Serving up steaks to Portland (Oregon) residents since 1944, the RingSide has been continuously owned by the Peterson family for over 60 years.  The restaurants has received award from local and national wine, fine dining, and steakhouse organizations.  Portland residents frequently list it as one of their top special occasion restaurants.
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 …read more

Hello fellow travelers!
I’ve gathered up some great weekend reads, so grab a cup of coffee, and settle in.  These posts are sure to make for great Sunday (or any day) reading:
Filipina Soul introduces us to the Ayala Museum which houses world-class collections based on the history of the Philippines.  Beautiful!

Travel Writers News lists the best online travel resources.  I was aware of most of these, but picked up a few that I’ve now added to my list.  You’ll find this very helpful.
The Los Angeles Guide introduces to the mobile food vendors are the latest, hippest, dining experience to hit LA, …read more

Today’s matchbook comes from reader Jeff Williams.  Jeff runs the website Matchbook Traveler, and attempts to keep travelers up to date about places where you can still pick up matchbooks.  With our ever increasing No Smoking world, those locations are getting fewer and fewer, but Jeff manages to list a pretty good selection of spots.
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, …read more

With only three sleeps before I head off to Italy, much of my time this week has been spent reading up on all sorts of wonderful things about Italy, and doing some research about Croatia.
Still, I did get intrigued by a number of other topics, though. . . .
Eyeflare – 9 airport rip offs, and although I don’t agree with all of them (Duty Free can be a bargain, if you know you’re prices), there’s some good tips here.
The Edinburgh Guide – I don’t often think of tanning in Scotland, but Andy tells us the best spots in Edinburgh …read more

I’ve been doing a bunch of cleaning around the house, and found a bunch of old matchbooks tucked away in the back of a drawer.  As I’ve sorted through them, memories of past vacations came flooding back, and there were a lot of chuckles as I remembered some of the things that had happened.
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 …read more

Since I’m in Miami, it’s probably no surprise that today’s matchbook comes from one of the many international restaurants here in this international city.  Texas de Brazil has locations in other states as well, but given wonderful mix of flavors here in this city, it fits right at home in Miami
Texas de Brazil is a churrascaria restaurant – a special heaven for meat lovers!
Based on a concept from the Gauchos (South American cowboys), the churrascaria provides a variety of meats roasted on an open pit.  Offered on skewers, and carved tableside, the grilled meat is accompanied by salads, vegetables, …read more

Today’s Matchbook Monday comes from a Seattle restaurant that is one of my favorites.  It’s been quite awhile since I’ve been there, the last time was with a bunch of my tech friends who were in town for a conference.  Going through the matchbooks made me realize that I’m ready for a return trip.
Assaggio’s is simple Italian food, presented with exceptional customer service.  Dinner there is reminiscent of the food I ate in Italy:  simple, fabulously flavorful, and full of the best from the local garden (in this case, the Pike Place Market).  Owner Mauro Golmarvi will greet you …read more

Calling itself an “open-air bar and grille for open minded people,” Hamburger Mary’s delivers good food and a fun atmosphere.
Part of a 14-store national franchise, Hamburger Mary’s opened in San Francisco in 1972.  It opened as a family oriented, affordably priced, restaurant and bar that target the gay and lesbian community and their families, along with those friendly to that population.  As the chain has expanded it has refined its concept with a focus on fresh food, home-style meals, that are prepared and presented in a fun atmosphere.
At the Palm Springs Hamburger Mary’s location, you’ll be greeted outside the …read more

Often times when I’m in a city regularly, I develop a few favorite places.  Despite being fairly adventurous at trying new places and things, when you find a favorite it’s sometimes hard to try something new.
Karne Garibaldi (website is in Spanish) in Guadalajara, Mexico is one of those favorite places.  When I’m in Guadalajara, the assumptions is that I’ll be having at least one meal at Karne Garibaldi.  And I’ve never gone wrong with that decision.
To “get” the concept of this restaurant, you have to let go of what you assume typical Mexican food is like.  What passes for …read more

Today’s Matchbook Monday features a box from BOA Steakhouse in Las Vegas.  BOA is located at Caesar’s Palace, among the Forum Shops, overlooking the Vegas Strip (3500 South Las Vegas Boulevard).
As the name suggests, BOA is known for its steaks. offered up with your choice of rubs (tri peppercorn, blackened, blue cheese, herbed butter, foie gras butter) or sauces (signature, cabernet béarnaise, chimichurri, creamy horseradish, peppercorn).  Add a side or two (vegetables and potatoes) in a size suitable for sharing, and just try to save room for dessert.
There are a variety of seafood choices on the menu, either as …read more