LISTENING POST WHY YOUR PARTY PLANS SHOULD INCLUDE US. I BEST OF EVERYTHING I Delicious Italian Favorites Are Drawing Folks Across Town Whatever occasion you're planning, we'll customize all our banquet services to meet your needs and budget. Ask us for more information. DANNY RASKIN Local Columnist BUSINESS MEETINGS A SPORTS BANQUETS REHEARSAL DINNERS HOLIDAY BANQUETS SPECIAL OCCASIONS. 1 1P, CUSTOMIZED BANQUET SPECIALISTS MATNTAIN PRIME RIB -CHOICE STEAKS 26855 Greenfield Road Southfield 557-0570 Superb Northern Italian Cuisine Mon.-Fri. 11-11, Sat. 4-12 mid., Sun. 2-11 •lST urs- Valet Parking BANQUET FACILITIES 4222 Second Blvd. Bet. Willis & Canfield 833-9425 RESERVATIONS TAKEN FOR MOTHER'S DAY Nationally Known For Serving 4-H Blue Ribbon Steaks and Chops. Excellent Seafood and Liquors. ALL BEEF AGED IN OUR OWN COOLERS OOMS FOR BANQUETS 8t PARTIES Serving Daily From 11:30 a.m. — Sunday From 2 p.m. 3026 Grand River • Valet Parking • 833-0700 ■ • I I I I OM. BEEF STEW DINNER CHOICE OF SOUP OR SALAD $545 DELI and RESTAURANT DINNERS & PARTY TRAYS . . . Free Delivery' ISHIVA Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner . . . Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. 7 a.m.-3 p.m. 352-4940 21754 W. 11 MILE AT LAHSER • HARVARD ROW Fax 352-9393 70 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1991 I second anniversary has a true ring of suc- cess for another east side gem in the restaurant world. Since opening the doors of its light gray block exterior with purple awnings on a lovely modern Swiss chalet- like free-standing building just west of Van Dyke on 14 Mile, Andiamo is happily smelling the roses of desired outcome with much favor. Even more so, too, since Aldo Ottoviani, former owner of Aldo's on Seven Mile and Kelly, came last November to help owner Joe Vicari and re- mained on board as its ex- ecutive chef to once again have folks enjoy his legendary Italian recipes. Andiamo Italia on 14 Mile is the only place the 70-year- old Aldo plies the very talented trade that has won him many accolades through- out the years . . . He is definitely at no other place and his coming out of an almost three-year retirement was indeed a stroke of good luck for Andiamo. This is a comfortable, in- timate and well-coordinated restaurant, seating 165 on two levels of padded booths with mauve cloth and tables whose padded chair seats are colored in the same pattern . . . Atop the tables are fresh white linens covered by another white linen triangle as white linen napkins con- tinue the flow of brightness . . . Also an area with accom- modations from 35 to 100 for private affairs. Light gray walls are throughout in the contem- . porary decor displaying a lot of gleaming marble . . . Even the green plants are fresh, cared for with the profes- sional touch of a company hired by Joe . . . There are few things more attractive to a diner than a refreshing look, whether it be the waitperson or the restaurant itself . . . Glass dividers between the booths, recessed lighting, hanging booth lamps, etc. help make up a delightful atmosphere. But Andiamo is much more than just a pretty face . . . Joe is a stickler on personal ser- vice and this is a big thing at the ristorante . . . Most of his employees have been there since day one and enjoy work- ing for someone who is fair — and knowledgeable . . . serv- ing food prepared by Aldo and the kitchen staff trained by him doesn't hurt either . . . A big trait is having someone like Aldo who can prepare whatever dish people want if the ingredients are available. One of the employees, head day waitress Fran Kukulka with the cute dimple on the right side of her face, is an ex- ample of the courteous effi- ciency at Andiamo . . . plea- sant and most personable . . . And the reasonable prices certainly take away whatever "ripoff" stigma people may have received elsewhere. Local personalities and noted celebrities like the warmth of Andiamo Italia Ristorante with its very plea- sant atmosphere of subtle gray, mauve and pink color- ings amid the granite block walls. People look twice at what they think is someone sitting at the computer piano atop a small stage . . . But no matter how many times they stare, the figure still won't move . . . it's a mannequin dressed in a tux seemingly playing the rhythmic piano background music that wafts lightly over the delightful surroundings. The new menu at Andiamo brings back many of Aldo Ot- to-viani's favorite dishes . . . This is a big plus . . . and those who remember Aldo's of yesteryears will no doubt re- joice in the thrill of once again being able to enjoy them. It is nice to tell the length of time it took us from 12 Mile and Northwestern via 1-696 because this expressway has done so much to tie east and west together . . . only 20 minutes . . . and we unders- tand from some regular customers, the time is even shorter for folks who live near 16 Mile and take that straight across. Andiamo is an east side Italian favorite . . . Aldo and Joe make it a true classic. HE WALKED into Morels Restaurant still wondering why wife Roz had him put on a new white shirt and tie . . . After all, Dr. Lou Hayes was just going to a Sunday brunch with his brother Dave, in from Calgary, Alberta. And look at those people standing on the other side . . . "I know some of them," said Lou . . . Suddenly as he got closer, almost 130 people blurted out in song, "For he's a jolly good fellow" . . . and Lou was stunned . . . ab- solutely shocked into a state of bewilderment as tears began to well in his eyes. Dr. Lou Hayes isn't some- body you can easily put very much over on, but wife Roz certainly did a number on the man she loves so much with a retirement surprise party that still has him scratching his head in wonderment how she did it. Such a beautiful sight as they held hands while Cantor Harold Orbach sang a bless- ing for them . . . after telling a few slightly-aged but good laugh-getting jokes . . . Lou retires from medical practice Dec. 31 and no doubt will devote much time to his ex- cellent development of a gynecology sheath to cover a medical instrument. It's Roz's retirement, too, since she has worked with Lou before they were married An Italian master helps an east side restaurant blossom. in 1977 and as his wife . . . Congrats to Gail and Harold Provizer on their fourth an- niversary, celebrating where they met by returning to Ca- nyon Ranch health farm in Arizona. As folks entered the dining room, a caricature of Lou in cowboy garb and the heading "Cowboy Hayes" was on a board for guests to sign . . . Roz has been calling him that 31 years . . . Lou being from the western part of Calgary where the cowguys roam. The brunch prepared by super catering gal Donna Rosen was also supposed to be sort of a get-together for the birthdays of brother Ben, 69, and Phil, 65 . . . Dave's 62nd was a week before . . . Ben and Phil came here from Toronto . . . "Our name was Hayes, but we changed it to Horodezky," said Phil. Decorations were clever . . . names of guests and their table number on tongue depressors with cotton swab attached to them . . . plastic bedpans from which balloons soared, one being a doctor well-dressed in official medic garb. Jack Masser emceed festivi- ties with joy . . . He and wife Pattie are next-door neighbors of Roz and Lou . . . and did themselves proud by not giving even an inkling