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Smile And Say ... 'Cheesecake'

Detroit's Cheesecake Bistro is the latest addition to Downtown dining excitement.

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OTPOURRI
Searching the menu, there are
10 flavors of cheesecake made
on the premises ... And other dishes that
might include cheesecake may also be in
the works, says one of the folks at the new
Detroit's Cheesecake Bistro that recently
opened.
The location is that of the former Sweet
Georgia Brown on Brush in Detroit ... One
of few similarities to each other is that
Lavan Hawkins can claim involvement
in both ... He was the original owner of
Sweet Georgia Brown and is now co-owner
of Detroit's Cheesecake Bistro with Dr.
David Tonkin.

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The pre-opening VIP party, the evening
before its recent opening, revealed a strik-
ingly different interior look of the two ...
very interesting menus for breakfast, lunch
and dinner ... and the realization that
Detroit's Cheesecake Bistro has assembled
a fine working team that usually comes
with a winning operation.
A huge delight greets folks entering the
front door and seeing Julius Michael with
his gracious presence and utter cordial-
ity as dining room manager and host, a
position from which he greets customers
with so much warmth ... "I'm thrilled to
be back home," extolled Julius with that
big smile he often flashed while doing the
same chore at the former Sweet Georgia
Brown.
And much excitement at learning that
Frank Blackman, executive chef in the
1990s at the former Downtown London

go along with the lamb chops,
Chop House, owned by
crab delights, lobster rolls, etc.
Maurice and Venetia Adams,
... And everyone was given a
that took over where the one-
fancy box before leaving that
time original London Chop
had a nice slice of cheesecake
House had been located, is
in it.
now executive chef at Detroit's
GOOD MANAGER DEPT.
Cheesecake Bistro ... His
... Ray Hanson at Buddy's
thoughts are many insofar as
Pizza flagship restaurant
to concoctions that may some-
on Northwestern Highway,
times include cheesecake.
Danny Raskin
The evening opened with a
Senior Columnist Farmington Hills, seems too
knowledgeable to custom-
big bang when entering, seeing
ers not to have some hidden,
and hearing wonderful vocalist
high-ranking experience in his past ...
Suzie Marsh and hubby, Dan Warren, with
their Warren Commission quartet ... Suzie Aside from being a fine, efficient, custom-
er-pleasing manager, Ray is also a member
and Dan and their group are by far one of
of the research and development team for
the finest musical aggregations to grace
the Buddy's Pizza restaurant chain ... He
the ears at local restaurants and events ...
is a certified wine sommelier, was in the
Her vocal renditions of popular songs are
food and beverage department at the Ritz-
choice.
Carlton, is a former manager and general
Many familiar faces in the crowd ...
manager of a previous London Chop
Armen Darakjian telling Mel Ball about
House venture and was director of opera-
enjoying him when Mel played at his
tions at Tom's Oyster Bar restaurants.
brother Ara's wedding ... Third Circuit
MAIL DEPT.... "We were sad recently
Court Judge Craig Strong resplendent in
when going to D'Pauli's for dinner.
a bright orange suit with dark blue pin
Everything was locked up, blinds closed.
stripes just like the one that Cab Calloway
Are we the last to know in the Jewish com-
wore when not in his white tuxedo.
munity that it has closed?" ... Nancy Kalef
Luciano Del Signore and wife, Monica,
[The short-lived D'Pauli's that followed
of Bacco Ristorante; Adrian Tonon of Cafe
the original D'Pauli's in Sugar Tree closed
Cortina; Ed Bitar of Le Chef Bistro; Walter
because of economic reasons ... Too bad,
Rhea of Walt's; Ken Akinwale of Detroit
because the former site of Georgio's in
Seafood Market; Mel Ball and wife, Gail,
West Bloomfield is a choice location.]
etc.
THINGS PEOPLE WOULD Like To
Executive Chef Blackman and his kitch-
See Dept. ... Angela Israilov, owner Boris'
en seem to be presenting a fine diversified
wife at Siegel's Deli, 15 Mile, just west of
menu that looks to satisfy from breakfast
Haggerty, Commerce Township, make her
on through dinner.
coffeecake also with chopped cherries, fat-
Few reminders remain that this was
free sour cream and chopped nuts ... Plus
the former Sweet Georgia Brown location,
the same without nuts for those who can't
with the exception of the same bar that
or don't eat nuts.
stretches along the back mirrored wall
MAKING ROUNDS ... To La Dolce
plus a few little looks here and there.
Vita, Detroit, for lake perch in white wine
The cheesecakes were introduced when
sauce ... To Mene Sushi, West Bloomfield,
delicious hors d'oeuvres were passed ...
for teriyaki salmon ... To It's A Matter of
Various flavors of cheesecake on a stick to

Oct 28th thru November 18th Every Friday & Sunday Night

Andiamo Novi presents a night of Prohibition-era
entertainment complete with jazz and improvisational
fun! By the people who brought you Beehive. Bring
your friends, step back in time where the Hooch is
flowing and the Fuzz is looking the other way.

Friday night show 8:00 p.m. Sunday shows 6:00 p.m.
Dinner and Show $69.96 Individual Tickets $20.00.

Call 248-348-3838 to make your reservation

42705 Grand River, Novi, Michigan 48375

58 October 11 . 2012

Taste, Commerce Township, for veal osso
buco ... To Jeremy, Keego Harbor, for beef
tenderloin.
OLDIE BUT GOODIE Dept. ... Fellow
goes to a restaurant daily and always
orders soup of the day ... The manager
asks him if he likes his meal and the gent
replies in an accent, "Was good, but you
could give a little more bread."
Next day, the manager tells the server
to give him four slices and asks the fellow,
"How was your meal, sir?"
"Was good, but you could give a little
more bread."
Following day, the manager tells the
server to give him eight slices and again
asks how the meal was.
"Was good, but you could give a little
more bread."
The manager is now obsessed with see-
ing that the fellow say that he enjoyed the
meal that he goes to the bakery and orders
a 6-foot-long French bread ... When the
customer comes in as usual the next day,
the server and manager cut the loaf in
half, and lay it out along the counter, right
next to his bowl of soup ... The gent sits
down and devours both his bowl of soup
and both halves of the 6-foot loaf of bread.
Now, the manager thinks he will get
the answer he is looking for ... When the
fellow comes up to pay for his meal, the
manager asks in the usual way, "How was
your meal today, sir?"
The gent replies in his accent, "It was
good as usual, but I see you are back to
giving only two slices of bread."
CONGRATS ... To Pamela Smith on her
birthday ... to Leah Baum on her birthday
... to Howard Ball on his birthday ... To
Lillian Title on her 91st birthday ... To
Martin and Frances Scheer on their 66th
anniversary. L

Danny's email is dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net .

Introducing our New

"Bistro" Menu!

Same great food but
with more selections!

Monday-Thursday
3 p.m.-7p.m.
$5 martini's
$5 wine
$5 appetizers

All Day Happy
Hour every
Thursday..

Every Thursday night 6-10
music by Ken Short Band

featuring Stephanie Sherman

