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