arts & life
the b e s t o f
e ve r y t h i n g
The Wonderful Whitney
Dine in luxurious elegance in this beautiful Midtown mansion.
P
OTPOURRI …
AMONG LOCAL
at selling fish or neckties.
Taking over a restaurant that has
STALWARTS, Star Deli con-
Among the better performers,
enjoyed mediocre success is not usu- tinues to quietly go about its
and I do mean better, is Max
ally considered to be much of a challenge
daily business of being one of
Pellicano, who again showed
… But if it’s one that had previously been
America’s finest little carryout-
why he is considered among
blessed with a great reputation, it provides a only delicatessens … Still, at its
America’s foremost impression-
dare that many times proves to be too much small, total 1,200-square-foot
ists of the complete Elvis Presley.
to overcome.
building on West 12 Mile, just
Those folks who couldn’t get in
This does not seem to be the case with
west of Telegraph, Southfield,
or missed Max at the recent one-
the Whitney on Woodward at Canfield,
owned by Sid Neuman, Star’s
man cabaret show downstairs at
Danny Raskin
Detroit, where Bud Liebler has many times
reputation has never wavered.
Andiamo
Bloomfield Ristorante,
Senior Columnist
been commended for his and son Patrick’s
Only different face might be
failed to catch another wonderful
extreme efforts in maintaining the restau-
the presence of Shirah Farber,
performance by him.
rant’s exalted status.
granddaughter of Sid and his late wife, Rose
But they can fret not … Max Pellicano
Back in 1894, when
… She is the daughter of
will soon appear again … This time in a
lumber baron David
their daughter Miriam
complete Las Vegas-style extravaganza at
Whitney lived amidst
Farber.
the Andiamo Celebrity Showroom, next
its luxurious sur-
From the diminutive
door to Andiamo Ristorante, 14 Mile,
roundings, there was
Star Deli building may
between Mound and Van Dyke, Warren …
little thought that one
come some of the best
for Valentine’s Day weekend … on Saturday,
day his house would
delicatessen sandwiches,
Feb. 13 … Also for those who want to see
become one of the most
carryout and tray catering
more of Max’s show in all its lavish Las
elegant restaurants in
products in this region
Vegas finery … Tickets will start at $25-$45
this region.
… Through the years, its
… For reservations, call (586) 268-3200.
When the Whitney
customers listed some
WHEN NEW OWNERS take over an
opened in 1986, cyni-
of the community’s fin-
established ethnic restaurant, it is consid-
cal and critical persons
est names … Mike Ilitch,
ered most important that its customers
maintained that no way The Whitney’s Bud Liebler and son Mickey Shapiro, Eugene
receive the same dishes they have enjoyed
could the restaurant live Patrick Liebler
Applebaum, Sid Forbes, the on previous visits … Also, as an added
up to its historic ornate
late David Hermelin and
incentive, owners like Arthur and Ava Fung,
surroundings … How
the late William Davidson,
at Golden Phoenix Chinese Restaurant,
wrong they were!
etc., in a list that would
Orchard Lake Road, north of 15 Mile, Sugar
To speak of the Whitney solely as a for-
do proud to any of America’s communal
Tree Plaza, West Bloomfield, make many
mer elegant mansion would be the more
stalwarts.
comeback friends with new dining items
romantic thing … But original entrepre-
Star continues to cook its corned beef, pas- not seen there before.
neurs Dick Kughn, John McCarthy and Ron trami, tongue, roast beef, etc. … and makes
Further price reductions on 20 dinner
Fox, and now Bud and Patrick Liebler, have
its own albacore tuna fish salad, coleslaw,
entree combinations that include egg roll
done much more than that.
potato salad, seafood salad, pasta salad, rice
and chicken fried rice, Thai selection addi-
The same wood as its original is still
pudding, fruit salad, etc., in a large list of
tions, and now appetizer seafood rolls of
there, every type imaginable, with out-
homemade delicatessen products.
crab, cream cheese and shrimp, and new
standing craftsmanship … After all, David
THROUGHOUT THE YEARS there
dinner entree of crispy chicken and mixed
Whitney did make his fortune as a lumber
have been many performers who have done vegetables make it even better.
tycoon … Other beautiful appointments
vocal impressions of celebrities, like Rich
REARVIEW MIRROR DEPT. … Oscar,
throughout are coupled with excellent food
Little, etc., but not that many extra good
the 3-pound lobster in the tank at the for-
and service to provide wonderful lunch,
ones who do complete impressions of that
mer Crabbie Joe’s in Dearborn, swam lei-
dinner and Sunday brunching experiences.
person’s act … Many of the latter are better
surely without a care to interrupt his restful
Sweeten T H I S
VALENTINE’S DAY
CALL FOR
RESERVATIONS
248.737.7463
WEEKEND
FEBRUARY 12 TH -14 TH
LIVE MUSIC
FEAT. JOANNE ROACH
A CLASSIC&SOOTHING
AMBIANCE
56 February 4 • 2016
CHEF’S FEATURES
EXCLUSIVLEY OFFERED
VALENTINE’S WEEKEND
ONLY
ELITE SERVICE
DEDICATED TO CREATING
A MEMORABLE DINING
EXPERIENCE
life … After all, Oscar was treated as king of
the tank by customers young and old and
by Crabbie Joe owners Joe and Nan Bird …
Everyone made a fuss as they watched him
swim with head held high.
But happiness one day turned to sadness
… Nobody told a new waitress about Oscar
… and he was the dinner one evening for an
unknowing customer and his wife.
WEEKLY EVENING SPECIALS are now
a feature at Triple Nickel, South Woodward,
Birmingham … Mondays, Burger Night
with fries and domestic beer, $12 …
Tuesdays, Rib Night offerings of half slab,
coleslaw, fries and glass of house wine, $16
… Wednesdays, Pasta Night with chef ’s
choice and glass of house wine, $16.
OLDIE BUT GOODIE … Three sons
leave their homeland, prosper abroad and
discuss the gifts they have been able to give
their aged mother.
The first one says, “I built a big house for
our mother.”
The second says, “I sent her a Mercedes
with a driver.”
David, the youngest, says “Remember
how our mother enjoys reading the Bible?
Now she can’t read very well, so I sent her
a remarkable parrot that recites the whole
Bible. Mama just need name the chapter
and verse.”
Soon a letter of thanks came from their
mother. To the first son she said, “The house
was built too big. I live in only one room.”
To the second son she said, “I am too old
to travel. I stay mostly at home and rarely
use the Mercedes. The driver is a pain.”
But to David she said, “Thank you. The
chicken was delicious!”
CONGRATS … To Chuck Bennett on
his birthday … To Luciano Del Signore on
his birthday … To Sherry Shanbom on her
birthday … To Jay and Marion Grant on
their 73rd anniversary.
*
Danny’s email address is dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net.