I
Who's Who In Michigan C uLs ine TM
MAN MEL
ONE NAME...TWO GREAT RESTAURANTS
Madonna, Cher, Sting, Prince...each are extremely talented celebrities and each are
instantly recognized by only one name. We can add another living legend to the list.
Someone who is also known by just one name...Manuel. What? You don't recognize
the name? Then you have not had the pleasure of visiting his popular Southfield
restaurant, Ristorante DiModesta, or his namesake eatery in West Bloomfield,
Manuel's. On the other hand, if you have been one of the many who have dined at
either location, you probably met, and will not soon forget, Manuel.
"When someone comes into either of my restaurants, they come into my
home. I don't invite just anyone into my home — I invite friends.
Everyone that comes in here is my friend. And if they weren't when
they walked in, they will be by the time they leave", Manuel
proudly states. We can certainly attest to Manuel's magnetism.
While recently dining at Ristorante DiModesta, we saw at least
several persons greeted with a big hug, perhaps twenty ladies got
or gave kisses to the cheek, and almost everyone got the warmest
handshake and personal wel-
come we've seen in years...at
any restaurant. And guess what,
in talking to other diners, we
asked what drew them to
Manuel's restaurants. Every de-
scription included the words,
"Manuel is my friend." And not
surprisingly, each also corn -
mented, "The cuisine and atmosphere are
magnificent."
RISTORANTE
DI MODESTA
Manuel is also a perfectionist. He has been for years. You may
recall him at the London Chop House or maybe as the General Manager
at Duglass Duglass, both of which were legends in their own right. If
Manuel is trying to create another legend, he is certainly on his way...twice
over.
"I've always dreamed of owning a restaurant, such as of the caliber of
those that I've worked for in the past." Manuel's first dream came true
in 1985 with the opening of Ristorante DiModesta, 29410 Northwestern
Hwy. in Southfield. Manuel originally opted for an Italian restaurant, but
realized that "Ristorante DiManuel" (the original name of intent) did not
depict the Italian theme he sought. At the time, Modesta, Manuel's
former wife's name was certainly more Italian than his own, and so came
the birth of not only the name, but a legend. This restaurant was sprinkled
with the glamour of New York, the warmth of Manuel's personality and
some of the finest Italian cuisine ever created.
Success for this restaurant, however, did not come as easily as the
dream. "When I opened Ristorante DiModesta, I still didn't have a liquor
license. People used to bring in their own wine". Then disaster struck
in 1988. A devastating fire burned his restaurant to the ground, but not his spirit. "My vision wasn't
scorched in the fire. I rebuilt and opened the restaurant eight months later, this time with my liquor
license. It was like nothing changed. All my friends were back immediately!"
And we found out they're still coming. Practically every night the restaurant is packed. Sure, a lot
of it has to do with Manuel, but a lot of credit certainly has to be given to his head chef Hamad Jouka.
After serving as head chef for 9 years in a restaurant in Florence, Italy, Hamad came to New York
as head chef of the very upscale Castalano's. A chance meeting between Manuel and Hamad
formed what is undoubtedly a great team. "I told him when I hired him ," Manuel states, "that I'll get
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the clients to the restaurant, but it's your job to bring them back." And they have been
coming back ever since - regularly.
Manuel, who is of Mexican descent, realized one of his dreams and decided to bring
to life another. Manuel's, appropriately named, opened in December, 1990. This
hot-spot, located at 4301 Orchard Lake Rd. in West Bloomfield, also became an
overnight success. "We specialize in true, authentic, upscale Mexican cuisine."
There are hundreds of Mexican restaurants scattered throughout the Metropolitan
Detroit area, but this is not like any we've seen. Most Mexican restaurants
serve what is called "Tex-Mex", which is a combination of Texan/
Mexican food. But if you go to some of the finest, upscale restaurants
in Mexico, you'll find the culinary delights that Manuel's specializes
in.
Manuel's cuisine and decor could, and probably should, appear
right from the pages of Bon Appetit Magazine. This trendy res-
taurant is decorated with
Aztec-style sculptures and
fresco's and glitzed with a
touch of neon. This may well
be the "Aztec Gold" that ex-
plorers have sought for
years. This gold mine is filled
with a wide variety of explor-
ers too. "Manuel's is truly
unique. We serve a lot of families during the 'dinner
hour , and at about 9:00 p.m. they seem to disappear and
we're packed with singles. Maybe it's the music." It's more
than just the music, the well-mixed combination of atmosphere and
unique cuisine make this place very popular with those that know
where the fun is. It is not uncommon to enjoy mariachi bands on some
nights and top 40 on others.
t
Even though one wouldn't think there are similarities between an
Italian restaurant (Ristorante DiModesta) and a Mexican restaurant
(Manuel's), we are here to tell you there is a great resemblance. The
reason is Manuel and the staff of managers, wait persons, bartenders,
chefs, even bus boys that he employs. "They are my family", Manuel
says like a proud father. Both places are clearly operated by people
who feel the same way — the service and presentation is superb.
So move over Madonna, Cher, Sting, and Prince. Another famous
name synonymous with rare talent has joined the ranks of legendary
one-namers...and his name is Manuel. Oh yeah, this guy has a last
name and he will be happy to tell you what it is if you really want to know.
But then, you don't call your friends by their last names, do you?
CONGRATULATIONS
DANNY RASKIN
AND
THE JEWISH NEWS
For 50 Years of Journalism Excellence
On Behalf of Ristorante di Modesta and Manuel's Restaurant.
Warmest Regards. Your Friend,
Manuel
Ristorante DiModesta
Manuel's
29410 Northwestern Highway - Southfield, MI 48034
4301 Orchard Lake Rd. - West Bloomfield, MI 48323
(313) 358-0344
(313) 737-0300
THE JEWISH NEWS COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE