arts & life the b e s t o f e ve r y t h i n g All Aboard At Wixom Station! Restaurateur brothers stay on track with yet another culinary success. W Presented by The Farmington Players February 12-March 5 Tickets: 248-553-2955/farmingtonplayers.org Group Rates Available Sponsored by Weinstein Jewelers “We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same.” ~ Anne Frank 84 January 28 • 2016 * Danny’s email address is dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net. Fine Italian Dining in a Casual Atmosphere SPOSITA’S RISTORANTE 15% Off food bill Offer Good Sunday-Thursday, dine-in only. Not valid with any other offer. With coupon only. Not valid on holidays. 10% Off food bill Writings from Anne Frank’s diary, along with survivor accounts are interwoven to create an impassioned story of the lives of people persecuted under Nazi rule. This Tony Award winning adaptation is a reminder not only of mankind’s dark past, but also the triumph of the human spirit. And don’t think it isn’t appreciated by them … and noticed by so many customers … Agata is a joy to watch as she greets people at tables, constantly assists other waitpersons when needed, etc. … Little wonder why Luciano upgraded his extremely popular serv- er to evening maitre d’/manager … Agata’s efficiency and vivacious smile amid a bub- bling personality are trademarks that custom- ers and Bacco workers have always admired. BEST BET OF THE WEEKEND … Max Pellicano doing his great impression of Elvis Presley in the one-man cabaret show down- stairs at Andiamo Bloomfield, Telegraph, south of 15 Mile … this Saturday, Jan. 30, 8 p.m. … Tickets $40, show only; $69.95 with four-course dinner … For reservations, call (248) 865-9300. THIRD LOCATION OF Crispelli’s Bakery & Pizzeria will be in the former location of Larco’s and renamed Big Beaver Tavern, Troy … Present Crispelli’s locales are West Bloomfield and Berkley … Troy opening is slated for this spring. MAKING ROUNDS … To J. Baldwin’s, 18 Mile Road, Clinton Township, for owner/chef Jeff Baldwin’s fire-roasted lamb chops … To Bill’s, Woodward, Bloomfield Hills, for prime rib hash. OLDIE BUT GOODIE DEPT. … A fellow was starting to tell his joke at a party, “Two elderly Jews were on their way ….” One of the listeners said, “Why do so many jokes have to begin with Jews?” The storyteller apologized and said, “Two elderly Chinese men were on the way to the synagogue to see their rabbi …” CONGRATS … To Dr. Stuart Kirschenbaum on his birthday … To Storm Kirschenbaum on his birthday … To Barbara Cohen on her birthday … To Peter Ginopolis on his birthday … To Jim Hiller on his birth- day. Offer Good Friday-Saturday, dine-in only. Not valid with any other offer. With coupon only. Not valid on holidays. (248) 538-8954 33210 W. 14 Mile Rd In Simsbury Plaza, just east of Farmington Rd. West Bloomfield Mon-Thurs: 4pm-10pmtFri: 11am-11pm Sat: 4pm-11pmtSun: 4pm-9pm 1973720 The Diary of Anne Frank Photo credit Jan Cartwright hen brothers Frank and Tony And, of course, some of their “Where should we go?” … There Shustari worked many years ago Italian specialties are also fea- is never a good answer because at the one-time original Mitch’s tured … like the chicken fettuc- there are so many choices for so on Cass-Elizabeth Road in Keego Harbor … cine Alfredo, tortellini, chicken many reasons. Or even while owning Pizza Square on Nine Parmesan, eggplant Parmesan, Like Moro’s Dining on Allen Mile and Scotia, Oak Park, and Pizza Square etc. Road, just west of Southfield, carryout in the Tel-Ex Shopping Center on At each location of the in Allen Park, one of the better Telegraph in Southfield … biggest laugh of “Shustari Restaurant Chain,” the eateries where it is popular and, any day might have been that one day they menus are somewhat similar but yet, has a quiet-like anonymity would become dining entrepreneurs of many different at each spot … … with … Moro’s stopped being a secret Danny Raskin restaurants. so-called different regions of years ago … but today is still Even when their Alfoccino family res- the world for its food, Mexican, Senior Columnist rather unknown to numerous taurant opened on the corner of Haggerty Italian, American, etc. … One folks. and Grand River, Farmington Hills, seating of the features is a fillet sandwich that may With seating for only 75, owner Tom only 65 and then 200 … it was to be the not be found in too many places, with grilled Moro would rather have a very good, quiet beginning of something big … Next came onion, sauteed mushroom sauce, cheese, etc., little restaurant, which might be just about Alfoccino No. 2 in Auburn on a fresh bun. everything his kind of eatery should be. Hills, followed by Loccino Most of the recipes are Delicious, well-prepared, high-quality Italian Grill & Bar at the from Frank and Tony … food, excellent service, available tableside former Palm restaurant on Their feeling is that with dining, salad with entree prepared at the Crooks in Troy. each location, secrets of table without charge, low prices, etc. … The laughter of years their preparations and Italian entrees that so many people want like back is forgotten as Frank ingredients are not moved veal Colombo, shrimp Bordelaise flamed and Tony celebrate the if ever kitchen employees with brandy and Madeira wine, beef Maison first anniversary of their are changed … Both spend sauteed with a tomato, cream sherry and fourth restaurant … Wixom much time in the dining natural beef-juices sauce … or choice fil- Station, Pontiac Trail rooms and kitchens of all lets, chicken poulette, etc. … hand-sliced between Beck and Wixom their dining operations. chateaubriand for two or more tableside Brothers Frank and Tony roads in Wixom … It is the Seating as of the first from a rolling cart, flaming desserts, quaint, Shustari former location of Volare anniversary of their Wixom but elegant, like the free bowl of fresh fruit restaurant, which moved Station restaurant is 175 brought after the meal. across the street. dining room, 20 in a lounge and 12 bar If there is a short wait, it is certainly not The varied styles of cuisine at their counter stools … Seven-day hours for lunch by house desire or neglect … Reservations Wixom restaurant deviate some from the and dinner are Monday-Thursday, 11-10; are not accepted, but people do not mind the brothers’ Italian-themed dining spots … Friday, 11-11, Saturday, 11:30-11; Sunday, wait knowing what dining goodies may be in Contemporary American choices like fish 11:30 -9. store for them. tacos with blackened tilapia, chicken pic- Frank and Tony Shustari going from GOOD RESTAURANT PLEASER … cata, wood-grilled salmon, barbecued ribs, making pizza to owning and operating four She was a server herself for about 11 years at rosemary-seasoned chicken, New York strip restaurants is another of those wonderful upscale Bacco Ristorante on Northwestern steak, flatiron steak, lightly breaded chicken success stories … And one certainly where Highway, Southfield, and the past two breast, fillet cut to order, flat, thin-crusted the question might be most apropos … If years, give or take, its evening maitre d’/ pizzas topped with homemade chunky and where next? manager … So it is little wonder why Agata tomato sauce, etc., and choice of numerous ONE OF THE BIGGEST questions we Lombardo-Bogle is so constantly helping toppings … plus so much more, including all have of any day regarding restaurants is one waitpersons at Luciano Del Signore’s popular sandwiches coming with French fries. that will undoubtedly never go away … It is, Italian eatery.