I Arts & Entertainment THE BEST OF EVERYTHING Heart And Soul Food Beans & Cornbread restaurant succeeds by making Southern cooking healthier. W hen soul food began its popu- Beans & Cornbread has come larity sometime in the 1960s, a long way, featured on TV's many people were skeptical Food Network as a must-dine about trying it because they considered the restaurant in Detroit and men- cuisine to be overly high in fat and calories. tioned in the same company This thinking was one of the first things as Sylvia's in Harlem, New to which Patrick Coleman, owner of Beans York, Neeley's in Memphis, & Cornbread, Northwestern Highway Tenn., Mert's Heart & Soul between 12 Mile and Inkster, Southfield, in Charlotte, N.C., and Aunt wanted to give special notice ... The word Kizzy's Back Porch in Marina was soon out about Beans & Cornbread, del Rey, outside of Los Angeles. resulting in people's thoughts about high In 13 years, it is estimated fat and calories being changed. that more than a million Now celebrating its 13th anniversary, and a-half people have come B&C has become better known for its through the restaurant doors ... eating healthful dining ways. almost 270,500 pounds of "My great-grandmother's chicken wings, about 50,000 style of soul food was high pounds of salmon, almost in fat and calories because 40,000 pounds of shrimp she used a lot of animal fat in and around 50,000 gallons its preparation:' says Patrick, of gumbo soup. former Forte dining room The highly popular best- manager and Sebastian's gen- sellers on the menu are eral manager. down-home fried chicken, Today, Beans & Cornbread almost 300,000 pounds does a much healthier style since opening, and barbe- Patrick Col eman of Southern cooking that cued chicken ... Salmon his great-grandmother or croquettes with roasted red grandmother would never recognize ... pepper sauce are a very close second. No lard or fatback (animal fat) in any of its Besides the luscious menu items, specials preparation ... Only 100 percent vegetable include beef ribs, fried lobster tails and oil ... No trans-fat or MSG and 99 percent sauteed perch ... But if the ingredients are of the menu is made from scratch ... available, they can be ordered at almost Collard greens and beans, both considered any time ... No other restaurant, not even super foods with vitamin A, beta carotene those named above, has a Harlem Burrito, and other excellent nutrients, are seasoned or soul food in a tortilla shell ... None of with smoked turkey wings ... There are the restaurants above have the same lus- many grilled fish options including tilapia, cious, excellent sweet potato muffins (over salmon, catfish, etc., all with excellent taste a million have been served at Beans & and emphasis on fewer calories and grams Cornbread who originated the yummies) of fat. ... Along with its being very attuned to a healthier form of cooking, veg- etarian options are also always constantly featured. B&C is open seven days ... Monday-Thursday, 11-9; Friday, 11-10; Saturday noon- 10; Sunday, 11-9 ... All-you- can-eat brunch on Sunday is 11-2, $9.95 ... Those hard- to-beat lunch specials $5.99 Monday through Friday, 11-4, and Fish Fry every Monday evening, $6.99. Dining room seating is for 70, with another 24 in the intimate next- door Side Bar with live entertainment Wednesdays and Thursdays ... On the res- taurants other side, the Red Velvet Room holds up to 50 guests for private events. Yes, Beans & Cornbread has certainly come a long way ... And its healthful approaches in dining very highly received. GOOD DINING DEAL ... The freshly ground and molded on premises Turkey or Chicken Burger Plates (no bun), plus soup or salad, vegetable and mashed potatoes, $8.95 ... Siegel's Deli, Maple just west of Haggerty, Commerce Township ... (And don't forget to have a piece of Angela's ter- rific strudel, blueberry, apple or cherry, if any are left). NUMEROUS READERS ask if I recall Detroit ever having supper clubs years ago ... Supper clubs seemed almost entirely limited to New York City and never did thrive with the same enthusiasm when tried elsewhere. Charlie Costello succeeded somewhat in bringing a supper club to Detroit, but it wasn't easy ... He was born in New York and came here to play with his orchestra at the Old Wayne Club, Van Dyke Club and Whittier Hotel's Gold Cup Room before moving to the Wedgewood Room on East Jefferson ... He later bought the place and changed the name to Charlie Costello's ... Supper Clubs were usually small, elegant rooms with intimate atmosphere, open for dinner and supper only, no lunch or danc- ing ... But I think Charlie had dancing. RECOMMENDED SANDWICH DEPT. ... The large slow-roasted turkey breast at R.J.'s American Grille, Northwestern Highway south of 14 Mile, Farmington Hills, roasted on premises five hours andl- includes fries and new dill pickle, $8.95. New manager at R.J.'s, Darryl Leff, the cousin of Rabbi Emeritus David Nelson of Congregation Beth Shalom in Oak Park, and chef Rob Krosnick, former Stage, Katz's, etc., deli gent, have rooting rights in com- mon ... Both graduated from Oak Park High only two years apart ... Darryl in 1979 and Rob in 1981. QUESTION & ANSWER DEPT. ... "I used to see Dick Purtan a lot at a Royal Oak delicatessen. I remember seeing you there too. Do you remember which one it was?" ... Allen Kashden [Sure, Sammy's Corned Beef and Rye, owned by Sam Sadler in Ferndale, not Royal Oak, where Dick used to go with his radio station side kick, Tom Ryan."] CONGRATS ... To Karrie Slominski on her 33rd birthday ... To Pam Smith on her birthday ... To Harold Maloff on his 60th birthday ... To Sylvia Hubert Goldberg on her 95th birthday ... (Correction, To Boris and Jan Shain on their 38th anniversary, not 48th). Danny's address is dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net . Such a Deal! ...Worth the stop at Vineyards! r "MI Dinner ! f or 4 L Includes choice of: 1 LB Turkey, Corned beef or Pastrami 1 LB or Potato salad or coleslaw 1 LB Double baked rye bread Old and new dill pickles Russian dressing Valid after 3:00 p.m • Not valid with any other coupon or discount Exp 11/15/10 mom I ■ 1 =NE .... r WEEKEND BRUNCH I Fish Plate & Eggs I I I Serves 2 • Includes: Nova Lox & Whitefish Salad I II sill L VEGAN & GLUTEN FREE AVAILABLE! • Scrambled Eggs • Served with Vegetable & Garnish • Cream Cheese & (2) Bagels With purchase of 2 fountain drinks. FREE POUND GOURMET SALAD (with purchase of the same of equal or greater value) 32418 Northwestern Hwy. between Middlebelt & 14 Mile 52 October 21 • 2010 IN MICHIGAN'S , Q, 6)7 fPL _DD C_,,) - The Detroit News 248.855-9463 Order online: www.VineyardDeli.com Weekday Dinner Hours 4.7 pm