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Crossroads Of Commerce

Diners from near and far make Commerce Grille a big hit.

W

hen a restaurant
achieves instant
popularity, the neigh-
borhood is excited about having
the eatery in its locale.
And when that neighborhood
restaurant also becomes a favor-
ite destination spot, exuberance
is even higher ... Since open-
ing, Commerce Grille, Union
Lake Road, between Commerce
and Willow in the Upton Plaza,
Commerce Township, has been
receiving rave notices from people
visiting it from many parts of the
region ... near and distant.
This is the first anniversary of
Commerce Grille, and in that year,
the restaurant has seen almost
75,000 people come through its
doors ... Many of whom instantly
became regulars after a first "look-
see" visit.
In owning a restaurant,
experience is many times more
important in making a first-time
possession so much easier ... And
wanting a restaurant like the kind
one may enjoy dining at as well
as owning, are two very separate
ballgames.
However, every so often that
rare breed comes along without
this experience ... but with the
uncanny ability sometimes lack-
ing even with owners whose
knowledge gives them a head
start.
Although not a sure thing ...
Nothing is ... Ability is a major

the succulent delights
step in restaurant owner-
skinned before being
ship ... This was again
served ... In the
proven a year ago when
first year, over 6,000
Diane Walsh opened the
pounds have been
doors of Commerce Grille.
featured on many
She had been a nitery
plates ... Also more
ballroom dancer, owner
than 1,200 pounds of
of her own dance studio
Dover sole, deboned
and a Las Vegas casino
Danny Raskin
tableside, over 4,500
... So was not without
Senior Columnist
pounds of whitefish,
ownership know-how
more than 4,000 pounds of ahi
... Owning a business other
tuna, over 5,000 pounds of choice
than a restaurant may have some
similarities but can be as different tenderloin, etc.
Nothing is perfect
as peanut butter and jelly, even
Commerce Grille might have some
though they, too, go together.
flaws somewhere ... All restau-
When opening Commerce
Grille, Diane knew what she want- rants do, and don't let anyone say
otherwise ... The perfect restau-
ed and, by gosh, was hell-bent not
rant has never been opened and
to deviate one iota from a master
never will be.
plan burned into her mind ...
Owning a restaurant is not easy
As a result, Commerce Grille has
... But there is no substitute for
prOven no fluke ... It developed
on-the-job training if a person
into an upper class neighborhood
knows what he or she is doing,
dining spot without the higher
and has the ability to soak in as
prices asked for by too many oth-
much knowledge as possible ...
ers ... It was what she worked
People like Diane who have this
hard to own in a wish that has
talent have to start somewhere for
come true in its first year ... No
sure, and possessing it is priceless
small feat.
in operating a restaurant.
Commerce Grille is not a large
Diane Walsh has proven herself
place, seating around 90 in the
... And as a result, Commerce
dining room and others at a
Grille, celebrating only its first
semi-square blonde oak bar with
year of action, has become a suc-
a striking oak overhead ... It is
cess story in another fine dining
open seven days a week, Monday
accomplishment.
and Tuesday, 4-9; Wednesday-
RESTAURANT CLOSINGS
Saturday, 4-11; Sunday, 4-9.
... Mr. Greek on Orchard Lake
Bestseller among many choice
Road and Skewers Mid-East
items is a lake perch entree with

.

Grill on Haggerty, both in West
Bloomfield.
MAIL DEPT.... "I have
heard from two different sources
that both Cheesecake Factory
and Capital Grille are negotiating
leases at the expansion at 12 Oaks
in Novi. E-mail response from
Cheesecake Factory was, `We have
not signed a lease at that location:
Of course, that doesn't mean they
aren't negotiating one, as they did
at Somerset Collection last year. I
e-mailed a contact at Cheesecake
Factory and expressed amaze-
ment at how they have ignored
the Oakland County market,
one of the wealthiest counties
in the country. Capital Grille is a
little different story.' I'm not sure
there is room for another upscale
steakhouse in the market, particu-
larly with the new one opening in
Birmingham (Flemmings), but
most all are in the Troy area, so
perhaps a Capital Grille at 12 Oaks
would do well with the growth
in this region without hurting
its Troy restaurant." ... David
Furstenberg.
MANY RECIPIENTS of
invitations to Il Posto Ristorante's
grand opening under new owner-
ship on Franklin, Southfield, were
probably thrilled at the line, "We
ask that you dress appropriately
(suit and tie for men).
About time ... and indicative
that, as celebrity stylist Dino the
Tailor Mitropoulos of Birmingham

and other fashion gurus main-
tain, dress-up wear for men and
women is on the upswing again.
Also, it was so pleasant to see
many of the Il Posto wait staff
smiling and cheerful, as if relieved
of a huge load with the change in
ownership ... And the overflow
crowd rarely saw or tasted a better
buffet display of food.
HE LEFT THE Detroit area
31 years ago for Florida ... and
never returned to live here ...
This time, however, Harvey
Bloom is back to stay ... He has
taken over complete operation
of the Deli Basket at Vineyards,
Northwestern Hwy., between 14
Mile and Middlebelt, Farmington
Hills ... Harvey had Bloom's Elite
Kosher Catering at Congregation
B'nai David in the '70s, and is
reunited at Vineyards with sister
Shirley of Shirley Bloom's Jewish
Catering, who had Mayfair
Kosher Catering with their moth-
er, Lil Bloom ... Harvey behind
the counter means a lot of deli
know-how and now includes
specials like the Saturday and
Sunday dine-in or carryout one
that features fresh New York
bagels, smoked fish (sable, etc.).
CONGRATS ... To Eric
Schiffer on his birthday ... To Pat
Kahn Kourkouliotis on her birth-
day. 0

Danny's e-mail address is
dannyraskin@sbcglobaLnet.

Harvey Bloom's Deli Basket

Great selection of:

ae,

32418 Northwester

• smoked fish
• sable & hand sliced nova lox
• award winning dairy, salad & fish trays

., bet. 14 & Middlebelt

248.855.9463

www-VineyardsDeli.com

Vineyards & Bloom's Holiday Catering in Your Home or Hall

TRUST YOUR AFFAIR TO THE FINEST CATERER
WE'LL BEAT YOUR BEST PRICE!

Weddings • Bar/Bat Mitzvahs • Showers • Banquets
Reunions • Anniversaries • Birthdays • Etc.

We Cater at Most Synagogues,
Temples, Hotels and the
Halls Of Your Choice

PHILIP TEWEL, Food & Beverage Director
248.661-4050 Farmington Hills

50

November 23 • 2066 •

1N

11890.50

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