you could sit on it, as many did. Fine
musicians like newcomer Earl Klugh,
sitting on a stool fingering fantastic
acoustical guitar, were drowned out
the four-deep bar denizens. Klugh has
since become nationally known.
"At the entrance to the Top was
another Chuck Muer creation, the
Brass Lady, a full-sized female bronze
of venus-like proportions, whose navel
was probed affectionately by patrons
as a good luck charm.
"Of course, Chuck had a drink cre-
ated in her honor, the Brass Lady.
"Then there was the Salamandre Bar
on the first floor of the Pontch,
presided over for 20 years or more by
pianist Ernie Swan, Detroit's answer to
Manhattan's Bobby Short.
"On walking into any of Chuck
Muer's fine seafood restaurants, one
was hit by the trademark aroma of
garlic, olive oil and fresh seafood. A
fishy smell? No way. Truly fresh fish
has only the aroma of the seashore and
sea breeze, as Chuck used to say.
"In all, C.A. Muer Corporation hl.d
as many as 32 restaurants at one time.
Now they number 20.
"Chuck Muer also built restaura-
teurs. One of his proteges, Bill Kruse,
operates several restaurants in
Rochester. Another, Craig Dilworth,
owns the Ocean Grille in
Birmingham. And another Chuck,
"Rocky" Rachwitz, has Rocky's in
Northville and Steve and Rocky's in
Novi and Brighton with Steve Allen.
"When we crossed the causeway in
Florida onto Palm Beach one day, with
stately palms lining Royal Poinciana
Way, Chuck breathed deeply, smiling,
and said, living it Florida will add
10 years to your life.'
"Unfortunately, sailing off Florida
ended his. He and his wife, Betty, and
two longtime friends were sailing back
from the Bahamas one night and were
caught in a sudden storm of unexpect-
ed ferocity. They went down just a f.vv
miles off Jupiter, Fla., where Chuck
had a meeting scheduled the next
morning. Neither they, nor the boat,
were ever found.
"Storm warnings had advised boats
to stay in port at the Bahamas, but
Chuck was confident he could make it
with flying colors, as he usually did.
This was one of the rare times he did-
n't.
"His life was cut short at age 54, but
in many ways Chuck Muer lived many
more years than most of us who might
live to 100.
"In today's parlance, people might
ask, 'Did he dance - You bet he
danced!" El

1..a1ke Vittage

4A89 Oroatd1.-akke ?toad
Ciro'''``

at Pontiac "TraA
86-0000
k24B)
fax: k2.413) B65-0020

Enjoy our Middle Eastern catering for all your specia

Customized cateting menu created by you also available.
Ask about our on and off premises catering.

Private room for
up to 100 people

Our third location coming this year will be at Mid-Field Terminal of Metropolitan Airport

7/27

2001

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