the best of everything A Neighborhood Gem Sposita's Ristorante is true to the tradition of Mama's luscious goodies. S ome of your better neighborhood restau- potatoes, etc., that accompany entrees ... but, rants that were not expected to stay open in no small measure, for the close camaraderie for any length of time have fooled many ... among employees and customers. by having years and years of success. Culinary operations such as Sposita's One of them is Sposita's Ristorante on 14 Mile, Ristorante, with folks like excellent General east of Farmington Road, West Bloomfield ... It Manager John Flynn, who assists Joe and Lois, has more than weathered a business separation are among those very choice, ultra-clean Italian and is now celebrating its 16th anniversary as a neighborhood eating establishments that are culinary standout among the area's better neigh- held so dearly by those who consider them Danny Ra skin borhood Italian eateries. almost invaluable. Senior Col urnnist Chances of its original continuation may have A WONDERFUL DINING LEGEND comes been small ... But fate had stepped in decades ear- to an end as Mark and Susan Larco close their lier when little Joe Sposita Jr. would watch his mother cook Big Beaver Tavern (the former Larco's), Troy, on Nov. 25 and marvel at the food she put on her family's table. ... The many memories of Larco's are strong ... with fond Or later, when he grew up, married Lois, and they would remembrances of Mark's dad, Pete, and uncles Mike and Nick visit his parents and, of course, eat his mother's wonderful on Six Mile and San Juan, Detroit ... Mark has done proud food. by them ... His and Susan's retirement will The years rolled by and, like so many have them missed by many ... The site will other women, Mary Sposita had con- become the area's third Crispelli's Bakery stantly been told that she should have her and Pizzeria. own restaurant ... Mary never did open THE NEW L'CHAIM menu of noted one, but instead plied her cooking magic Jewish dishes now available along with at places remembered for their great the usual good Italian food at Andiamo food, Blue Lantern, Monk's Cellar and Bloomfield, Telegraph, just south of 15 Ginopolis'. Mile, by owner Joe Vicari and Executive As destiny would have it, Joseph Sr. Chef Bill Hall, has gone over in a big way and Mary had a son who, in 2001, would ... The number of people who have offered retire as a high-ranking official in the more "to life!" menu suggestions would Lois and Joe Sposita International Plumbers Union to devote take over a lot of dining space. his full-time efforts with Lois as owners READER RECOMMENDED of the restaurant that would bear the family name. RESTAURANTS Dept. ... from Theresa Rich ... New It had previously been the small Envoy Cafe, which was Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails, Park Shelton, Kirby, Detroit enlarged by his takeover of the empty space next door ... and ... and Stuffed Bun breakfast and brunch, E. Walton Blvd., the building of an additional 80-seat dining room next to the Pontiac. lounge with its booths, tables and 12 stools at the L-shaped bar. WEARING GLOVES by persons handling food in restau- Sposita's hours are Monday-Thursday, 4-10 p.m.; Friday rants is most important ... But many people do not realise lunch and dinner, 11:30-11; Saturday, 4-11; Sunday, 4-9 ... that numerous employees evidently don't know the difference with excellent service and its highly acclaimed steaks, lamb between continuous use or not ... So many such employees, chops, ground sirloin, pasta dishes galore, often-ordered particularly in the kitchens, never change their gloves all day chicken dishes, seafood, veal, etc. ... Even after continually wiping their covered hands on dirty Sposita's Ristorante today holds a special niche in the aprons which they do not seem to change. hearts of many folks ... Not only because of the food, quan- IN ANSWER TO MANY queries as to what women tity, service and price, to go with its raved-about homemade, restaurateurs in this area are considered to be most knowl- award-honored minestrone soup, full antipasto tray, salad, edgeable when it comes to questions about Italian dining, PRIME29 STEAKS • SEAFOOD • COCKTAILS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON'S LUXURY DINING DESTINATION SIGNATURE MENUS • ELITE SERVICE • EXTENSIVE AMENITIES g 6/11. 19/ 248.73.PRIMEC77463) 76 its food preparation or presentation, it would be a toss-up among many ... But three may stand out ... Rina Tonon of Cafe Cortina, Farmington Hills; Frances Truant of Giovanni's, Detroit; and Rita Rugiero of Roman Empire, Dearborn ... among others. ALONG WITH ITS regular daily menu, a big seafood mark is being made by Maria's, Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield ... Fresh fish offerings now include Lake Superior whitefish, whitefish piccata, Atlantic salmon florentine, char- grilled salmon and Dover sole almondine ... Regular daily fish specials are rainbow trout, Chilean sea bass and sauteed frog legs. MAKING ROUNDS ... To Uptown Parthenon, Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield, for double-bone lamb chops ... To Santorini Estiatorio, Monroe, Detroit, for lemon chicken, Greek style ... To London Chop House, Congress, Detroit, for Pancho Burger ... To Ginopolis' Bar-B-Q Smokehouse, 12 Mile, Farmington Hills, for Montgomery Barbecue Ribs. DREAM CRUISE recently no doubt brought memories of yesteryears to many ... People like former Detroiter Herman Kramer, who came here from California and was among the more than a million standing, sitting, lying down, etc., to catch glimpses of the vintage cars ... He kept looking, but never did see his De Vaux. Herman couldn't stay the entire weekend ... He and Bess had to get back, but Herm is the only person I know of who had a De Vaux ... It was my first car, too ... Yes, it was that long ago ... Herm didn't remember much of it either. My De Vaux was a used job, and gas then was so cheap, maybe about five gallons, more or less, for a dollar. QUICKIE OLDIES BUT GOODIES ... Doctor says, "You'll live to be 70!" Patient, "I am 70!" Doctor, "See! What did I tell you!" A doctor held a stethoscope to a man's chest. The man asks, "Doc, how do I stand?" The doctor says, "That's what puzzles me!" A drunk was in front of a judge. The judge says, "You've been brought here for drinking." The drunk says, "OK, let's get started." CONGRATS ... To Daniel Kuchersky on his birthday ... To Yvonne Kuchersky on her birthday ... To Joe and Lois Sposita on their 61st anniversary. * Danny's email address is dannyraskin@sbcglobalmet.