Object numberM2018/018:003
DescriptionPhotograph depicting three individuals standing outside the Vienna Cafe in St. Kilda, Victoria, circa 1958 to early 1960s. On the reverse side of the photograph is written "Vienna Cafe Melbourne / Szapanyos Gyuszi". The Vienna Cafe was owned and operated by Gyuszi Szapanyos and his sister, who were migrants from the Hungarian village of Kunszentmiklos.
The photograph was in the possession of the Sarkadi family, who also originated in Kunszentmiklos. After surviving the Holocaust and moving to Melbourne in 1958, the Sarkadi family operated their own restaurant, the "Manhattan" at nearby 319 Barkly Street, Elwood.
The Sarkadi family was made up of grandmother Margit Reisz (b. 1889), Laszlo (b. 1907) and Ilona Sarkadi (nee Reisz, b. 1916), and their three children Joseph (b. 1934), Stephen (b. 1938) and Emily (b. 1947).
The Sarkadis lived in the building, and rented out extra rooms or flats to single male boarders. László and Ilona had no experience as restaurateurs. Ilona’s mother Margit, however, was a talented cook and was an invaluable part of the operation. Joseph and Stephen, who harboured dreams of moving to America, successfully campaigned to name the restaurant "Manhattan". The restaurant served Hungarian-influenced cuisine to fellow ex-patriots and migrants from elsewhere in Europe. On nights when business at his own restaurant was slow, Laszlo would often cycle over to the Little Vienna to chat with its owners.
The Sarkadis' restaurant closed in 1963 following Margit's death.
The photograph was in the possession of the Sarkadi family, who also originated in Kunszentmiklos. After surviving the Holocaust and moving to Melbourne in 1958, the Sarkadi family operated their own restaurant, the "Manhattan" at nearby 319 Barkly Street, Elwood.
The Sarkadi family was made up of grandmother Margit Reisz (b. 1889), Laszlo (b. 1907) and Ilona Sarkadi (nee Reisz, b. 1916), and their three children Joseph (b. 1934), Stephen (b. 1938) and Emily (b. 1947).
The Sarkadis lived in the building, and rented out extra rooms or flats to single male boarders. László and Ilona had no experience as restaurateurs. Ilona’s mother Margit, however, was a talented cook and was an invaluable part of the operation. Joseph and Stephen, who harboured dreams of moving to America, successfully campaigned to name the restaurant "Manhattan". The restaurant served Hungarian-influenced cuisine to fellow ex-patriots and migrants from elsewhere in Europe. On nights when business at his own restaurant was slow, Laszlo would often cycle over to the Little Vienna to chat with its owners.
The Sarkadis' restaurant closed in 1963 following Margit's death.
Production placeMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
Production date 1958 - 1965
Object namephotographs
Materialpaper
Techniquephotography
Dimensions
- height: 139.00 mm
width: 88.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Ester Sarkadi-Clarke