arts & entertainment >> the best of everything Like Magic Striking look of new Beau's an enchanting creation. I t is rarely an easy task to follow a dining legend ... and perhaps even more so when it pertains to what had become somewhat of a neighbor- hood standby. If the intent at the opening of the new Beau's on Maple Road west of Telegraph, Bloomfield Township, is to present a major difference, in decor also, that ambition seems to have been achieved. Ultra-modern has replaced the English Tudor outdoors, and the entrance to the new Beau's no longer faces Maple ... The huge change has included the front door now facing east, toward Telegraph ... People enter and say, "Wow!" as they note the mirac- ulous-like change ... No more three rooms seating about 175 ... It is now one huge, spacious-looking restaurant. The entire former Beau Jack's has been completely gutted and trans- formed into a magic-like castle as the storybook legend tells. One of the immedi- ate needs is lowering the high noise level, for which notices by its booths and tables explain that such change will be taken care of ("IT'S SO LOUD IN HERE!! Sorry, we're working on our noise.") ... No windows before, Zack Sklar and now, plenty to enhance any need for more lighting and dining comfort ... A pianist will con- tinue to be at Beau's as the piano still is at one end of the bar. Food is now prepared behind a clean- looking and highly workable open kitchen. The menu at Beau's no longer includes the homemade coleslaw, which recipe was given to the late Jack Cochran, owner with son, Gary, while visiting in Florida, by filly Rizzo, owner of filly's, Frank Sinatra's watering hole at his best of friend's place ... Nor the onion loaf recipe given to Jack by Tom Norris, owner of Bobby Rubino's in Florida ... Another style of onion loaf has taken its place at Beau's. Although the white chili favorite of former executive chef and general manager Bob Vargo is also not there, his award-winning original chili still remains. Customers may select one side dish at no extra charge from a choice of 16 to go with their entree (except sand- wiches) ... The entrees now are very simple ... from hamburger sandwiches to BBQ ribs, grilled lamb chops, grilled whitefish, prime 12-oz. New York strip steak, 8-oz. filet, grilled salmon, prime rib, bar- becued, fried or grilled chicken, pasta, etc. ... But all creations seem to own their own new prepara- tory identities ... In most instances quite unlike others with the same name. Choice wines by the glass, carafe or bottle are available ... along with selected alco- holic libations. A strange look is atop the new Beau's Grillery menu, "Established 1976" ... Following the closing of 10 years as Westerner Beef Buffet, it reopened as Beau Jack's in 1976. Beau's Grillery is owned by Peas & Carrots Hospitality and its owners, Zack Sklar, Jim Bellinson and Josh Humphrey, who also own and operate Social Kitchen and Mex restaurants. Personable former Beau Jack's employees, such as eve- ning hostess Gina Lyscak and waitperson Amy Feldman, etc., bring a touch of yesteryears to many. NEW DINING SERIES at Local Kitchen and Bar on W. Nine Mile, Ferndale, features a new state every week ... and a new region every four weeks ... The weekly specials are classic versions of the local favorites ... and show off Local Kitchen's excellent abilities ... From start to finish, they include soups, sides, breads, entrees, desserts, etc. "Local to us is more about the feeling of being local, a sense of place. Local can be anywhere?' says co-owner Rick Halberg, "so we did a lot of research about what's local all over the coun- try and now have not just a series of monthly dinners, but 48 weeks of spe- cials based on what's local in each of the 48 contiguous states." MENU MEMORIES ... From the Piccadilly restaurant in the former Raleigh House ... "If you try to rip off one of our table menus, it will activate our electronic menu-stealing machine which will unlock a cage filled with 124 gossiping women programmed to talk your ear off for one whole year?' Also on the Piccadilly menu were ... "Too much grief and aggravation to the waitress — 25 cents." "Liver come back to me — Chopped liver with onions and chicken fat guaranteed to come back and haunt you with gas and indigestion?' "Play it again salmon, starring barbecued salmon, garnishes, Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman?' and fishy gourmet items called "The Lox Ness Monster" and "Checky Chubber and the Platter smoked fish?' LAST AND ONLY TIME he had a hole-in-one was years ago in Harrison, N.Y., at a course overlooking West Point ... That is until recently when barrister Jeffrey Sherbow shot his ace on the 16th hole at the Heathers Course at Boyne Highland ... He smacked the ball 170 yards, using a six iron against the wind. In Jeff's foursome were also attorneys Greg Janks, Art Spears and Michael Bars ... Waiting to shoot on the next tee were Brad Stout and Kevin Cleary, also attor- neys ... Jeff's brother, Mark Sherbow, and Adrian and William Spinks Attorneys Jeff and Mark are the sons of Bud and the late Murt Sherbow Former noted restaurant manager Bud's only claim to golfing boasting was mak- ing par while playing miniature golf. OLDIE BUT GOODIE DEPT. ... Jack was in a particularly bad mood, and anyone who got in his way was going to regret it. He walked into the restaurant and plopped himself down on a chair. "Give me a steak well done with mashed potatoes?' When the order came, Jack screamed to the waitress, "Didn't you hear me say `well done'?" "Why thank you, sir?' the waitress smiled. "That is the first compliment I have gotten all day!" CONGRATS ... To Neal Rubin on his birthday ... To Bruce Milen on his birthday ... To Julius Sigman on his 90th birthday ... To Steve Pardo on his 45th birthday ... To Dean Dimitriesky on his birthday ... To Louise Abrams on her birthday ... To Lillian Title on her 93rd birthday ... To Geri Margolis on her birthday. ❑ Danny's email is dannyraskin®sbcglobal.net . JOIN US FOR A NIGHT OF LAUGHTER EVERY FRI & SAT. I Family style dinners available Banquet room available for up to 200 people 40380 Grand River • Novi • 248-615-2102 • Bigtommys.com Between Haggerty & Meadowbrook on the north side 92 September 25 • 2014