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Tell 'Em Gaucho Sent You

Enjoy Brazilian-style dining in downtown Detroit.

0

Brazilian cowboys) servers come
ther than its presentation of a
to each diner individually at the
most interesting concept in din-
table with various beef, chicken,
ing that has placed it among the
lamb, etc., offerings that have
fastest growing in the country, a touch of
already been roasted over open
local togetherness comes with the man-
flames in the kitchen ... When a
agement of Detroit's new Texas de Brazil
colored card is flipped to green
Churrascaria (shoo-rah-scah-REE-ah).
at the table, it is the signal for
Number 20 in the chain, on the ground
gauchos to come with their sea-
floor of the Compuware Building, Campus
soned meats on large sword-like
Martius and Woodward in downtown
skewers.
Detroit, arrives with a general manager
Each gaucho is responsible
who recently married into a segment of
for a single meat the entire
the local legendary Mitchell family, whose
evening, any of which can be
Mitch's and Mitch's II restaurants were
gotten at any temperature and
not-to-be-forgotten favor-
with or without salt ... The 15
ites of many.
or so meats are accompanied
Lexi Omand, a member of
by Brazilian cheese bread,
the Mitchell family, recently
sweet fried bananas and garlic
said "I do" to General
mashed potatoes ... There is
Manager Petro Drakopoulos
no menu since a fixed price
... But it was on their second
is featured for the continuous
date when she exclaimed,
tableside service and gourmet
"Here we go again!" after
salad area.
learning that he worked in
The interior decor at Texas
the restaurant field.
A
de Brazil is fresh looking to
Lexi's father, Keith
General Man ager Petro
go with an atmosphere oozing
Omand, is the former
Drakopoulos
with cleanliness ... An ele-
owner of Mitch's carryout in
gant-looking floral array that
Keego Harbor, and his wife,
took seven days to create on the premises
Georgiann, Petro's new mother-in-law,
is a picture of silk beauty, with curved
used to cook for Lexi's grandfather, Bill
wood chandeliers in the dining room from
Mitchell, at his Mitch's II.
Petro is one of America's youngest restau- abandoned shoe warehouses in Brazil.
Dinner-only seating is for around 200
rant management leaders ... When just 20
in the dining room, and 50 more in a bar
years old, he was already regional manager
section with 12 seats and lounge with
of Jimmy John's, before becoming food and
six high top tables ... Lunch is expected
beverage director of downtown Chicago's
to begin sometime this year ... Current
Marriott Renaissance Hotel ... Today, Petro
hours are Monday-Thursday, 5-9:30;
is an old hand at 27 years of age.
Friday, 5-10; Saturday, 4-10; Sunday, 4-9.
Texas de Brazil is a fascinating dining
The unique dining experience of Texas
adventure ... Guests may partake of an
de Brazil steakhouse is a welcomed addi-
elegant all-you-can-eat buffet array that
tion to Detroit's continued resurgence
includes more than 50 seasonal salads,
back into the field of dining.
sushi, lobster bisque, fried bananas, etc.
MAIL DEPT. ... "I just had to write and
Then comes another all-you-can-eat
tell you about my being at Sposita's res-
experience ... as Gaucho-dressed (like

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Shirlee Bloom, Ron & Maggie Asmar, Cookie & Bart Chimoff,
Miriam Meyers, Tony & Violet Asmar and the entire Staff at the Vineyards
wish our customers and friends a very happy and healthy Rosh Hashanah!

Now taking Break the Fast orders

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Dinner Orders: 248.855.9463

Gift Orders: 248.737.8088

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Bloom's uses
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32418 Northwestern Hwy. (Between Middlebelt & 14 Mile Rd.)

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at the camera; Marvin Slof told stories of
his yesteryears in Hollywood hobnobbing
with movie greats; Carole Rosenberg, as
usual, was her friendly, gracious self; vol-
unteers Geri Margolis and Dave Roberts
made the walk easier as my companions;
eagle eye Bob Benyas looked for candid
pictures ... There were dogs galore, so
cute and well-behaved; petting farm and
games for the kiddies and adults; and an
honor guard from the Jewish War Veterans
Department of Michigan representing
seven posts excellently honored the mem-
ory of those lost on 9-11, etc.
So wonderful to see Dena Greenberg,
Fleischman Residence/Blumberg Plaza
dweller after all these years ... In the early
days of the Detroit Jewish News, as Dena
Goldsmith, she was originally hired as a
bookkeeper but was also a secretary to
owner/editor Philip Slomovitz and served,
too, as office manager.
More than 125 attendees and the splen-
did volunteers at the Walk of Ages thank
Mother Nature for her cooperation.
WHAT AGE SHOULD youngsters be
to enter the world of show business? ...
Start 'em young, say owners Seymour
and Rick Brode at Franklin Athletic Club,
Northwestern Highway, Southfield.
So, enter the Pint-Sized Playhouse for
kids 3-7 years old, originated and directed
by their drama teacher Kim Cash, a 25-year
veteran of live theater with professional
acting credits in productions around the
country, including off-Broadway in New
York ... And it's not just to put on little kid-
die shows ... Each session may end with a
Broadway-style production including musi-
cals, for family and friends to attend.
CONGRATS ... To Howard Falick on
his 59th birthday ... To Rita Kushner on
her 90th birthday ... To Gail Zimmerman
on her birthday.

Last Minute
Rosh Hashanah orders

$99

110 September 22 2011

taurant [ 14 Mile, Farmington
Hills]. My dinner date and I
sat in a comfortable booth
and were excellently served
wonderful dinners. We both
had delicious entrees of
chicken picatta, which were
superbly prepared along with
fresh Italian bread and a
wonderful antipasto plate.
"I can't remember when
I enjoyed such a fine min-
estrone soup, and my favorite
salad, Caesar, was absolutely
perfect. It was a Friday night and Sposita's
was crowded with so many diners know-
ing each other and enjoying their meal in
the cozy atmosphere. We definitely will go
back." ... Joyce Brandemihl
MORE SERVER DON'TS ... Don't
bring your problems to work ... Don't
pour hot coffee onto cold coffee; bring a
fresh cup before pouring ... Don't guess
when customers ask a question. Say you'll
check and return ... Don't say, "What are
we having?" unless you intend to eat with
the customer.
MORE SERVER DO'S ...Do look at
a credit card, and when returning it say,
"Thank you, Mr. or Ms. Jones or whatever
his or her name may be ... Do remove
dirty or finished dishes ... Do smile.
HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN a sharp dress-
er and Jack Shenkman didn't deviate from
his classy appearance even though the
occasion was a walkathon.
As this year's grand marshal, with wife,
Miriam, of the Ninth Annual W.J. & Lillian
Kemler Walk of Ages by the Jewish Senior
Life Auxiliary, Jack was right at home
wearing a shirt and tie, sport jacket and
matching trousers.
He and Miriam looked great as they
celebrated their 71st anniversary; Rich
Luderman and Murray Feldman of TV
Channel 2 "hammed" it for Geri Margolis