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The Best Of Everything

Meyerson family had been serving for
over -four decades.
The Great Oyster was a place to enjoy
a cornucopia of seafood delights and
snacks ... fresh oysters and clams, sauteed
seafood, stuffed mushrooms, clam chow-
der, a soup selection and other favorites
... without ordering a O. meal.
It was perfect for a light lunch and ideal
Each of the brothers had his
he new and now per-
for
after-theater or for stopping in after a
own ideas about what form the
manent home of the
tough
day and beating the rush-hour
new restaurant operation
Jewish News is large,
blues
...
The bandstand came alive each
should
take
...
They
agreed,
attractive and
night
with
fine musical entertainment ...
however,
that
they
wanted
to
bustling ... Yet somewhat a bit
and
there
was
dancing for those who pre-
create something which would
eerie.
ferred
...
Seating
was for around 110.
become a landmark ... a dining
This is the same building ...
The
Brown
Bear
was so cozy and
facility unique to Michigan,
though face-changed ... located
warm
that
its
atmosphere
enfolded folks
which out-of-towners would
at 29200 Northwestern
DANNY
like
a
big-cuddly
teddy
bear
... Thick,
visit when in the area.
Highway, between 12 Mile and
RASKIN
brown
carpeting,
bronze
mirrors
and
Jerry,
Arlyn
and
Aubrey
Inkster in Southfield, that at
Local Columnist wanted their new attractive
felt-covered
walls
done
in
a
blend
of
one time housed the three
browns and beiges made this one of the
setup to become as closely
restaurants making up the Trio
showcase dining facilities in the country
identified with Detroit as the French
... opened in the early 1970s by Scotch
... Seating was for about 140 with semi-
Quarter was to New Orleans or
& Sirloin owners Jerry, Arlyn and
enclosed,
teak-paneled booths and pri-
Anthony's Pier to Boston.
Aubrey Meyerson.
vate
tables.
Trio at Franklin was designed from
It is remembered as a free-standing
Its menu featured those entrees which
the ground up with this basic premise ...
edifice ... with a few offices on the first
the
Meyersons had mastered during
to
create
a
dining
institution
which
floor ... I recall entering a huge, mau-
their
four decades as restaurateurs ... As a
would build a national reputation for
soleum-like lobby, which many people
dining
institution unique to the
excellence and a character unique to
said was a tremendous waste of space ...
Midwest,
the Brown Bear, as often as
Detroit and Michigan.
and going up a couple of steps or ramp
possible,
offered
items which were pro-
From there, the decision was made to
to the Great Oyster Bar on the left ...
duced
right
here
...
like seafood from the
offer
three
distinct
dining
facilities
...
the Brown Bear just past it ... and
Great
Lakes
and
Michigan
cherries,
each
with
its
own
personality
and
cuisine
Buddy's Barbecue on the right.
mushrooms
and
fruit
and
vegetables
in
...
and
combine
them
under
one
roof.
That exalted first floor ... with glass
season
...
The
dinner
menu
changed
And so came ... the Great Oyster ...
block and solid brick walls ... is where
each week and the luncheon menu
an upbeat bar and lounge with live
the large staff of the Jewish News now
music, usually by a trio or quartet, and changed daily.
calls home ... along with toilers of two
In Buddy's Barbecue at Trio there was
light seafood entrees ... the Brown
related operations ... Style magazine and
a
cordial
and informal ambiance reminis-
Bear
...
offering
complete
dinners
that
the Web site Jewish.com ... Also head-
cent
of
the
original Buddy's Log Cabin
featured
regular.and
gourmet
entrees
quartered there is the parent company of
Barbecue,
which
became a famous Detroit
in an intimate and comfortable dining
the three, Jewish Renaissance Media.
landmark
on
12th
and Clairmount ... The
room ... and Buddy's Barbecue ... with
After the Meyerson boys bought six
same
barbecuing
techniques,
secret family
all the favorite barbecue delights and
acres of prime property at the corner of
recipes
and
sauces
that
made
the original
Northwestern and Franklin, in the hub of secret recipes
so
popular
were
used
at
the
new
Buddy's
that the
four communities ... Southfield, Franklin
... prepared in a glass-encased, red-tiled
Village, Farmington Hills and West
barbecuing area ... The intimate and
Bloomfield ... the Trio was born.
upbeat interior sat about 180 amid indi-
vidual, vaulted, drop ceilings that were
suspended over rich oak-paneled booths ...
These were highlighted against a backdrop
of lightly-colored graphics ... It was a
traditional Meyerson barbecue in a

New 'Trio' Debuts

The Jewish News and its two sister media enterprises
take over the former Trio restaurant space.

TONY DANZA

One of America's most popular performers. A star
of television (Taxi, Who's the Boss, Family Law),
stage (The Iceman Cometh), and movies (Angels
in the Outfield) Danza wows audiences and critics
with his song and dance stage show.

ELVIS TO THE MAX

25 Years ago Elvis left the building. Now he returns,
or so you will think, to play for you at Andiamo. It's
Elvis to the Max with Max Pellicano, his Las Vegas
Dancers and special guest comedian Paul Locrichio.
Come sing along with all of your favorite Elvis hits.

HOWIE MANDEL

A star everywhere you look: television, film
and the stage, comedian Howie Mandel has
been entertaining audiences for years. Come
laugh the night away with Howie ; one of today's
most successful comedians.

GLADYS KNIGHT

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, living
Motown legend Gladys Knight performs all her
Grammy winning hits including "Midnight Train
to Georgia" and "Neither One of Us (Wants to
be the Fist to Say Goodbye)"". Come see Gladys
Knight in a rare Detroit appearance.

0

ITALIA

Tickets ft Information

(586) 268 3200

-

andiamoitalia.com

2/ 7

2003

80

East 14 Mile Road. West of Van Dyke.
Warren, Michigan

,

1..

The location on Northwestern at Franklin of the former Trio restaurants, as it looks today