arts & entertainment >> the best of everything Family Ties New John D Bistro another good Ferndale dining addition. f you said that the restaurant's name of John D stands for John D. Rockefeller, you were wrong ... The new and interesting John D. American Bistro Bar, former Bart's on Woodward, about three stores south of Nine Mile Road, Ferndale, is named after the John D that was the building's original builder or architect in the 1920s. Same walls with original terra cotta block, same original cement over the bricks, same entrance with its original archway. John D's owner, Ed Farah Jr., is the son of Ed Farah Sr., who owns the long-stand- ing family restaurant Alia's on Greenfield and 11 Mile Road, Southfield ... Ed Jr. was its manager. People walking by can easily look into the large glass frame window open in the summer with a wrought iron fence where an insulated overhead garage door opens and closes ... Warm-weather passersby probably mutter how interesting the place looks with its interior somewhat remi- niscent of those years ago in New York's Greenwich Village. Except for Sundays, John D is open only for dinner from 5 p.m. ... Tuesday and Wednesday until 11 p.m.; Thursday until 1 a.m.; Friday and Saturday until 2 a.m. ... Sunday breakfast/brunch is from 11 to 3 ... Regular menu, breakfast/brunch menu and late-hour menu. John D's kitchen is run by Executive Chef Adis Celic, formerly of Kruse & Muer in Rochester, a graduate of the Le Cordon Bleu Ed Farah Jr. of John D Culinary School American Bistro Bar in Pasadena, in Ferndale California ... In the kitchen with Chef Celic is his mother, Rajka, and father, Rahmija, prepping and assisting in the butchering chores ... Chef Celic's mom is a Vienna culinary school graduate. The restaurant is also being noted for its baking of bread and pastries plus dressings that include a Caesar-like togetherness. Not on the menu, but avail- able, is a Beef Wellington made by Chef Celic, among other elegant dishes not shown ... All entrees, like four lamb chops, $29; filet, $27; salmon, $17; etc. include side dishes that change daily ... Many of the sauces not made by him are obtained from brother, Etienne, who owns Apolonia Natural Dressings, with bottles in Hiller's, Papa Joe's, Market Fresh and Holiday Markets ... Etienne is also director of entertainment and host for Ed Jr. with "showtime" every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Seating is only for about 58, but the food and relaxed ambience at John D are conducive to gracious informal dining. THE BIG DINING BOOM associated annually with the Detroit Auto Show's recent Preview Week brought more than 5,000 guests to Andiamo Riverfront and Joe Muer at Renaissance Center, says bossman Joe Vicari ... Dan Gilbert, Nate Forbes, Brian Hermelin, etc. etc. etc. ... So many from around the world very impressed with Detroit. HOPE HAD BEEN raised halfway to the sky when it was originally supposed that the vacant Ford plant across the street would be taken over to make batteries and solar products. It was to be a much-wanted shot again in the arm for Moe Leon's Family Dining on Wixom Road in Wixom ... a former dining favorite where Ford employees, among many others, flooded in to enjoy the good food put out by Leon's. But sad fate deemed oth- erwise and the take-over deal never materialized ... However, as in some cases, things have a way of turning out in a happy way with the previous plant to perhaps become a retail center. If so, this will be a huge boon to the business of Moe Leon, whose Moe's on Ten Family Dining restaurant is also a big favorite ... The Wixom transaction looks to become a reality and is happening to a really nice guy. READER MINI REVIEW ... From Sandy Hermanoff ... "Michael and I enjoyed a trip to Venice and were thrilled at the world-famous Harry's Bar where Ernest Hemingway, Sinclair Lewis, Orson Wells, Barbara Hutton, Aristotle Onassis and so many other glitterati hung out and is still the watering hole for the rich and famous. "The bread we had at Harry's, with a custard stuffing and crust, melts in your mouth. The Bellini, its signature drink, is a combination of pureed white peaches and Italian champagne. Our tablecloth was changed from cream to pale yellow just before dessert was served. "The decor is simple, elegant and light, with a nautical touch. The waiters are meticulously attired. The waitpersons handpick everything for their guests. The stemware, as example, must be perfect. "We started our dinner with fabu- lous Bellinis. Michael had Taglioni with Cuttlefish, and I ordered the Piedmontese Ravioli. The food was absolutely wonder- ful. We thoroughly enjoyed beautiful and delicious Harry's Dolci Meringata Al la Creme Cake for dessert, and our waiter brought a delightful Sabayon Meringue for us to taste. Persons at another table were thoroughly enjoying Harry's Carpaccio that our waiter had created many years ago for a Contessa who could not eat any cooked meat. Carpaccio is thinly sliced raw meat with a white sauce. It has become famous all over the globe, as has the Bellini. "The Italian Ministry for Cultural Affairs has declared Harry's a national landmark as one of the world's most cel- ebrated restaurants" GOOD SERVER DEPT. ... Brittany Rosenbaum in the lounge at Ocean Prime, Troy, gets huge plaudits for her efficiency and ways of pleasing customer ... Her pretty smile is a big part of Brittany's makeup and makes for pleasant dining and drinking ... Folks who have been to the Ocean Prime in Scottsdale, Ariz., may remember her from that sector. OLDIE BUT GOODIE ... Sitting in a Chinese restaurant, a fellow asked the waiter if there were Jews in China. The server said he didn't know and would ask in the kitchen and came back saying, "No, sir. No Chinese Jews" When the gent asked, "Are you sure?" the waiter went to find out again and returned saying, "Sir, no Chinese Jews." The fellow said, "Are you sure? I can't believe there are no Chinese Jews" "Sir, I asked everyone the waiter replied exasperated. "We have orange Jews, prune Jews, tomato Jews and grape Jews, but no one ever heard of Chinese Jews!" CONGRATS ... To Morrie Wasserman on his 95th birthday ... To Storm Kirschenbaum on his 34th birthday ... To Tamara Friedman on her birthday ... To Marion and Jay Grant on their 70th anni- versary. ❑ Danny's email address is dannyraskin®sbcglobaLnet. "New Big Daddy's in Livonia has them coming back for more" - Danny Raskin • RAtNti BIG DADDY'S 10% Off Introducing Our Sunday Brunch Buffet Starting February 10th 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Your Total Food Bill JOIN US! February 14th for Valentine's Day Make your reservations Mon - Thurs 11:00 to 10:00 - Fri & Sat 11:00 to 11:00 Sun 10:30 to 10:00 Jan 17th, 2013 Includes Dining-in, Carry-out and Catering. ?■ IEW BIC DADDY'S FINE CREEK CUISINE Not valid on holidays or brunch. Must present coupon. Expires 2/28/2013. JWN Visit us on FI www.newbigdaddys.com 19333 Victor Parkway • Livonia, MI (between 7 & 8 Mile next to Embassy Suites) 734-744-5555 70 January 31 • 2013 JN