RingSide Steakhouse: 78 Years of Legacy, Anniversary Romance Hits Hard
To celebrate my anniversary with Brother Monkey đ, we picked two restaurants for our big day đâour first stop? The legendary RingSide Steakhouse, which has been serving up deliciousness for 78 years! From the second we walked in, the warmth and romance of this old-school American steakhouse wrapped around us. Every little detail won us over, and it totally lived up to our expectations for this "special occasion"! The restaurant is easy to find at 2165 W Burnside Stâand the best part? No stress about parking! They offer complimentary valet parking đ żïž. As soon as we got out of the car, the server smiled and asked, "Here to celebrate your anniversary?" They even had our special day in mind beforehandâtotal (good impression) boost right off the bat! đ„š Appetizers: Even Onion Haters Will Swoon! James Beard-Approved Onion Rings + Cumin Cauliflower Surprise : Onion Rings Iâm usually a total "onion hater"âbut when I saw the menu quote from James Beard (the authority in American food): "The finest French Fried Onion Rings I have ever eaten in America", my curiosity went through the roof đČ! We ordered the small size, but it arrived piled high like a little mountainâgolden, crispy, and totally inviting. The first bite was a total "" moment! The outer layer is thin and crispy (crunches with every bite đ„ą) and not greasy at all. Inside, the onion is cooked until soft and sweetâno sharp, overpowering flavor. Even I, the onion hater, couldnât help eating two in a row! Brother Monkey couldnât stop munching either, saying, "These onion rings are better than most fries!" The "small" size is easily enough for 2-3 peopleâno worry about not having enough! : Oregon Albacore Ceviche After the rich onion rings, this ceviche was the perfect refresher đ! Fresh albacore tuna is marinated in lime juiceâfirm, bouncy, and bursting with bright, tangy ocean sweetness (no fishiness at all!). Chunks of avocado and red bell pepper add extra texture; one bite wakes up your taste buds, getting you ready for the steak ahead đ. : Roasted Rainbow Cauliflowers This dish totally gave us "street food BBQ vibes" đ„! The cauliflower is roasted until crispy on the outside, tender inside, and tossed with cumin. Every bite is packed with that fragrant cumin flavorâit doesnât even taste like a fancy restaurant dish, but in the best way (down-to-earth deliciousness!). Brother Monkey, who usually skips veggies, kept stealing bites, saying, "This cauliflower is better than meat!" Itâs a total hit for Chinese palates đ! đ„© Main Courses: Lobster Tails Juicy & Tender, Prime Rib Melts in Your Mouth! : Maine Lobster Tail Duo () My lobster tails were amazing đŠ! Two plump tailsâso tender, the meat peels off easily with a fork. Dip it in warm butter đ§, and the butterâs richness pairs perfectly with the lobsterâs natural sweetnessâevery bite feels like "ocean luxury," no tough, frozen texture here. The mashed potatoes on the side were a bonus tooâsmooth as clouds, with a hint of creaminess. I ate two spoonfuls without stopping! : Prime Rib (Medium Rare) Brother Monkey ordered the Prime Rib cooked medium rareâand the doneness was perfect! Cut into it, and youâll see that beautiful pink, juicy center (no excess blood!). It melts in your mouth, the fat cooked until rich but not greasyâevery chew is full of beefy flavor, no tough bites at all. The side of Yorkshire pudding? We were a little confused by it đ âcrispy outside, soft inside, with a faint wheat flavor. Itâs okay dipped in steak juice, but not super memorable on its own. đź Surprise Extras: Free CrĂšme BrĂ»lĂ©e + Celebrity Signature, Details Make the Day! : Complimentary CrĂšme BrĂ»lĂ©e (Anniversary Gift) Halfway through the meal, the server brought out a crĂšme brĂ»lĂ©e, smiling and saying, "Happy anniversary!" đ This is hands down the best crĂšme brĂ»lĂ©e weâve ever had! The caramel top cracks with a satisfying "crunch," and the inside is silky smoothârich vanilla cream, no cloying sweetness at all. You can even see tiny vanilla seeds at the bottom; we wanted more after finishing it! : Spotted CJâs Autograph While wandering the restaurant, we accidentally found CJâs (NBA star Chris Paul, nicknamed CJ) autograph on the wall âïžâinstantly thinking, "This place has so much history!" Even celebrities come here, which just proves its reputation âš. : Warm & Romantic Ambiance The restaurantâs interior is warm brown wood, soft lighting, and leather booths. Tables are spaced just rightâno feeling cramped. The corner booth we sat at even had a small candle, amping up the romance đ«. Whether chatting or taking photos, itâs super comfortableâexactly what we wanted for our anniversary â€ïž! #Portland #PortlandEats #PortlandFoodie #RingSideSteakhouse #PortlandSteakhouse #PortlandOregon #Steakhouse #AnniversaryDinner