ST. PATRICK'S DAY CELEBRATION WED., MARCH 17, 11 a.m. to 12 Mid. : FEATURING: GAELIC SPECIALTIES AND ENTERTAINMENT Archives' Annual Lundi Gras May Have Found A Home Wonderfully Prepared Catering In Your Home , Office or at Our Restaurant DANNY RASKIN LOCAL COLUMNIST s One of Metropolitan Detroit's Most Beautiful and Exciting Restaurants Fine Dining and Live Entertainment TUES. THRU SAT. EVERY MONDAY NIGHT SUZI MARSH LARRY AND NOZERO DAN WARREN QUINTET For Your Listening and Dancing Pleasure 28875 FRANKLIN RD. at Northwestern Hwy. & 12 Mile 358.3355 Southfield LIVE OPERA Featuring...THE ENRICO CARUSO SOCIETY EVERY WEDNESDAY EVENING 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Enjoy Excellent Italian Cuisine and Listen To Arias and Duets From The Most Beautiful Operas Ever Written 00 DINNER FOR II 2 1 • Full Dinners Only 0 • Expires 3-18-93 1 j FINE DINING AND COCKTAILS' HOMEMADE PASTA AT ITS BEST 31735 Plymouth Road Merriman 261-2430 Angelis Anastasiou 3 Blocks West of Livonia For Reservations, Call Owner and Operator of DIMITRI'S OF FARMINGTON Invites You To His AMERICAN IN FAMILY 15800 Ifiddlebelt Between 6 and 6 Mile • Livonia • 522-5800 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Featuring A COMPLETE MENU OF HOMEMADE Dishes •SEAFOOD • GREEK FAVORITES • SALADS • PASTAS •CHICKEN • STEAKS & CHOPS • CHILDREN'S MENU •HEALTH SPECIALITIES • HOMEMADE PASTRIES • DESSERTS DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS DAILY DINNER SPECIALS From $5.95 - $8.95 From $3.25 - $4.95 Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Fri. 11 a,m,-12 Mid. Sat. 12 noon 12 Mid., Sun. 12 noon-10 p.m. - 10% SENIOR CITIZENS DISCOUNT imp Cos:c:r1 L — P•'" kolscv°1 Also loin Us at rimitzi's of Farmington 33200 sand bet, I bi, E, of Farmington Rd, ome things just nat- urally seem to go to- gether . . . and that's how it appeared to be for Archives of American Art's annual Lundi Gras at Excalibur Restaurant. After so many years celebrating this gala occasion at London Chop House and varied spots, Excalibur, on Franklin and Northwestern Highway, looks like it will be "home" for future festive events by this excellent organization. Except for Hy Vogel's car- toons of famous people, and the downstairs New Yorky at- mosphere, although Ex- calibur has a bit of the Big Apple look too, a strange resemblance was there that prompted some of the 100 at- tendees to wince a bit at the almost look-alike. Even George Seille was there . . . one of the waiters when Archives of American Art, founded in Detroit in 1954, had its first Lundi Gras at the famed London Chop House in 1961 at downtown Detroit's Murphy Building . . . George is a waiter three evenings a week now at the "Ex" and showed pictures of him with others from that first event. Lundi Gras is held on Mon- day prior to Mardi Gras in New Orleans and the 33rd an- nual occasion doffed its hat to the talented artists who have gifted so many with their humor in American art .. . displaying indirect ways of recording American history, humor, character and the always-shifting social scene. Robert Mounsey of Jacob- son's, who has donated his talents to many Archives galas, was responsible for the decorations that adorned Ex- calibur for the event . . . Zebra-striped tablecloths were ribboned together under the top as beautiful center- pieces contained fresh tulips, colored arched tubing and large transparent balloons that almost reached the ceiling. The walls and mirrors were graciously adorned with enlarged prints of humorous art, and all waitpersons and buspeople wore overly large, colorful bowties. Each year, the Archives' Lundi Gras has a different theme . . . and never runs out of ideas for its black tie gala . . . Even Minnie and Mickey Mouse were there greeting people during the sumptuous cocktail hour. Patrick Dunn, Excalibur's fine executive chef, presented a menu that was befitting for such a prestigious group .. . The gourmet offerings includ- ed seven passed hors d'oeuvres that were sheer culinary works of art . . . sit- down dinner of seafood mar- tini appetizer, roast red pep- per consomme with smoked chicken ravioli, sorbet of cranberry ice with campari soda on a frozen lime, an en- tree trio of filet mignon, duck breast and lobster savarin, spinach salad with sherry vinaigrette, three cheeses and splendid, yummy desserts. Four select wines chosen by general manager and evening sommelier Victor Dazbaz ac- companied the elegant feast. We were privileged to sit with Lilli and Harold Camden and Jeanne and Dr. David Penney . . . It had only been three weeks since Lilli fell in a doctor's office a day before going with Howard on an Arizona vacation . . . She broke her ankle and tore a ligament but was in a walk- ing cast for the Lundi Gras. While others danced to music of the Larry Nozero Quartet, and Suzi Marsh and Dan Warren, Lilli enjoyed watching . . . but laughed with Howard at the antics of comedian impressionist Joey Vann with his many voices, backed by the Bill Miejers Trio. Toby and Alex Etkin are rightly proud of their sons, Bruce and Doug, and make no bones about it . . . Not to be outdone by the Lundi Gras men, Toby also came in a tux- edo . . . Gloria Leader pro- bably told her husband, David, how great he was for giving such a short welcome speech . . . and that she won't beat him on the golf course . . . David is president of Ar- chives of American Art .. . Dotti and Richard Doerer, who co-chaired the event with Dr. Robert and Marilyn Sil- ver, cordial welcomers; Robert and Millie Pastor, Dorothy Dunitz, Tom Schoenith, Jerry and Carolyn Ash, Jean and Manny Sulkes. Herman and Pauline Can- ner love to dance and it show- ed as they glided smilingly across the floor . . . Rosemary and Jim Bannon a sweet lov- ing couple . . . She may be small, but Rosemary packs a whopping amount of talent as an Archives driving force .. . Lorraine and Dr. Arthur Schultz, Joan and Joe "Mr. Joe's" Machiorlatti, a Kenny Rogers took-alike; Peter Levin, who says his middle name is Raskin; Jean and Howard Dubin, Sue and Ansel Aberly. Excalibur owner Marty Wilk noted that it was 15 years ago to the date, March 22, that the late Pat Archer opened the restaurant that has received much note .. . The evening was sort of like a double celebration for him. One of the three main booth occupants explained, "I always did wonder what it would be like to sit in those famous London Chop House booths." Each guest was given a large signed print of the original subtle-humor draw- Excalibur hosted the posh 33rd annual event. ing on its invitation by Richard Guindon. Archives of American Art has been a division of the Smithsonian Institutions since 1970 and is the world's largest collector of art items pertaining to - United States art and cultural history. The 33rd annual Lundi Gras can also be added to its collection of yearly social triumphs. A GOURMET TASTE adventure is in store for at- tendees of the ninth annual Cuisine Extraordinaire, March 14, 6-10 p.m. at Dear- born Inn by Children's Hospital of Michigan Aux- iliary . . . Dearborn Inn's Grand Ballroom will be turn- ed into a global wonderland conforming to this year's whimsical international theme, "It's a Small, Small World" . . . There'll also be silent and live auctions .. . Proceeds of Cuisine Extraor- dinare, with chefs from many Detroit area restaurants, will benefit the Auxiliary's com- mitment to the neonatal in-