The Stardust opened in 1958, and had a rather checkered existence.  There were numerous rumors that it was a front for mob activities, and several managers and associates has criminal histories that gave credence to the rumors.  But the Stardust was also known for launching careers.

Magicians Siegfried & Roy got their big Las Vegas start at the Stardust, as did plenty of other entertainers whose names became, legendary around town.

It’s amazing how many of the old standards of the strip have gone by the wayside, making way for bigger, better, and splashier hotels and casinos.  I love some of the new places, but also appreciate the history of the old.

Do you have a matchbook collection, or maybe just a couple of them knocking about in a drawer?  I’d love to feature your matchbook in an upcoming Matchbook Monday.  Just take a quick photo and email it to me

Photo credit:  personal collection

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While smoking at the restaurants is a thing of the past, enjoying their great steaks is not.  With two locations, downtown at  2165 West Burnside and Glendoveer at 14021 NE Glisan, RingSide is not far from wherever you are in the Portland area.

Do you have a matchbook that you’ve found stuck away in a drawer?  I’d love to feature it in a future Matchbook Monday.  Take a photo and email it to me, and be sure to include any memories that you might have.

Photo credit:  personal collection

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These matchbooks were picked up at a little corner store in Cavtat, a town on a bay just south of Dubrovnik.  Matchbooks weren’t available for FREE restaurants or bars, they were sold in local shops.  They cost about 10 kuna, which is the equivalent to about two cents.

Do you have a matchbook that you’ve found in a drawer somewhere?  Or maybe you’ve picked one up in some recent travels?  I’d love to feature it in an upcoming Matchbook Monday.  All you need to do is take a photo and email it to me, including any odds and ends of details about where you got in and when. It’s getting harder and harder to find new matchbooks, so dig deep into your collection and help me out!

Photo credit:  personal collection

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I remember when this hotel opened.  It was the most luxurious hotel in Tacoma, had a great fine dining restaurant (I believe it was Italian), and since it was adjacent to the Bicentennial Pavilion, it catered to a lot of business and convention travelers.  I stayed there frequently after special events, planning to stay rather than drive, after a night of indulgence.

The Tacoma Sheraton was also happened to be a prime meeting spot for “working women” to meet up with a “client.”

After falling away from luxury standards for awhile, the hotel was eventually purchased, remodeled, and re-packaged as the beautiful Murano Hotel.  Although I’ve not yet stayed there, the hotel lobby is full of beautiful art, and, given its proximity to the Museum of Glass, has dedicated the rooms and public space to glass artist.  Worth a trip to see the public areas, even if you’re not staying there.

The address is the same:  1320 Broadway Plaza, Tacoma.

Photo credit:  personal collection

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Today’s Matchbook Monday is a little trip down Las Vegas memory lane, back to the glory years of the desert, and the once infamous Desert Inn.  The Desert Inn was once the home to reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes, who rented a couple floors and holed up there for so long that he eventually bought the place.  This was the first of many Las Vegas purchases that Howard Hughes made.

The Desert Inn was one of the premium resorts on the strip, and all the top stars played its Crystal Showroom.  You weren’t anybody till you played the DI.  The original 1960’s version of Ocean’s Eleven was shot here, and it was the setting for the television show Vega$ which aired in the late 70’s.

The resort celebrated it’s 50th birthday in 2000, with a huge, splashy week long party that included many of the starts that had played there over the years.  Just three short days later, the resort was purchased by Steve Wynn.  The hotel eventually closed and was demolished, making way for the Wynn Resort.

I remember visiting the Desert Inn at a time when it was considered one of the elite spots on the strip.  Anyone else?

Photo credit:  personal collection

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Twin Oaks Restaurant in Cranston, Rhode Island

Like me, Jeff enjoys using matchbooks as a bit of a souvenir of a special place and occasion.  He’s provides this matchbook from the Twin Oaks Restaurant in Cranston, Rhode Island.  Back in the 70’s this was considered one of the top restaurants in the state, and Jeff said that he always looked forward to having lunch or dinner at the restaurant.

The restaurant, which got its starts as a Speakeasy during the days of Prohibition, is located at 100 Sabra Street in Cranston, is still around, and over the years has won a number of awards.  It serves up quality family food six days a week (closed Monday), and is open for lunch and dinner.

Thanks, Jeff, for sharing your memory and matchbook with us!

Photo credit:  Jeff Williams, Matchbook Traveler

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Known for its extensive menu of burgers, and serving bottomless steak fries, Red Robin was first opened on Eastlake beneath the southern end of the University Bridge. It was first a tavern named Sam’s.  The owner was a fan of the lyrics, “When the red, red robin goes bob, bob, bobbin’ along” and he eventually incorporated the lyrics into the name of tavern with Sam’s Red Robin.

The tavern eventually became more of a restaurant, and Sam’s was dropped from the name.  A local Seattle restaurant developer purchased the Red Robin, developed the concept of gourmet burgers, and set the stage for franchising the concept.  The menu has expanded beyond burgers, but still remains fairly true to the original concept.  It is a family friendly restaurant.

Although the restaurants have been through their ups and downs, there are currently over 400 Red Robin locations across the United States and Canada.  It’s is publicly traded on the NASDAQ exchange.

Photo credit:  personal collection

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There were also some matchbooks, much like the one today, that I didn’t have a strong memory about.

This matchbook is from Andiamo’s, which I’m guessing is either an Italian restaurant (the obvious choice based on the name), or a steakhouse (a niggling memory is trying to work it’s way to the front of my mind).

I’ve asked around, googled around, and no one can quite remember where the restaurant was.  The closest suggestion that I’ve heard is that is was a steakhouse at the former Bally’s Hotel (formerly the MGM Grand and now the Grand Sierra Resort) in Reno, and was from about 15 – 20 years ago.

If the name, or any of the added details, trigger a memory for anyone, I’d love to know about it!

Do you find matchbooks tucked away in a drawer, only to discover them years later.  They are souvenirs of restaurants that have nearly been eliminated.  Share the past with others by taking a photo of a matchbook, and emailing it to me along with any details that you can remember.  I’ll feature it in an upcoming Matchbook Monday.

Photo credit:  personal collection

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Paris is located on the Las Vegas Strip, and, as it’s name suggests is patterned after the famous French city after which it takes its name.  It include a 540 foot replica of the Eiffel Tower, making it easily identifiable in the Vegas skyline.  The property also includes a two-thirds sized Arc de Triomphe, a replica of La Fontaine des Mers, and a neon sign shaped like the Montgolfier balloon.  The front of the hotel is designed to look like the Paris Opera House and the Louvre.

Paris is connected to its next door sister property, Bally’s Las Vegas, by a covered promenade, making both properties easily accessible to guests.  You can wander back and forth between the two properties, or head to the monorail station that serves both properties.

It will never take the place of the real Paris, but if you’re looking for a strip hotel, this is a good choice.

Do you have a matchbook collection sitting around in a jar or stuck in a desk drawer?  Matchbook Monday was started specifically because of people like you.  Even though we’ve moved into a non-smoking era, most of us have picked up matchbooks from our various travels around the world.  I’d love to share your matchbook on a future Matchbook Monday, so please take a photo and email it to Flyaway Cafe.  Feel free to include any remembrances of how you came to get the matchbook.

Photo credit:  personal collection

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Documents date the town back to at least 980 AD, but even earlier it was invaded by the Gauls.  The town’s origin was most likely as a castle, and at its center was an old fortress dating back to the time of the invasions.  Today the fort serves at the town hall, and the town spreads out from that hub.

Hotel Poli is a 3-star moderately priced hotel in the center of town, giving it a great location for exploring.  The hotel has 53 rooms, all with balconies, and include modern amenities – including internet access.

Adjacent to the hotel are eight vacation apartments of various sizes that will sleep up to three people.  All apartments include a kitchenette, living area, and porch and make for a nice combination of hotel amenities and personal privacy.

This looks like a charming little town and affordable hotel to serve as home base for exploring the Reggio Emilia area.

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