arts & life th e b e s t o f eve r y t h i n g Back ... To The Future! Popular Pepino’s beats the fire to celebrate its 32nd anniversary. T here can never be enough words A&P store and Town Pump Lewiston and Henry Abrams to describe the tragic feeling that Tavern in Walled Lake … Joe individually texted me about comes when a fire shatters lives with had it so much easier when the former Larco’s in Sylvan utter devastation. just a fry cook at the Detroit Lake. We looked at it the next The anguish continues with memories of Athletic Club or cooking at the day and knew we had found the the disaster … If there is any consolation, old Book-Cadillac Hotel, Ye Olde right place for the new Pepino’s.” it is that the fire at Pepino’s in Walled Lake Wayne Club, etc., before becom- Theirs were among hundreds happened when nobody was there … It did, ing executive chef at the Ford of text, Facebook, emails and however, mark what so many feared might Penthouse World Headquarters voice messages from people that be the end of the much-loved Pepino’s … for its VIPs … And on weekends Danny Raskin made Kathy and Carol smile That the wonderful restaurant Helma and cooking at the Ford House for … “We’re hungry!”, “I miss my Senior Columnist Joseph Bernardi had shed sweat and tears to the late Henry Ford II and wife, rainbow trout!” “I want my open had seen its final days. Christina, and Lee Iacocca and bean salad!” … etc., etc., etc. … But incredibly, on the occasion of its 32nd his late wife, Mary. So many that gave even more determination anniversary, Pepino’s lives again … So many The huge favorite rainbow trout, still on to open again. did not truly realize the amazing fortitude the Pepino’s menu, was Joe’s own concoction “They gave us the boost that we needed of the late Helma and Joe Bernardi’s two and a pet recipe … Also its Cuban black so much!” says Kathy, whose thrill with daughter co-owners Kathy Kwiecinski and bean soup with rice, among others. Carol and Chris was the determined deci- Carol Carson, along with Kathy’s son-in-law Helma had stints as a waitress at the Park sion to reopen and also keep their employ- Dr. Chris Hutchinson … and their faithful Shelton Hotel, Seafood Grotto on Telegraph ees from being out of jobs … Of all the staff of employees … Few people thought and Palumbo’s on Eight Mile Road. Pepino’s employees, only a dishwasher has that Pepino’s would ever open again. But opening and running a restaurant? … not returned to the new location on Orchard That Pepino’s miraculously, completely At the beginning, far out of their admitted Lake Road in Sylvan Lake. and shockingly opened at a new location territory of dining talents. The many dining favorites are back … on a regular basis just three months after The Pepino’s fire last Nov. 2 was deter- rainbow trout, lamb chops, baby back ribs, the fire was unbelievable … Now open mined to be caused by an electrical mal- bean salad, garlic-cheese bread and home- again to celebrate its 32nd anniversary at function in a walk-in cooler … Pepino’s made date bread before each meal, frog legs, the new site on Orchard Lake Road, west of chefs had finished their prep work and left etc., just about everything on Pepino’s excel- Middlebelt, Sylvan Lake, it is here to stay. … just 30 minutes before. lent menu. That it was even able to That the Bernardi When Pepino’s amazingly opened again open at the new locale daughters of Joe and on Feb. 23, 15 weeks later, it was indeed a with special events per- Helma along with modern miracle … And so much welcom- mits on last New Year’s Chris opened again ing back to what had become a wonderful Eve and Valentine’s Day … and so soon after dining institution … on a 32nd anniversary until the liquor license the fire … was little that almost never came … How proud, too, transfer was approved, short of a miracle and of Kathy, Carol and Chris that Helma and was beyond belief. showed so much Joe would have been! It rarely is easy going determination on their MAIL DEPT. … “On my corner of in the restaurant busi- parts. the world, Northwestern and Beck Road, ness for the first time “While looking at Southfield, what used to be Sunrise Cafe, is … The late owners, Joe several places to maybe now an L. George’s Coney Island, open 24 and Helma Bernardi, sometime open again,” hours, seven days a week. I tried the Greek found this out after omelet with lamb and am addicted! Another Carol Carson, Dr. Chris Hutchinson and says Kathy, “George taking over the former Glassman, Andrea place, Magnolia Soul Food, is opening at the Kathy Kwiecinski Fresh, Hand-Rolled, Kettle-Boiled Bagels Hand-Sliced Lox Fully Loaded Deli & Grill FREE DELIVERY end of May at the plaza on Northwestern and 12 Mile, Southfield.” … Euni Rose. Euni is a remarkable lass … Where she gets the time to do so much volunteer work in Southfield is amazing… Library board, Celebrity Readers, Southfield Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Taskforce, Southfield Boys and Girls Club, State Fairgrounds Development Coalition, Southfield Cable 15, the Southfield Roundtable and much more! … If I left out the other million, I’m sorry … Truly amazing! SHORTIE OLDIE BUT GOODIES … • Arriving home from a party, a wife confronted her husband, “I’ll never go to another party with you.” He asked why. “Because you asked Mrs. Thomas how her husband was standing the heat. He’s been dead for two months.” • The hotels in Las Vegas are so elegant. The waitresses, waiters, bus boys, all look important. Why not? Last week, they were customers. • “Gambling brought my family closer together. I lost all my money, and we had to move into one room. Don’t misunderstand me. I have enough money to gamble with. Now, if I could only borrow some to live on.” • Newly married man to friends: “My wife treats me like a Greek god. She keeps giving me burnt offerings.” • A politician ran into the house yelling, “Honey, I’ve been elected.” His wife looked up from her knitting and said, “Honestly?” He stopped in his tracks and said, “Why bring that up?” CONGRATS … To Andy Rudick on his birthday … To Don Rudick on his birthday … To Arthur Dubin on his birthday … To Mike Pasick on his 60th birthday … To Robert “Robby” Sklar on his 65th birthday … To Jon Isenberg on his birthday. * Danny’s email address is dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net. NOW OPEN! Your NEW Neighborhood Pharmacy Franklin Health Mart Pharmacy FREE MEDICATION 3 off purchase of $ 2 off purchase of $ $20 or more $30 or more With Coupon Expires 6/9/16 With Coupon. Expires 6/9/16 8ZWe4RcUd_`hRgRZ]RS]VHVRcV_`hTReVcZ_X 33220 W. 14 Mile Road, West Bloomfield MI (At 14 & Farmington) 2098100 60 May 5 • 2016 CONSULTATION 20 OFF % ALL CASH PRESCRIPTIONS! Franklin Health Mart Pharmacy 29113 Northwestern Hwy. 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