That Steak Joynt – Chicago, Illinois, a photo by The Pie Shops Collection on Flickr.
Now Adobo Grill.
Postcard Panorama
That Steak Joynt – Chicago, Illinois, a photo by The Pie Shops Collection on Flickr.
Monthly Archives: April 2013
That Steak Joynt – Chicago, Illinois, a photo by The Pie Shops Collection on Flickr.
Canlis, Seattle, Washington
One of the most beautiful modernist restaurants in the country, Canlis still retains many features from its original late 40s design by architectural firms Wimberly & Cook and
Tucker, Shields & Terry for restaurateur Peter Canlis (who had previously opened the Canlis’ Charcoal Broiler in Waikiki, Hawaii, in 1947). Opened in 1950, Canlis’ Charcoal Broiler (now just Canlis) in Seattle was the ultimate in swank, with a soaring roofline, rock walls, and a porte-cochère, de rigueur in the 1950s for arriving in style in your Cadillac.
postcard by hmdavid on Flickr.com
At one time there was even a small illuminated tiki to greet you as you drove up, and other tikis in the restaurant and on the grounds.
image by Dustycajun on Tiki Central (tikiroom.com)
In the 1950s Canlis featured an open kitchen, charcoal broiled steaks, mahi-mahi flown in from Hawaii, and fresh local oysters served by Kimono-wearing Japanese waitresses in a dining room filled with rock walls, an open beamed ceiling and massive plate-glass windows overlooking Lake Union.
image by Dustycajun on Tiki Central (tikiroom.com)
In the late 1990s I visited Canlis. Although I was impressed by the building, the contemporary decor from a 1996 remodel didn’t go well with the modern design of the building. We were on a budget which didn’t allow for dining there (it was perhaps the most expensive restaurant in Seattle), so we just had a cocktail in the lounge and vowed to return another time for dinner. Alas, it was before digital cameras so I don’t have pictures. The good news is that a few years later they remodeled again and the redesign is much more appropriate for the space. The decor is simple, highlighting the incredible rock walls, wooden beams, and expansive windows. They honor the amazing building by showcasing a vintage photo and a recent one on the restaurant’s web site. It’s still owned by the Canlis family, who seem to really care about their history, food, service, and customers. Reports are that the food (Pacific Northwest cuisine) is better than ever, though still very expensive, so save your money for a special night out “old style” when you are visiting Seattle. Oh, be warned: there is a dress code. Gents, wear a jacket (but why not wear a suit and tie?); ladies, wear a dress. Personally, I love that they still have a dress code.
Entrance, image by Canlis.com
Canlis
2576 Aurora Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 283-3313
Open for dinner only, Mon – Fri, 5:30pm – close, Sat 5:00pm – close, closed Sundays
The Sycamore Inn, Route 66, Rancho Cucamonga, California
Part two of a two-part journey along a small part of Route 66 in San Bernardino County, California.
Last week we visited the Magic Lamp Inn along a short but still relatively intact section of U.S. Highway 66 in San Bernardino County. As we continue down the road heading east from the neon genie’s lamp with flame coming out of the spout we pass an outlet of Vince’s Spaghetti, which opened in 1984. The original location of Vince’s in Ontario dates back to 1945 and is still owned by the original Cuccia family, making it a must for the time travel explorer!
A bit farther down the road as we approach the intersection with San Bernardino Road the spectacular neon sign of the Sycamore Inn comes into view.
The Sycamore Inn stands on a historic site that was an oasis of trees next to a creek on the old Santa Fe Trail. In 1848 an inn and tavern was built on the site called the Mountain Inn (hence “since 1848” is on the Sycamore Inn’s sign). Eventually it was destroyed by fire and in 1920 a new building was built among the sycamore trees with a dining room and bar on the first floor and hotel rooms upstairs. This is the same building that is the Sycamore Inn today. The building looks like an old chalet from the Alps, with a large porch in the front and a veranda on the second floor. In 1939 it was renamed the Sycamore Inn as a restaurant only, and its use as a hotel was discontinued. In the heyday of Route 66 the Inn was a popular stop by people traveling to Palm Springs and Las Vegas, including many Hollywood celebrities.
