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From One Joe To Another

Andiamo's Joe Vicari does right by Joe Muer at Ren Cen seafood site.

G

Joe V. wanted a Joe Muer
eneral Motors is known for mak-
ing many right decisions ... And restaurant with cuisine the best
it doesn't necessarily pertain only of two worlds in seafood din-
ing, so to speak ... Traditional
to the automotive business ... The res-
fare as served at the former
taurant game at times has also come into
Joe Muer Seafood, like its
GM's bailiwick of talented assessments.
wonderful clam chowder and
Among the wise judgments might have
Manhattan fish chowder, stuffed
been in the choice of Joe Vicari to reopen
flounder, Dover sole, caramel-
the closed Seldom Blues location in GM's
ized whitefish, etc. ... together
Renaissance Center, Detroit.
with modern classics as select-
When Joe was approached by the auto-
ed by himself and his corporate
motive giant about taking over the former
Seldom Blues site, it was because GM liked chef, Jim Oppat, that include
blue crab stuffed shrimp, ciop-
his way of doing business as evidenced
pino, glazed Atlantic salmon, a delicious
by Joe's successful Andiamo Restaurant in
the Ren Cen ... Joe didn't want to compete appetizer selection that takes in sliced raw
with his own eating place at the same spot beef tenderloin marinated with red wine-
Dijon vinaigrette, garnished with capers,
and among his suggestions was to have a
parsley, chopped egg and red onion among
good top-drawer seafood restaurant, per-
the mouth-watering selections, etc.
haps like the former Joe Muer Seafood.
Also, a raw bar with
GM said that sounded
fresh oyster choices
great and hoped that
from both the East
Joe V. would take over
and West coasts, king
the undertaking since it
crab legs, clams casino,
would not be in rivalry
oysters Rockefeller, etc.
with his fine Italian din-
... and a well-stocked,
ing operation ... Joe V.
fresh sushi bar ... both
admitted that the Joe
of which years ago were
Muer name had value,
not as much the dining
but he wasn't interested
crazes as they are today
in the reincarnation only
. Heading the sushi;
of a restaurant name ...
bar, with its 10 stools,
Joe V. had built a highly
Joe Muer and Joe Vicari
is Yue Feng Cao, noted
respected identity himself
for the training of many
and would open it only if
done his way.
area sushi chefi.
And so, Joe Muer Seafood was opened
He contacted Joe Muer, who was happy
to be out of the restaurant business and
again in accordance with Joe Vs and
General Motors' wishes ... Not being a
agreed to sell the name and his recipes to
Vicari ... No more owning a restaurant
stranger to success, GM certainly proved
for Muer, who remains at the fine dining
again the keen recognition of Joe Vicari's
operation bearing his handle as a host
worth.
greeting new and former customers on
The newest dining operation in Joe
Wednesdays through Sundays and making V.'s fine Andiamo Restaurant Group was
certain his recipes are done with the high- reopened by him after he dished out about
est quality foods and preparation.
a couple million dollars that included

decor styling with assistance
by Ron Rey ... The result is
one of the finest-looking res-
taurants in the United States.
Early evaluations are mean-
ingless when it is about a res-
taurant using a former legend-
ary name and even somewhat
its pattern of operation ...
Over eight months, though,
seems like an appropriate time
element for determining its
success or failure.
One of the absolute most
important things to notice in the restau-
rant business is whether or not people are
coming back a second time or more ...
Getting them to visit the first time is not a
difficult task ... Their return is priceless
... This is what Joe Vicari and his staff are
seeing.
Joe Muer Seafood is open seven days
... Lunch, Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
... Dinner, Monday-Thursday, 3-11 p.m.;
Friday, 3 p.m.-midnight; Saturday, 4 p.m.-
midnight; Sunday 3-10 p.m. ... Seating
is for 360, including 60 in the Joe Muer
Lounge and bar area and another 10 at the
sushi bar.
With so many revisiting to enjoy the
superb food, service and strikingly won-
derful atmosphere, including a beautiful
75 seat outside patio overlooking the
Detroit River and Windsor, Joe Muer
Seafood definitely passes the test with
high-flying colors ... Certainly proving
that General Motors and Joe Vicari are
right again.
GENERAL MANAGER at the new
Prime 29 Steak House, slated to open May
29 at the former 7 Restaurant & Lounge
on Orchard Lake Road and Maple Road,
will be Fadi Ahkour, who formerly held
that post at Zazios in Birmingham ...
Among the fine dining features slated to
be presented at Prime 29 will be a seafood

-

tower-like offering resembling the popular
plateau served at the Prime Steakhouse in
the Las Vegas' Bellagio Hotel & Casino.
QUESTION & ANSWER DEPT. ... "I
met my husband-to-be at Hugo's when it
was in the Park Shelton Hotel, and then
we went to Hugo's when he opened it in
Southfield. Someone said that the owner
was an opera singer. Was he? And do you
know where he is today?" ... Rebecca
Sallen
[I don't know where owner Hugo
Ugolini is these days, but recall him saying
that he was a young retired opera singer
... He worked at Tam-O-Shanter Country
Club and after opening his Hugo's Italian
restaurant oversaw all phases of his opera-
tions from kitchen to stage ... Hugo dug
in with the kitchen help and you probably
heard him when he sang with profession-
als at his Pasta & Pagliacci nights.]
MAKING ROUNDS ... To Bacco
Ristorante, Northwestern Highway,
Southfield, for Branzini Mediterrano
(whole roasted sea bass, etc.)... To Siegel's
Deli, Maple Road, Commerce Township,
for roasted chicken ... To Village Coney,
Adams Road, Birmingham, for kosher
hot dog Coney Island ... To Sposita's
Ristorante, 14 Mile Road, West Bloomfield,
for veal chops ... To Uptown Grill, Maple
Road, Commerce Township, for 20-ounce
rib-eye steak stuffed with blue crab.
ADDING TO THE Northwestern
Highway "Restaurant Row" corridor
between 12 Mile, Southfield, and 14 Mile,
West Bloomfield, a casual steakhouse may
also join the party of openings.
CONGRATS ... To Mark Sherr on his
28th birthday ... To Linda Stone on her
birthday ... To Dharlene Norris on her
birthday ... To Illana Greenberg on her
birthday. ❑

Danny's email address is
dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net.

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