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

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

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

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

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

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

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

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

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

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

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

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Kenwanda Golf Course is an 18-hole, 5,336 yard long golf course, that offers a challenging course with a beautiful view of the Snohomish River Valley, and Cascade and Olympic Mountain Ranges.  There is also a putting green and a cafe.

The name of the course comes from Ken and Wanda Harris, the developers and owners of the course, who personally moved rocks and trees to create the course.  The back nine opened in 1967.

Since smoking is no longer allowed in most public places, matchbooks are dying out.  You may, however, have some stuffed in a drawer or collecting in a box or vase.  It’s one of the most collectible items around.  If you have one (or some), take a photo and email it to me, along with any notes or thoughts about where you picked it up.  I’ll be happy to feature it for an upcoming Matchbook Monday.

Photo credit:  personal collection

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Today, though, I step back to a popular destination, Las Vegas, and the Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino.

Located right on the Las Vegas strip at 3535 Las Vegas Boulevard South, the Imperial Palace is an Asian-themed hotel owned by the Harrah’s corporation.

It’s two primary attractions are the Auto Collection and Legends in Concert.

The Auto Collection is the world’s largest classic car showroom, and features over $100 million dollars in inventory.  Over 250 antique and classic cars are on display, nearly all for sale, and walking through is like taking a little snapshot of history.

Legends in Concert, a long-running musical presentation by celebrity impersonators.  While the show moved next door to Harrah’s just a few months ago, it’s substantially linked to the Imperial Palace where it originated.

The Imperial Palace is not typically one of those hotels that’s at the top of my list when choosing a place to stay in Las Vegas.  It’s been many years since I’ve stayed there, but on that occasion I had the opportunity to visit the spa.  Between soaking in various pools, and a fabulous to-die-for-massage, it ranks as one of my best spa experiences.

Photo credit:  personal collection

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

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

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

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

Post from: Fly Away Cafe