One of the signs that I'm getting a little bit older - I'm starting to reminisce about things that are now gone...

Nina used to collect matchbooks - her father gave her a few and she and I added to the collection for awhile.  We haven't really added anything in years, but still have a display rack with the matchbooks - mostly from restaurants.  Last night I walked past and noticed that a number of the favorite places were no longer in business.  I thought I'd post pictures of the restaurants that I most miss - just because.

It bothered me a bit that I couldn't go back to eat at these wonderful restaurants - each fantastic in its own way.

Growing up in Philadelphia, Bookbinder's was a famous place and, while I only ate there a 1/2 dozen times, it was always wonderful and a true piece of the Philadelphia identity.  It closed a few years ago after being open for damn near ever.

 

 

 

 

The Lincoln Del was the one true East-coast style deli in Minneapolis.  You can argue with me if you like, but I've yet to find something that matches up to what I grew up with.  It was also Nina's favorite restaurant and a place where her grandmother had worked for a time many years ago.  The family that owned it sold all three locations about a decade ago and we still miss the place something awful.

 

 

The Monk was one of my favorite restaurants - Nina never actually had a chance to eat there.  It was located across from the Seminary in Bexley, OH (outside of Columbus) and was where I would take my Columbus-based clients for dinner when I was in town.  It had a great atmosphere and great food and everyone always enjoyed dinner at the Monk.  Good wine list as well.  I found out that it was gone when I was last in Columbus (I had been back in years due to a job change) and tried to make reservations... Very sad afternoon for me.

 

 

T. Wrights...  The building is now a fitness club.   Very sad.  This one hurts in particular because it would have been an easy walk from where we live now.   At least we have Spasso and Snuffy's...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Billy's was a cool place that was a loss for Nina's family - it was a standard eating/meeting place for her extended family and their friends.  Good food and I think it had been there for quite a long time.

 

 

 

 

I've always thought that the loss of any good restaurant was a tragedy - getting together with friends and family (or clients) over food and drink makes for lasting memories and, at least for me, I tie a lot of memories to physical locations.  When restaurants fail or are closed for whatever reason, somehow the memories don't seem quite so solid anymore.  At least we still have the matchbooks...

 

Alex Crittenden