered sleeveless jacket, jade-and-diamond earrings and Christian Dior spectacles. (Dan Krauss / For The Times)
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Madame Wu and actress Jennifer Grant at Wu’s 100th birthday celebration. Grant is the daughter of Cary Grant, who helped give rise to what would become Wu’s restaurant’s signature dish when he asked her to devise her own variation on a medley he had enjoyed elsewhere. (Dan Krauss / For The Times)
Madame Wu and actress Jennifer Grant at Wu’s 100th birthday celebration. “Since I met her, I’ve marveled at her elegance,” said Barbara Grant Jaynes, Cary Grant’s widow and Jennifer’s stepmother. (Dan Krauss / For The Times)