I love steak. But I love steak even more when it’s a bargain. I’m not talking about a cheap steak like the kind you get at Tad’s or Palace Steak House in San Francisco. I’m talking about a huge prime dry-aged beef tenderloin steak with soup or salad and potato for $27.95!
At Eddie’s Supper Club in Great Falls Montana they have been serving steaks they call Campfire Steaks since 1944. A Campfire Steak is a steak with a special marinade applied so that it develops a nice charred crust. They claim that their steaks taste “like that old Marlboro cowboy cooked it over a fire”. Yeehaw!
The Manhattan comes with it’s own little mixing glass and strainer.
The restaurant is pretty swanky inside with leatherette booths and many large oil paintings of cowboys and horses. In the lounge are two piano bars facing each other, and they have dueling piano players, however when we visited one of the players was out sick, so there was just one gentleman on the keys. We had after-dinner drinks in the bar and heard a few numbers. Several senior regulars who knew the piano player came in while we were there and took seats at the piano. They also have a more casual coffee shop.
Thanks to Michael Stern’s Roadfood.com for the restaurant tip!
This gorgeous Art Deco bar opened in the historic Oxford Hotel (c. 1890) the day after prohibition ended in 1933, and has changed very little since. Filled with neon lighting and decorative panels designed by Denver artist Alley Henson, it’s a must-stop in Denver for cocktails. The Oxford Hotel is a great place to stay in Denver for the historic ambiance, its convenient downtown location, the complimentary Grand Marnier in the lobby, and especially The Cruise Room.
Today Tom Ingram announced the scheduled acts for the Tenth Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender. I can’t believe it’s been going this long. I missed the first one, but went to the second one in 1999 and every one afterwards except this year, because I decided to finally go to the Ponderosa Stomp festival (in Memphis this year) instead. Some people go to VLV primarily to socialize but for me it’s mostly about the great music. This year I just felt that I could see far more veteran musicians that I had not seen before, and with a bigger variety of musical styles, at the Ponderosa Stomp. I was not disappointed – it was a great event with some of the best performances I’ve ever seen. Still, I missed going to Viva Las Vegas this year because, well, it’s Vegas! So, I already have my hotel room for the Gold Coast booked for Viva Las Vegas 10 (all rooms are already sold out).
Also in 2007 is the return of the Rockin’ 50s Fest in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It has occured every 2 years (making this one the third), probably because it takes so long to plan such a huge event. It lasts over 7 days with an amazing array of talent, old and new, on several stages at the Oneida Indian Reservation Casino. I missed the first one because I chose to go to VLV instead but in 2005 I went to both VLV and Green Bay, and they were both in the month of April! Next year I’m going to Green Bay again for sure, but luckily the event is about one month after VLV and it’s in May so I hope it will be a little warmer in Wisconsin this time. Only a few acts have been announced so far but what a lineup! – Little Richard, the Collins Kids, Jack Scott, Sun artists Carl Mann and Billy Lee Riley (who always puts on a great show), and the Cadillacs.
WWJD? Go to both VLV and Green Bay!
Viva Las Vegas – VLV Rockabilly Weekender
Green Bay Rockin’ 50s Fest III
The historic Balboa Fun Zone in Newport Beach, CA, was purchased last year by the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum. They have already closed the miniature golf course, and will close the bumper cars, dark ride, and other rides in September. I visited in October 2003 and had a blast playing the vintage skee ball and riding the dark ride.
We just saw the closure of the remaining two original tiki places in Orange County: the Royal Hawaiian in Laguna Beach and Sam’s Seafood in Huntington Beach, and now this happens. Soon there won’t be anything worth visiting in Orange County except the Hi Times liquor store.
OC Register article on sale
Balboa Fun Zone web site – with price list of rides for sale – anyone want to buy a laughing lady for $3,000?
Newport Harbor Nautical Museum web site – “dedicated to preserving and promoting the maritime heritage of Newport Harbor…”. Yeah, right!
Next month, May 8th, 9th, and 10th to be exact, is the 5th annual Ponderosa Stomp. Previously held in New Orleans, this year it will be in the music-rich city of Memphis, TN. There will be about 60 acts over 3 nights from 5PM until 2AM each night! While a few are well known, most of the acts are unsung legends of R&B, blues, soul, 60s garage, and rockabilly, quite a few from Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, and nearby states. Some are great guitarists, pianists, or horn players that you have heard on more famous artists’ records from the early 1950s through the 1970s. There is great variety in music and some very talented musicians backing up each act. Plus, all the proceeds will go to musicians affected by hurricane Katrina.
It’s not too late to buy tickets for the event, and secure lodging. But hurry, because the weekend before the Ponderosa Stomp is the annual Beale Street Music Festival, and the Thursday after the event is the annual Blues Awards ceremony and show, so rooms are filling up fast.
There is a soul dance the Sunday before the Stomp, tours of Sun and Stax (recreated) studios with artists from the labels present on the tours during the day, a record fair, and more! Not to mention all the other stuff to see and do in Memphis: Graceland, the Rock ‘n Soul Museum, Soulsville, the Civil Rights Museum, Schwab’s, great barbeque, etc. It is going to be an amazing event!
I’ll see you there!
Ponderosa Stomp web site
There’s a great photo gallery of Sacramento signs on Flickr, including this working animated neon sign for Gunthers ice cream shop. I’m in the mood for a gristly steak and a glass of cheap champagne at Lil’ Joe’s.
Sacramento Signs
(via Boing Boing)
Site by