Arts & Entertainment
THE BEST OF EVERYTHING
Double Celebration
Andiamo West marks 10 years and a wonderful partnership.
T
he restaurant's celebration is
for 10 years of operation ...
But it should be a dual one that
also celebrates almost four years of it
... That's the time since Andiamo West
and its present executive chef turned the
wheels of fate into a joint togetherness
of vast fulfillment between him, owner
Joe Vicari and his operating partner at
Andiamo West, knowledgeable and like-
able Jerry Vitale.
Having an executive chef like Joe
Parrino has made another big difference
in the Andiamo West on Telegraph, south
of Maple (15 Mile), Bloomfield Township.
Other than his stints as assistant execu-
tive chef at Excalibur Hotel and Casino in
Las Vegas, under its executive chef Lucio
Arracibia, now food and beverage direc-
tor at Motor City Casino in Detroit, Chef
Joe owns a treasured trait held by few
kitchen heads ... One who can identify
with a restaurant owner because he was
one himself.
As such, Chef Joe is among those whose
prime interest, other than full customer
satisfaction, is putting his knowledge to
use in achieving a continued superior din-
ing recognition through his varied talents
and know-how ... He studied culinary
arts in Rome and Sicily and is the third
generation of chefs that began with his
grandfather in Italy.
At his La Dolce Vita in Beverly Hills,
Calif., one of Chef Joe's customers was
Frank Sinatra, who loved the filet there
but always wanted it served already sliced
... This is where the Sinatra Cut was
originated ... Sinatra also had Joe make
his rigatoni with tomato juice rather than
any of the fancy sauces that the pasta may
come with ... At his Antonello's
... It is prepared with cher-
in Santa Ana, Calif., preparing
ries topping four layers of ice
food for Ernest Borgnine always
cream flavors, with chopped
was a treat because Borgnine
nuts on the sides and bot-
only wanted whatever Chef Joe
tom and chocolate dripping
made that day ... Other noted
generously onto its graham-
personages from film and sports
cracker crust.
worlds were regulars for 19
Chef Joe's note for mak-
years at his 20-20 Italian Cafe
ing dishes that no other
in Laguna Hills, Calif., and two
restaurant may have adds
years at Parrino's Trattoria,
to his prominence ... Like
owned by Joe in San Juan
the whitefish, sauteed with
Capistrano, Calif., where his
shrimp, scallops and crab-
flamed Steak Diane was a big favorite.
meat in a brandy palmina sauce, $26 ... A
Chef Joe is such a devoted part of the
highly wanted order is his sauteed halibut
restaurant in which he works, in this
filet with tomatoes, onions and hearts of
instance, Andiamo West; his dedication
palm, $28 ... Chef Joe's osso buco of lamb
demands preparation of whatever custom- shank braised in tomato with red wine,
ers may desire ... "If the ingredients aren't $28, is always a huge favorite.
in the house, I'll send out and get them!"
Andiamo West seats 200 in a beauti-
he says.
fully elegant and spacious upstairs dining
Since opening in 1997, Andiamo West
setting, plus 33 in the bar/lounge and 167
has made little changes in its decor ...
downstairs ... It is a seven-day opera-
No need to, being one of the region's
tion, open Monday thru Thursday, 11-11;
finer-looking dining spots ... The entire
Friday, 11-midnight; Saturday, 4 to mid-
restaurant is now carpeted rather than
night; Sunday, 3 to 9.
just one-half as before, and a combination
The 10-year existence of Andiamo West
glass and wood wall presently separates
has been one of excellent dining that
the bar/lounge area with its all-granite bar keeps getting better, with enjoyable come-
from the always so neat-looking, prim and back experiences.
colorful dining room.
A SMART MOVE that accomplished
In the 10 years since Joe Vicari and
an important purpose was the recent
Jerry Vitale took over the former Machus
string of invitations from Luciano and
Red Fox locale that made national note as
Monica Del Signore, owners of Bacco
the site where Jimmy Hoffa was last seen,
Ristorante on Northwestern in Southfield
more than 3 million people have passed
... Rather than inviting folks at one time
through its doors.
to see their new Bacco Saletta small ban-
Its menu is true Italian and customers
quet facility and creating a madhouse
rave about the wonderful spumoni ice
that would have defeated the aim of an
cream that is made at the Andiamo Italia
intimate look-see, they stretched out
flagship restaurant on 14 Mile in Warren
the showing over seven days, with small
groups invited each evening ... This
invited guests to wine and dine in quiet
closeness while relaxing amid three strik-
ing rooms holding 10 to 75 people and
emphasized private dining for business
meetings or small events.
16 YEARS AGO, community-ite Brian
Parker, former Marriott Resorts chef,
started the first Scallywags Whitefish and
Chips in Mackinaw City ... And in 2003
a second in Petoskey ... Since then, both
have become favorite up-north destina-
tions ... This year, Brian teamed up with
his sister, Suzy, and brother-in-law Philip
Sherman, to open a Metro Detroit location
for diners to enjoy all year long ... Suzy
and Philip are operating the Scalawags
Whitefish and Chips on S. Rochester Road
in Rochester Hills, featuring its lightly
battered whitefish and delicious whitefish
chowder ... Menu offerings also include
walleye, perch, shrimp, sandwiches, etc.,
plus numerous non-fried alternatives.
MAKING ROUNDS ... To Buddy's
Pizza, Northwestern, Farmington Hills, for
minestrone soup ... To Loving Spoonful,
12 Mile, West Bloomfield, for thyme
chicken with special house rub ... To
Crumpets, Somerset Inn, Troy, for ham-
burger mixed with bleu cheese or wine.
CONGRATS ... To Ray Abrams on his
82nd birthday ... To Wilbert Blake on his
birthday ... To Diana Richmond on her
birthday ... To Frances Broder on her
birthday ... To Dennis Green on his birth-
day ... To Sandra Cameron on her birthday
... To Charles and Cheri Cohen on their
32nd anniversary ... To Julie and Ernie
Backalar on their 11th anniversary. fl
Danny's e-mail is dannyraskin@sbcglobaLnet.
*****************************************************
COMPARE OUR
LOW PRICES
WITH ANY
* Our Regular DELICATESSEN
Tuna & Fat-
IN TOWN!
* potato Lakes
* Handcut Lox
Free Tuna
Can't Be Beat!
wo
CA *4
0 >4
* Vegetarian
Liver
* Homemade
Potato Salad
& Coleslaw
MEAT TRAY
$6 .99
=on
SALAD TRAY
$7.50 person
SALAD TRAY W/
LOX & CREAM CHEESE
$10 .50Per
pe rson
DAIRY TRAY
$1114.99Per
person
STAR'S TRAYS CAN'T BE BEAT FOR QI 'MALTY & PRICE!
Off
ON STAR'S BEAUTIFUL
ALREADY LOW-PRICED
MEAT OR DAIRY TRAYS
WITH THIS COUPON
• Expires 11/30/07 • One Per Person • Not Good Holidays • 10 Person Minimum
* DELIVERY AVAILABLE
24555 W. 12 MILE ROAD
Just west of Telegraph Road • Southfield
**
4,4
4(
44
248.352.7377
*** ********************** ******************* *********
B16
October 25 • 2007