Image by The Sycamore Inn
On the inside is a large bar and lounge with deep red banquettes, an old stone fireplace, and a semi-circle bar in deep red vinyl.
Image by The Sycamore Inn
Image by The Sycamore Inn
The main dining room is large with walls of wood and wallpaper, wooden beams on the ceiling, and tables with club chairs in the same deep red as the upholstery in the bar.
Image by The Sycamore Inn
The menu is strong on beef, with eight varieties of aged Prime steak plus prime rib. They have an extensive list of wines by the glass and the bottle, and table side soufflé offered for dessert. The prices are pretty high, along the lines of higher end ala carte steakhouses, but they have happy hour every night until 8PM featuring inexpensive dinners available in the lounge and on the veranda as well as half-priced wines-by-the-glass, cocktails, and appetizers in the bar.
The Sycamore Inn
8318 Foothill Blvd., Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
Telephone: 909.982.1104
Email: finedining@citivu.com, info@thesycamoreinn.com
Open Mon-Th 5:00pm – 9:00pm, Fri & Sat 5:00pm – 10:00pm, Sun 4:00pm – 8:30pm, happy hour nightly until 8pm
Magic Lamp Inn, Route 66, Rancho Cucamonga, California – CLOSED
Part one of a two-part journey along a small part of Route 66 in San Bernardino County, California.
I’ve driven most of what’s left of Route 66 in California and the stretch through the ‘Inland Empire’ of San Bernardino County is one of the most boring stretches, with mile after mile of chain stores and restaurants, ugly shopping centers, and suburban tract homes. But there is a short segment on Foothill Blvd in Rancho Cucamonga that is well worth a drive for a good meal, especially after dark.
This daytime shot I took in 2008 gives you a bit of an idea how this stretch of road looks. On the right (South) side are the Magic Lamp Inn (which is just out of view), followed by historic Vince’s Spaghetti, which opened in Ontario in 1945, then later at this location in 1984 (but the building looks much older). On the left when I took the photo there was an old fruit and vegetable stand, which may be gone now, followed by a low Spanish style building, which is now a sushi restaurant, and then at the intersection with San Bernardino Rd. stands the lovely and historic Sycamore Inn, which deserves a post of its own (to follow later).
But I recommend you drive it at night.
The incredible neon sign still has a flame coming out of its spout!
The Magic Lamp Inn opened in 1955 but the building was a restaurant since the 1940s and retains its rustic charm, with lots of brick and stone, and a unique Spanish tile roof with tiles of different shades of red arranged in a variety of interesting patterns. It really must be seen in person to be appreciated!
entrance to the Magic Lamp Inn
Inside is a large cocktail lounge, then past that there is this wonderful fireplace seating area. Notice the massive cactus outside in front of the window.
The fireplace after dark looking through the front window.
The food is traditional steakhouse fare, featuring USDA Prime beef, and most dinners come with a fabulous relish tray, delicious cheese bread (a specialty of the San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire), vegetable, and choice of potato.
Around the bend is a visit to our next stop, the Sycamore Inn.
Magic Lamp Inn
8189 Foothill Blvd Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
(909) 981-8659
Open for lunch Tue-Fri 11:30am – 2:30pm
Dinner Tue-Th 4:30pm – 10:00pm, Fri & Sat 5:00pm – 10:30pm, Sun 4:30pm – 9:00pm
Bar open Tue-Fri 11:30am – close, Sat 5:00pm – close, Sun 4:30pm – close
Live music and dancing Wed-Th 7:30pm – 11:00pm, Fri & Sat 8:00pm – 1:00am
And the dreaded karaoke Tuesday and Sunday 6:00pm – close
