Portland — For its 75th birthday, Portland’s oldest steakhouse is undergoing a little procedure.
Ringside, the West Burnside Street steakhouse that opened in 1944, plans to close this summer for a “nips and tucks” remodel to expand the famous sunken bar and fully enclose a semi-private dining space. The restaurant will close on July 3 and expects to reopen Aug. 10.
The closure date will also be the last day for executive chef Beau Carr. Carr, who spent 21 years overseeing Ringside’s kitchen, plans to get married in July. Last month, Ringside brought on executive sous chef Amanda Sullivan (Portland City Grill) to work with chef de cuisine Nick Flores while they search for a new executive chef.
The renovation comes nine years after a more significant remodel at the Nob Hill restaurant in 2010.
For customers, the biggest change might end up being the expansion of the signature sunken bar. The remodel aims to maintain the bar’s “Mad Men”-era charm, while making room for a second person to work alongside longtime Ringside bartender Jimmy O’Boyle.
