Not to imply, though, that Vannelli's
didn't list Italian dishes aplenty ...
mostaccioli, spaghetti, ravioli, fettuc-
cine and chicken scaloppini were also
big sellers.
The three Vannelli brothers all came
from the north of Italy, where the
natives were tall and frequently blonde
... Not so with Sam, Joe and Al ...
they weren't tall and they weren't
blonde ... In fact, Sam Vannelli didn't
have much hair at all.
As a chef, Dante is noted for his
origination of Veal Morengo ... a
blended love affair of veal and shrimp
bonded together in a vermouth sauce
... and Veal Dante, sauteed slices in
garlic butter placed over fresh slices of
tomatoes and baked au gratin ... Both
dishes are either veal or chicken prepa-
rations and authentically prepared as
per the traditional style of Italian
cooking.
He had been chef at various restau-
rants in the Detroit metropolitan area
before opening Gus' Steak House in
Lake Orion in 1973 ... changing the
name to Gus' Vannelli's in 1980 ...
and selling in 1998 ... Dante moved to
Florida to retire but got bored ... and
met La Villa owner, Don Tocco
who lured him out of retirement ...
and into a happy new beginning again
... as his executive chef.
Specials also originated by Dante
include the delicious halibut stuffed
with crabmeat and shrimp and served
in a champagne dill sauce ... and the
smoked salmon stuffed ravioli mousse
with a pepper butter sauce.
The very tasty-crab cakes at La Villa
are made with pure crabmeat ... no imi-
tation ... and that flavorsome Rosemary
barbecue sauce on the roasted half
chicken is Dante's own concoction.
La Villa opened its doors in June,
1999 ... with seating for 100 in the
main dining room ... and another 14
in its Capone Room ... Seating at the
bar is with eight stools plus three
island tables each with two high
stools.
In the main room are three statues
imbedded into the stone pillars ... that
come from the old Grand Circus
Theater ... The statues are made of
horsehair and plaster and are a strik-
ingly novel remembrance attraction
from a bit of Detroit history.
It is open Monday through
Thursday 4-10 p.m.; Friday and
Saturday, 4-11 ... and Sunday, 4-9.
Goers to DTE Energy Music
Theatre (formerly Pine Knob) are
thrilled to have La Villa en route to
the shows there ... The Italian restau-
rant is just minutes away ... It is also

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