Afresh Approach To Pasta!

MARCH 14TH through APRIL 22ND

of the kitchen. Very few people knew
that the long bar was constructed
from an old bowling alley. The tables
and chairs were reminiscent of what
could be found at a high-end VFW
hall. The checkered, red tablecloths
that covered them were . . . well .. .
checkered red tablecloths. The artwork
that graced the walls ranged from very
interesting to very tacky — such as
the mammoth nude reclining against a
scarlet background. Illuminating the
entire dining room, this painting hung
shamelessly from the center and most
visible wall.
"'But real artwork was displayed
throughout the restaurant by the very
talented artist, Hy Vogel. Hy's charac-
ters and portraits depicted many of
the famous people and customers who
made the Chop House their home.
"'The Chop House offered other
delights. In the men's room, a cus-
tomer could buy his lover a fresh gar-
denia that would often absorb other
aromas. At the front desk, a selection
of unique, large and very expensive
stuffed animals could be purchased.
However, they could rarely be stuffed
into a car.
"The London Chop House was a
true original: its absurdities were as
endless as the genius that inspired its
existence. Everything just worked and
fit together like a piece of art. The
place was pure magic.
"'Owners Lester and Sam Gruber
started their first restaurant enterprise
in 1936. It was called the Den of the
Forty Thieves. During this period, the
clientele was largely avant-garde, corn-
prised of cutting-edge artists and writ-
ers of the day. During the 1940s,
Lester and Sam opened a new restau-
rant in the Murphy Building called
the London Bar. A few years later, the
London Bar became the London
Chop House and a new era in Detroit
was born.
"'Through the years, the restaurant
went through several incarnations.
although the essence of the Chop
House only grew stronger. Like the
world's finest wines that lived and
aged in the cellar on its premises, the
true vintage years of the London
Chop House, I was told, began in the
mid-50s. Its full bouquet, however,
was not realized until the mid-70s
when, luckily, I first began working
there with my band.
"'Dad,' Jason cut in. `Tell us about
the famous people who would come
into the London Chop House.'
"'It would take the rest of your
spring break to name them all,' I
responded, but to encapsulate, — They

ave long enjoyed a reputation

as the leader in providin

48 freshest fish and

seafoo

n't know is

er a vat

y great

Each and every one

m scratch, using only the

finest and freshest ingredients like

pastas with fresh fish, seafood,

tender poultry, fine aged cheeses

and slow simmered homemade

sauces. We encourage you to j o in

us for A fresh proach To Pasta

CHUCK MUER'S

SEAFOOD

TAV E N

ea. -1 y-N 4. JJ-1.1

5656 W. Maple, West Bloomfield

700 Town Center Dr., Dearborn

248.851.2251

1111 W. 14 Mile Bd., Madison Heights

313.336.6350

248-585.9533

.

MENWETHERS

UEMOMMCM=

25485 Telegraph Rd., Southfield

248.358.1310

3/24

2000

97