arts & life

th e b e s t o f
eve r y t h i n g

A Sparkling New Diamond

Jim Brady’s Detroit bistro in Royal Oak re-creates pizazz of famed Seven Mile days.

W

hen a new restaurant opens
ing of a “name” restaurant …
his own Vernor’s ice cream
under an already legendary
For sure, the title is important,
that mixes the ginger ale
name, that name will be a
but so are other features that
and ice cream in a delicious
draw as it evokes the glorious history of the
people may want for enjoyment
blend, Dave’s barbecue sauce
prior establishment … But after the initial
of their dollars spent.
using Faygo Rock & Rye, and
visit by curiosity seekers, etc., the ball for
About eight years ago, Tom
new menu items like the Bad
bringing diners back is thrown over to the
and Darin began talking about
Axe, made with onion strings
owners.
opening a restaurant together
and bacon, cauliflower, steak
The food, service and cleanliness combi-
… Tom had originally wanted
bites, filets, Big Fat Greek
nation always wins out for comeback visits
to open a sports bar/restaurant, Danny Raskin
Turkeyburger, maple miso
… Only then, will the true test of success be but after showing Darin a photo Senior Columnist
salmon, etc. that satisfy the
satisfied.
of his grandfather’s restaurant
mind and tummy.
In the case of the new Jim Brady’s Detroit, on Seven Mile, the seed was
Seating at the new Jim
which opened on South Main Street, Royal
sown when Darin said, “We’ve got to do
Brady’s Detroit is for 180, including a long
Oak, that test seems to have come again in
this!”
bar with leather seats and a counter with
the use of an exalted dining name.
And so, Jim Brady’s Detroit was born at
more leather seats … When warm weather
In this case,
the former location of
comes, an outdoor terrace will open with
additional restau-
the Oxford Inn … with 40 additional seats … Seven-day lunch and
rant theming has
a theme that follows
dinner hours are Sunday-Wednesday, 11
provided more
a tradition … and is
a.m.-midnight; Thursday-Saturday, 11-2 a.m.
than just a popular
in tune with modern
Dancing, featuring the Reefermen playing
name … It is much
ideas.
Motown, New Orleans, blues and rock, is
to the credit of its
Tom’s stepmother,
every Friday evening from 10 p.m.
owners, Tom Brady,
Certified Executive
Tom’s ambition since he was a 12-year-old
grandson of the
Chef Mary Brady, co-
washing dishes among other chores for his
Jim Brady whose
owner of Diamond Jim late father was to eventually open his own
neighborhood din-
Brady’s Bistro in Novi,
restaurant … That he and Darin have com-
ing spot, Diamond
is his and Darin’s res-
bined their thoughts and talents into a win-
Jim Brady’s, on
taurant consultant at
ning presentation is a distinct recognition of
Owners Darin Dingman and Tom Brady
Seven Mile near
Jim Brady’s Detroit …
their successful dining achievement.
Greenfield, Detroit,
Dad Tom Sr., passed
MARIA’S RISTORANTE, Walnut
was a stalwart of
on seven years ago.
Lake Road, West Bloomfield, is no longer
the 1950s … and Tom’s school friend since
In the new restaurant are so many
owned by Diana Walsh and Marin Oala …
the seventh grade in Farmington Hills,
remembrances of the original spot …
It is back in the hands of former owners
Darin Dingman.
Detroit street signs on booth poles, red
Domenick Morda and his general man-
Numerous generations may remember
velvet wallpaper, chandeliers, Charlie
ager son, Joe Morda … Diana is looking at
or be told about the original Diamond Jim
Brown burger, Seven Mile Caesar-style
another site in Troy.
Brady’s and its many highlights, but so
salad, jumbo shrimp, blackened barbecued
ON THE WAY INTO the hearts and
many more do not … Both appetites must
chicken & pineapple quesadilla, handmade
stomachs of so many people are the new
be appeased … and not with just food … To burger patties, Jim Brady’s jumbo shrimp,
community-minded additions of Shirlee
this end, Tom and Darin have succeeded.
working pay phone in the pink-throughout
Bloom’s kosher frozen foods at Busch’s
The new Jim Brady’s Detroit seems to
ladies room, etc.
Market at 14 Mile and Farmington roads,
have won out in wonderfully weaving
Along with new and old for lunch or din- West Bloomfield.
together a traditional legacy with highly
ner … homemade ice cream by Executive
A huge stock in a stand-up case off the
acceptable modern touches … A together-
Chef Dave Ogren, Culinary Institute of
back aisle includes … soups (lemon rice,
ness so many times neglected in the open-
America graduate, with flavors including
roasted vegetable, barley and cabbage),

Fine Italian Dining in a Casual Atmosphere

851-7000

10 OFF

OUR PETITE FILET DINNER
IS HAPPENING AGAIN!

%

Sunday, February 21 - Thursday, February 25

food bill

58 February 18 • 2016

10%
Off

food bill

Offer Good Friday-
Saturday, dine-in
only. Not valid
with any other offer.
With coupon only.
Not valid on holidays.

TOTAL BILL

(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

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2071810

15%
Off

Offer Good Sunday-
Thursday, dine-in
only. Not valid
with any other offer.
With coupon only.
Not valid on holidays.

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

Orchard Lake Rd. South of 14 Mile t Farmington Hills

RISTORANTE

Includes Petite Filet, antipasto plate, side of pasta,
salad, soup, potato and vegetable.
Dine-in only, not valid with any other offer.

*

Try Our New Boneyard
Beef Ribs!

SPOSITA’S

$ 22.95

chicken, matzah balls, potato and meat
knishes, beef and vegetarian chili, vegetarian
and beef chopped liver, beef and chicken kre-
plach, kishke, beef and turkey meatballs, beef
and turkey stuffed cabbage, etc. … All are
approved by the Council of Orthodox Rabbis.
ERRATA … All 18 $11.95 specials
at Golden Phoenix, Orchard Lake Road
north of 15 Mile, Sugar Tree Plaza, West
Bloomfield, include egg roll, chicken fried
rice, choice of three soups and hot tea …
New menu items now include regularly
priced entree of Thai honey chicken and
appetizer of seafood rolls.
10TH ANNUAL BIGGIE by JCC
Michigan-Florida Golf Tournament is set
for Tuesday, March 15, at Indian Spring
Country Club in Boynton Beach, Fla. …
This year’s honorees will be Earl and Renee
Ishbia for golf, lunch, games and dinner
banquet … More info and reservations by
calling Mort Plotnick, (248) 210-8489.
OLDIE BUT GOODIE … The senior
citizen drove his new car past the speed
limit … Looking in his rear-view mirror, he
saw a state trooper’s blue light and floored
the pedal. Suddenly he thought, “What am I
doing? I’m too old for this!” and pulled over.
The trooper walked up to the car, looked
at his watch and said, “Sir, my shift ends
in 30 minutes. Today is Friday. If you can
give me a new reason for speeding, one I’ve
never heard before, I’ll let you go without a
ticket.”
The elderly gent paused and replied,
“Three years ago, my wife ran off with a
state trooper. I thought you were bringing
her back.”
“Have a good day, sir,” said the trooper.
CONGRATS … To Jackie Headapohl on
her birthday … To Rhonda Ginsberg on her
birthday … To David Syme on his birthday
… To Michelle Sheridan on her birthday …
To Sharon Bender on her birthday.

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