New Hudson Villa

Circa 1930 to 1970

These are photos relating to my Father's, (Ettore), restaurant. The Hudson Villa's first location was about 2 miles south of the Washington Bridge. It occupied an old mansion built by a Dutch family. It was on the top of the Palisades with a marvelous view of the Hudson River and New York City. How well I remember seeing New York lit up at night, the US Navy anchored in the Hudson River two by two , just as they were at Pearl Harbor, Lightening flashes over and into the city. I saw a DC-3 airplane circling the East Tower of the Washington Bridge about 1934 to dedicate the Beacon atop the tower. The Beacon was dedicated to Wally Post and Will Rogers. They were killed flying in the Arctic. Wally Post was a famous Pilot and Will Rogers was the most famous comedian/commentator of his time.

This is one of the few photos I have of the original Hudson Villa. It was located on top of the Palisades about two miles south of the George Washington Bridge. The picture shows Arturo Toscanini, the most famous conductor of the time and his family. His family included Arthur Horowitz one of the outstanding pianists of his time or maybe the century. Toscanini often told his friends the Hudson Villa was his favorite restaurant. He often ordered Tripe and polenta. He was always addressed as Maestro by my father and his waiters.

Do you see the dark disc just behind Toscanini? That was a target. We as well as customers used that disc for target practice. We would fire 22 caliber rounds at the target. When we hit the target it went Ping!. When we missed, the round sailed over the Hudson. Wonder if any river boats had some strange happenings.

Note the magnificent view of Manhattan west.

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Here is the Chef. Poppa cooking at the original Hudson Villa. See the door behind Pop? I remember it well. That door led to the stairway that went into the cellar. When we were there and they were busy we would go into the cellar to sleep on a bed there until the restaurant was empty. The things you remember.

Below is a copy of the back of the "New Hudson Villa" business card. The front of the card was a picture of the Villa.

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Bon Voyage...........