arts & life

th e b e s t o f
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At Your Service!

Crispelli’s modifies its West Bloomfield concept to please the dining public.

A

fter opening their second restaurant
a year ago, the owners of Crispelli’s
Restaurant and Bakery discovered
something they should change.
There were, as most new restaurants
would have, curious attendees who enjoyed
the food and were somewhat satisfied with
the service as it was … but many didn’t
return with any regularity.
Suddenly a bolt of lightning struck and
the owners realized the reason … That its
concept may not be as acceptable in the West
Bloomfield area as it is in other areas.
Because of this correct reasoning — and
no stubbornness — within three weeks, the
operation was modified … But it still was
not enough … and a gangbuster alteration
was eventually arrived at.
Smart restaurateurs are able to recognize
what is needed to help advance the success of
its operation in certain areas of existence …
It is to their distinct credit that obstinacy is
thrown out the window in favor of a chance
for more successful endeavor.
And so it has happened regarding
Crispelli’s short-lived concept in West
Bloomfield … To their credit, owners Joe
and Kenny Morelli, Mark Artinian and Glen
Wilson recognized that their concept was not
fully correct for this sector. Feb. 1 a major
change was made at their restaurant in the
West Bloomfield Plaza, Orchard Lake Road,

between 14 and 15 Mile Roads.
Monday-Thursday, 11-10; Friday
Instead of retaining the pre-
and Saturday, 11-11; Sunday,
vious idea as is at their other
11-9 … Seating is 100 in the
restaurant, of ordering solely
main dining room, 50 in the
from a blackboard and the food
Club Room and 50 in a heated
brought to the customers with
outdoor patio.
numbers to their table by a run-
Six gourmet pizzas plus build-
ner … from 4 p.m. until closing,
ing your own, with thin crust, a
seven nights a week, the entire
specialty, along with deep-dish
Crispelli’s restaurant in West
pies, are made in wood-stove
Danny Raskin
Bloomfield has now become a
brick ovens.
Senior Columnist
full-service operation by wait-
A pizzeria to be sure … but
persons.
with its own identity … To
At lunch time, those customers with a
acknowledge an improvement is important
short period to spend eating or who are just
… To correct it is wisdom.
in a hurry are definitely not forgotten …
WHILE WAITING FOR ITS permanent
Fast casual afternoon orders given from an
liquor transfer, Pepino’s will emulate its
overhead blackboard selection are brought
New Year’s Eve one-night-only opening by
by runners to tables with given numbers and another special event permit one-nighter …
still available as usual in the main dining
It’s this Saturday, Feb. 13, for Valentine’s Day
room … Along with waitperson full-service
… at Pepino’s new location on Orchard Lake
dining in the Club Room.
Road, Sylvan Lake (near Keego Harbor) …
The dishes now served at Crispelli’s in
Two seatings, 5:30 and 8 p.m., with music
West Bloomfield are such that one could eas- and dancing by PashNplay from 8 p.m. …
ily give it the connotation of being a pizzeria
Special limited menu and tables by reserva-
and more … For example, its 10-12-ounce
tion only, but 17-stool bar open on walk-in
Lake Superior whitefish is probably among
basis … (248) 624-1033.
the better tasting delights around, delicate
AFTER 60 YEARS, restaurant time may
but with a beautiful firm consistency that has finally have caught up with David Lum,
already drawn much popularity.
whose seemingly never-aging persona has
Also, homemade artisan breads including
always been the cause for much talk.
challah, etc., soups, salad dressings, pastas
The former co-owner and chef at the
and pastries along with numer-
onetime Rikshaw Inn (now occupied by
ous choice selections that include Shangri-La) with late barristers Joe Cohen
salads, sandwiches, paninis, gour- and Mort Eskin, is calling it quits on Feb.
met pizzas, three-cheese baked
16, and retiring from his Eurasian Grill on
macaroni, burgers, flank steak,
Haggerty, West Bloomfield.
French toast, beef, chicken dishes,
Memories of the former Rikshaw Inn that
etc., are come-back-for choices.
closed in 1994 after 21 years are recalled
Also among the featured items by some of its dishes that were still served
is the marinated salmon roasted
by David at his Eurasian Grill … the popu-
on a cedar plank … A special
lar lettuce wrap, which he called Chicken
dining variety for youngsters is
Soung at Eurasian, Dover Sole, Caesar-style
available as well.
salad made tableside at Rikshaw, Shrimp
Crispelli owners, Joe Morelli, Kenny Morelli, Mark
Crispelli’s in West Bloomfield
Saigon that David also prepared tableside at
Artinian, Glen Wilson
is a seven-day restaurant …
Rikshaw … Many will remember, too, that

tomato-based sizzling rice soup with shrimp
and chicken that was a big Rikshaw favorite
…or no doubt the Rikshaw corned beef fried
rice … Eurasian Grill had that, too.
IN ITS CABARET show form, Max
Pellicano’s always wonderful performance
with impressions of Elvis Presley was,
as usual, very good in the recent down-
stairs one-man presentation at Andiamo
Ristorante Bloomfield.
However, the performance is more or less
like the good appetizer to a delicious dinner.
The biggie is Max Pellicano’s full-blown
Las Vegas Revue with full orchestra and
show girls, etc., which will be at Andiamo
Celebrity Showroom, next door to its
Andiamo Italia Warren, between Mound and
Van Dyke … this Saturday at 8 p.m.
Call (586) 268-3200 … Untold numbers of
audiences have named this among the best
“Elvis” shows presented anywhere.
In the cabaret style, Pellicano narrates
between singing and recalling life as a young
Elvis Presley … He is backed by a piano and
guitar, but not garbed in extravagant-looking
outfits … At the cabaret, Max wore a casual
black leather jumpsuit.
OLDIE BUT GOODIE … A Jewish man
and a Chinese gentleman were conversing
… The Jewish man commented upon what a
wise people the Chinese are.
“Yes,” replied the Chinese gent, “our cul-
ture is more than 4,000 years old, but you
Jews are a very wise people, too.”
The Jewish man replied, “Yes, our culture
is over 5,000 years old.”
The Chinese man was incredulous. “That’s
impossible,” he replied. “Where did your
people eat for a thousand years?”
CONGRATS … To Murray Franklin on
his birthday … To Joan Zager on her 73rd
birthday … to Bluma Siegel on her birthday
… To Seymour “Sy” and Pearl Manello on
their 55th anniversary.

*

Danny’s email address is dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net.

NEW! EXPANDED FULL SERVICE DINING FROM 4PM DAILY

15%OFF

Only valid at West Bloomﬁeld location after 4pm.
Expires 3/1/16. Some restrictions may apply.

6690 Orchard Lake Road | West Bloomﬁeld, MI 48322 | (248) 254-4760 | www.crispellis.com

48 February 11 • 2016

