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Andiamo Novi, a multi-dimension venue.

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W

ith the opening this year of his 10th
ation at Andiamo Italia Banquet Center Showroom
restaurant, Joe Vicari has taken his
in Warren, but now an operation like Andiamo •
Andiamo chain into still another new
Novi that may be a first of its kind "stay put" con-
dimension ... It has been previously noted for its
cept to receive such immediate acclaim.
excellent Italian food and the bringing of top-
Imagine superlative dining at lunch and dinner,
name entertainment to Joe's Andiamo Banquet
enjoying fun musical entertainment ... relaxing
Center showroom in Warren.
with a choice cocktail on a comfortable settee while
His Andiamo Novi, opened on Grand River
soft music wafts about ... sitting on bar stools amid
between Meadowbrook and Novi Road, is some-
laughing hustle-and-bustle activity, perhaps seeing
thing Joe has yearned for a long time ... where
one of America's best comedy shows, plus availabil-
Danny Raskin
people can stay for a full evening of food and fun.
ity of an after-theater appetizer menu for those
Senior C olumnist who don't want a full dinner ... all under the same
The new Andiamo Novi, operated by knowl-
edgeable and personable managing partner Dan
roof.
Linner, is a triple-threat venue that encompasses a
This time, Joe Vicari's dream concept may be
person's total enjoyment ... There's the fine Andiamo dining
more than he ever expected ... and easily among his best yet.
menu, even more improved with its kitchen headed by
TWO NEW DELICATESSENS opened their doors this
Executive Chef Lee Sharkas, whose cooking prowess formerly week ... Both by good friends and on opposite ends of the
at Andiamo West in Bloomfield Township gave it much high
Northwest area ... Stan Snitz has "out-smalled" the once-pop-
note ... In Novi, one of Lee's new specials is the Australian
ular Onion Roll Deli with his Stan's Deli on east side of
Barramundi freshwater fish which some upscale restaurants
Woodward, a block south of 14 Mile, Royal Oak ... Ron
around the country are now featuring.
Forman's Ron's Bagel Deli seats 50 on 14 Mile, east of M-5,
Also the elegant Dirty Martini lounge ... And under the
Novi ... Both will also have heavy concentration on carryout
same roof, one of the nation's finest comedy presentations,
and tray catering.
Second City, formerly of Detroit, but now a Joe Vicari exclu-
COMFORT FOOD buffet by Elite Kosher Catering is
sive in Michigan.
Sunday, Dec. 18, 5-7 p.m. at Congregation B'nai Moshe, Drake
With the new multi-stop scene at Andiamo Novi, it is easy
south of Maple, West Bloomfield ...Adults $21.20, children 4-
to see why this one has become one of the major "in" places
11, $15.90, 3 and younger free.
for guys and gals of all ages.
FOURTH POPULAR Israel Night by Yossi's Israeli Cuisine,
The Andiamo Novi dining rooms seat 250 in rich colors
north side of Robin's Nest, Orchard Lake Road off Northwest-
that include Andiamo's signature purple and sunflower yel-
ern and 14 Mile, in West Bloomfield is Saturday, Dec. 17, at 7
low, but in a more contemporary way than in other Joe Vicari
p.m.
designs by Ron Rhea.
COLDER WEATHER brings smiles to a lot of restaurateurs
Its restaurant bar and dining rooms are laid out so as to
who don't have to buck their biggest warm-weather competi-
permit maximum flexibility in accommodating varied-sized
tion ... Home barbecuing.
parties, private functions and live entertainment like the
WHAT WOULD A $5,000 gift basket contain? ... Ron
Simone Vitale band, which appears in the restaurant's bar
Asmar, owner of Vineyards in Farmington Hills, has put up a
area on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, along with other
couple for a local gent ... Heavy wicker baskets, 2 x 2 feet
live musical entertainment on Friday and Saturday.
wide, 3 x 6 feet long and three feet high, with more than 300
In the dining area, booths can be moved as needed, allow-
items in each basket, including 24 bottles of wine, some in
ing the bar to open up into the dining room ... Purple glass
elegant designer tubes, caviar, truffles, etc.... But he's got 'ern
partition fixtures separating the bar from the dining room are from $20, too, at Vineyards, which expects its Nibbles & Nuts
kept low enough to permit continuous views throughout the
to put out about 15,000 Chanukah and Christmas baskets this
restaurant ... Other glass panels of blue, chocolate, cabernet
year.
and lime green define the room. .
ERRATA, TYPO, ETC. Dept.... Those Ms. Jill's Cookies are
Seating in the elegant Dirty Martini full bar is 150, open
three-quarter pound ... not one pound.
Wednesday-Saturday, 6 p.m-.-2 a.m.; Sunday 6-10.... The
CONGRATS ... To Paula Duke, Harvey Heller, Carole Myrick
restaurant at Andiamo Novi is open Monday-Thursday, 11-11; and Barbara Cohen, on their birthdays.
Friday, 11-midnight; Saturday, 4-midnight; Sunday, 3-10.
BEING MAYOR of Oak Park for the past 14 years, re-elect-
Michigan rights to Second City had previously been owned
ed head guy Jerry Naftaly, has had big shoes to follow ... Joe
by Mike Ilitch ... At Andiamo Novi, seating is about 200 in its
Forbes, Dave Shepherd, and Charlotte Rothstein, all outstand-
own cabaret-style theater spot upstairs, providing improvisa-
ing folks ... Oak Park is celebrating its 60th anniversary and
tional theater comedy that has produced many stars of yester- Jerry's mayoral terms plus 14 more years on O.P.'s council,
day and today ... Cocktails and snacks are served throughout
have seen much progress ... A lot of memories, too, but the
the show, presented Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday at 8
ones he remembers most are the 190 marriages that Jerry has
p.m.; Friday, 8 and 10; Saturday, 7, 9 and 11. •
performed where many of the couples call every year to
When. Joe Vicari opened his first Andiamo restaurant 15
thank him ... 190 marriages but never a groom ... Jerry is
years ago, the feeling was that even bigger things were on the
still single. ❑
way ... His growing empire of already 10 restaurants, has not
only brought the highly accepted "name" entertainment oper- Danny's e-mail address is dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net

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December 15 2005

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