111•' IMF rI- THE BES OF EVERYTHING Former Larco's in Troy has a new name, new menu and hipper, tavern-like ambience. p OTPOURRI ... The end of a tradition at one locale may be the name chang- ing of the former Larco's Chophouse, E. Big Beaver, Troy ... Now name-changed to Big Beaver Tavern, it continues to retain a few of the favorites (the former Shrimp Larco is called Lemon Shrimp), the menu is almost completely different, with burg- ers, nachos and typical bar food the major yummies ... No more reference to the original founders of Larco's Inn, owner Mark Larco's dad Pete and uncles Mike and Nick Larco ... The picture of them is gone and instead is one of three beavers wearing tuxedos ... Speaking of tuxes, the waitpersons no longer wear them ... the eatery's style is now T-shirts ... No more intimacy decor with open room, new paint job, 19 HD TV's, stone covering on the walls, etc. ... The former Larco's Chophouse in Troy, now called Big Beaver Tavern, certainly has taken a different direction ... The West Bloomfield loca- tion, also solely owned by Mark and wife Susan Larco, remains the same. THE WORD HAS spread like loose desert cactus in a wind storm of his being back in the northwest area res- taurant scene ... Those finding out are clapping their hands in learning that Achille Bianchi, one of this areas more popular gents, is the new sommelier at Bacco, Northwestern, Southfield ... Many remember Achille from his waiter days at Mario's Detroit; and then maitre d' for Epoch Restaurants' Raphaels, Chez Raphael, Too Chez, Tribute, Forte and Latitude in Bay Harbor. THE ORIGINAL intent was for rock and roll and jazz music along with dining on the outdoors deck, but own- ers Dale Cassady and Charles "Doc" Schuler, decided against having a golfer missing a putt on the final hole and throwing his or her club at the distrac- tion ... So no music outdoors at the new Doc and Dale's Copper Creek Tavern on the Copper Creek Golf Course, 12 Mile between Halsted and Haggerty, Farmington Hills ... Still American style dining on the deck, but music Wednesday evenings is in its dining room ... Doc and Dale's is open Monday through Saturday 11 to midnight; Sundays noon to midnight. BACK FROM six months in Israel and Ethiopia, Seifu Lessenwork, owner of Blue Nile, 9 Mile, west of Woodward, Ferndale, will soon unveil new recipes garnered from the regions visited. DINING DEALS DEPT. ... Dinner spe- cials at Beans & Cornbread, Northwestern, between 12 and Inkster, Southfield, Monday through Friday, 4-7, include entree, two side dishes, sweet potato muf- fins, cornbread and dessert, $8.99 ... Daily lunches are $5.99. MAKING ROUNDS ... To Vince's, Springwells, Detroit, for premises- made gnocchi ... To Antonio's 12 Mile, Farmington Hills, for linguine with red clam sauce ... To P.F. Chang's, Big Beaver, Troy, for orange peel beef. REMEMBERING DEPT. ... from Michael Kellen ... "When a big night out was going to Al Siegel's Elmwood Casino in Windsor. From the '50s to the '70s, it was almost like being in Las Vegas. I saw everyone there from Sammy Davis Jr., to Bobby Darin to Torn Jones to Carol Channing. Even the Supremes' last Detroit appearance as a group. "It was always fun to go to the opening night of a new act at places like the Michigan Palace, Lofy's, Center Stage in Livonia and DB's at Hyatt Regency in Dearborn. Before the Locricchio family owned Pine Knob Music Theater, Joe L. had a band and played at clubs around town. People would line up to see them, much the same way they lined up in Las Vegas, to see Checkmates Ltd. "Dinner at Topinka's on 7 Mile and Telegraph was a real treat. There was another one on Grand Blvd., but Seven Mile was a favorite. Al Balooly owned it then and was always a great host. Back in the '50s and '60s, I took most of my dates to dinner at Darbys on Seven Mile and Wyoming, the hottest place in town. A deli on one side and a bar on the other, it was the place to be seen. There has never been another restaurant like it. "I still hear debates on who had the best ribs, Zukin's, Tunnel Barbecue or Checker Barbecue. My favorite restaurant was Mitch's in Waterford. Just a yellow house at that time, but the food was won- derful. Much like the old Ginopolis' in Farmington Hills, it was also a converted house. "I always looked forward to breakfast at Dubb's in Oak Park. It was a true fam- ily restaurant. We had a favorite waitress named Shelly, who later was at Ron's Bagel Deli on 14 Mile [that would be Shelley Old Fashioned wee kend Breakfast Rogow]. Many couples who are still together today met at the Scotch 'n' Sirloin in Detroit with its wonderful food and atmosphere." IN ANSWER TO numerous inquiries by readers, yes, Marvin Yagoda, owner of Marvelous Marvin's Mechanical Museum, Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills, is a registered pharmacist ... He also owns Sam's Drugs, Fenkell, corner of Ardmore, Detroit, which Marvin operates daily except his Wednesday off-day ... Sam's Drugs was originally opened by his dad and mother, Sam and Fanny Yagoda, in 1932 at the corner of Fenkell and Cruse, its site before moving in 1937 to the present location ... Marvin and his son Jeremy both run the mechanical fun museum. REUNION DEPT. ... 30-year biggie by Southfield High class of 1979 is Saturday, Sept. 5, 7 p.m., at Wonderland Lanes, Commerce Township ... For more info contact Stacie Goodwin Rein, (248) 737- 2711, srein123@hotmail.com , or Annette Lichtman Mulcahy, (248) 978-4335 ... All years from 1954 to 1978 shindig by for- mer Paul L. Best Elementary, now named John F. Kennedy Elementary, Oak Park, is Sunday, Aug. 16, 1-5, at Como's, Woodward, Ferndale ... Call Mike Gerber, (586) 731- 7873, or e-mail bestschool@hotmail.com . CONGRATS ... To Ethel Klavons on her 99th birthday ... To Adrienne Gordon on her 50th birthday ... To Donna Weingarden on her 60th birthday ... To Dr. Abe and Sylvia Pearlman on their 69th anniversary. ❑ Danny's e-mail address is dannyraskin@sbcgiobal.net . aiket Dctroit's Prepared by Ron Forman Best Jewish Deli! ." Free Chocolate Dipping Fountain with Fruit every Saturday and Sunday from 10a.m.-2p.m. EGGS, OMELET'S, PANCAKES MATZAH BREI ALONG WITH A COMPLETE BREAKFAST MENU WITH WAIT STAFF SERVICE! With our Premium Deli or Dairy Trays „ Anil 00 ,00141.— -- Nots Not valid with any other offer • Minimum of 10 Available Saturday and Sunday thru August 2nd only • 10am- 2 p.m. O ita 1 Buy One Breakfast 50% Off the rd breakfast (of equal or lesser yalue)Cannot be combined with any other offer With coupon INEY 32418 Northwes ern Hwy. • between Middlebolt Pi 14 Mitc! 248.855-9463 www,VineyardUc-di,com OPOIP July 23 • 2009 C11