raskin 75

th

an

the best of everything

niversary

Hello, J Bird

Danny Raskin

Senior Columnist

New name.

Same great

food and

service.

Jeremy and Paula Grandon

Its only change is to the
name, J Bird Smoked Meats,
taking over the former Yard
Bird comfort food restaurant
while celebrating its third anni-
versary.
Same owners of one-time
upscale Jeremy eatery, former
Yard Bird and now J Bird are
still husband-and-wife owners
Jeremy and Paula Grandon …
And at the same locale on Cass
Lake Road, Keego Harbor.
A recent visit to the newly
named J Bird was very enlight-
ening and revealed an even
better easy-going dining experi-
ence than before to accompany
the new name.
Many may remember a time
when men wouldn’t think of
going to a fine dining restaurant
without a tie or jacket … and
women would never be seen
at a high-end eatery wearing
slacks or a stick-out blouse.
And certified executive chefs
like Jeremy Grandon, a former
graduate from the esteemed
Culinary Institute of America,
would prepare elegant items of
cuisine.
But Jeremy and Paula eventu-
ally saw the writing on the wall
… and were quick to redirect
his talents.
That feeling among them and
others has grown stronger than
ever … as comfort food and
relaxed easy wear have taken
the culinary world by storm,
and dishes like meat loaf, beef
short ribs, smoked turkey

breast, appetizer of burnt bris-
ket ends, fried chicken, barbe-
cued ribs, best-sellers of beef
brisket or Nashville hot chicken,
etc., done the Jeremy and Paula
way are now the ordered norm.
Among the big sellers is its
very popular J Burger that is a
favorite takeover item from the
12 years as Jeremy.
Many places like J Bird have
increased their orders from
purveyors since casual dining
has taken a tremendous hold
on the purse strings of many.
Seating at J Bird is about 80,
plus 15 stools at the bar and
outdoor seating with heaters
for another 50.
Among Chef Jeremy’s culinary
talents are six barbecue sauces
on all tables … and the ability
to make anything requested as
long as he’s given proper notice.
Also, a very important point
is the always on-premises own-
ers … Jeremy in his beloved
kitchen and Paula conducting
the front area with the dedi-
cated precision and care of a
doting mother … Her gracious
ways are extremely pleasant
and knowing her business has
made many people happy.
Plus its regular lunch and
dinner hours, brunch is served
every Saturday and Sunday
until 2 p.m.
Also new at J Bird is a full-
service catering ability that
takes in groups of any size …
and has its own separate name
of J Bird Catering.

A careful look around noticed
something having nothing to
do with food or service … It is
the spotless cleanliness that
continues to bring Jeremy and
Paula so much pride … Plus a
dedicated goodness to their fine
service staff members who are
full of smiles and fast efficiency.
MAIL DEPT. … “This year,
as part of an annual tradition
of West Bloomfield restaurants
giving some of their income to
the West Bloomfield Library,
was the Lodge restaurant on
Orchard Lake Road. I had my
usual Greek salad and it was
wonderful. My son, Udi, a pedi-
atrician-actor, enjoyed his cher-
ry turkey burger, which he said
was to him lighter and tastier,
yet as filling, as a regular burger.
Another son, Avi, a board mem-
ber and library worker, had a
delicious Reuben. Also with us
was Ken Macon, a member of
the library board, who loved
his Lodge Burger with fries. We
hope other restaurants will do
this for a portion of the check,
too. It means so much in help-
ing this worthy cause.” … Rachel
Kapen.
READER REMEMBRERS
… From Dennis Green … “I
was only 8 years old when
introduced to Chinese food at
Atlantic Gardens. It was next to
the Avalon Theater on Linwood,
and then the problem began.
What to have? Everything
looked so good. But I will
never forget my first choice of

Refi ned Resale

shrimp with lobster sauce and
still make it one of my favorite
orders.”
REARVIEW MIRROR …
The Hawaiian tiki figure at
the entrance of a couple of
Downtown Detroit spots some-
times got more attention than
the place … Legend had it that
rubbing its belly brought good
luck … One customer rubbed
it too hard and the doorstop
fell and broke his foot … Lou
Glickoff bought his girlfriend
a miniature one as a remem-
brance after both rubbed it and
were married.
OLDIE BUT GOODIE …
Man: “Do you serve breakfast
here?”
Waitress: “Sure. What’ll it
be?”
Man: “Let me have watery
scrambled eggs, burnt toast and
weak, lukewarm coffee.”
Waitress: “Whatever you say,
sir.”
Man: “Are you doing any-
thing while that order is going
through?”
Waitress: “Why, sir?”
Man: “Please sit here and nag
me awhile. I’m feeling home-
sick.”
CONGRATS … To Sari
Cicurel on her birthday … To
Eugene Applebaum on his
birthday … To Joe Sposita on his
birthday … To Ken Goss on his
birthday. •

Danny’s email address is
dannyraskin2132@gmail.com.

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jn

November 23 • 2017

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