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Chai Anniversary

Danny Raskin

Senior Columnist

Assaggi

Mediterranean

Bistro marks

milestone.

George Gize and Josie Knapp

Driving around looking for
a location to put their dream,
Josie Knapp and George Gize
knew that money was scarce
and a lavish restaurant by them
would be out of the question.
While driving along the not-
yet-fully developed Nine Mile
Road, west of Woodward locale,
they saw a little site with a for
sale sign in front.
George and Josie had vowed
to someday own their own
restaurant and a wonderful
appearance suddenly took
light-bulb shape … It was the
beginning of a happy vision
that would come true.
They will never forget
the date … and so May 11
is that much coveted time
when they opened what was
to become a major destina-
tion for many to enjoy … the
dream of owning their own
Assaggi Mediterranean Bistro
… Nine Mile Road just west of
Woodward, Ferndale .
Their wonderful Assaggi,
open for dinner only, Tuesdays
through Thursday, 5 p.m.-9:30
p.m., Friday and Saturday to 11
p.m. … with the cozy 96 seating
for some of the better presenta-
tions of house-made gnocchi
sautéed with a wild mushroom
cream sauce, double-cooked
Moroccan duck legs, the ever-
popular chicken Francese,
grilled lamb chops, etc. … and
four bar stools … An inviting
feature is an open kitchen that
displays a large wood-fired
oven … The soft elegance of

Celebrating our
20 th :FBSJO
8FTU#MPPNåFME

cleanliness includes walls with
modern artwork created by
local artists.
This combination of Italian
country, French and touch of
Lebanese combine to bring
wonderful dishes that also
include their own version of the
highly popular Cioppino sea-
food stew with lobster, mussels,
shrimp, Israeli couscous, basil
pesto, etc., in a choice tomato
broth … upscale dining at rea-
sonable prices. Prior to the lus-
cious dinner, you might want
to have some vegetarian grape
leaves or Prince Edward Island
mussels … or a chopped or full-
bodied lettuce wedge with red
onion, bacon, eggs and a blue
cheese dressing … and don’t be
surprised to see lentil pancakes
with a sherry mushroom sauce
and beet chips for an appetizer.
Josie and George are the
kind of folks that people enjoy
… Always smiling and greet-
ing people with highly gra-
cious welcomes to their dream
come true … You won’t find
too many like them … or the
clean, gracious dining menu
presentations … than those
at their highly-touted Assaggi
Mediterranean Bistro on its
18th birthday.
WHEN DINING OUT, do not
leave tip money or whatever
on the table … It is many times
taken or reduced by others
… Most experienced servers
appreciate this.
FROM THE TIME he left
Detroit for Las Vegas in his

Volkswagen Beetle, former
localite Bob Anderson, world-
famous impressionist who
will do “Frank. The Man. The
Music” at Detroit Opera House
… Saturday, June 16, 8 p.m. …
will also astound attendees
with his amazing transforma-
tion into a Frank Sinatra look-
like … It takes two hours for the
change by Kazu Tsuji, this year’s
Academy Award-winner for his
work on Darkest Hour, the film
about Winston Churchill star-
ring Gary Oldman … Then Bob
does the rest … the posture, the
walk, the smile, the manner-
isms and the voice.
Bob, by the way, comes from
a family locally of legendary
piano players … Three uncles,
Jimmy Stevenson was musi-
cal director for Soupy Sales at
WXYZ-TV … Danny Stevenson,
a fine jazz pianist … and Bobby
Stevenson, among the best on
those ivories … Also, his cousin
Billy Stevenson, noted cocktail
key tickler who many will recall
playing for a number of Bob’s
singing gigs here.
“I saw Bob Anderson at the
Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas
and was blown away by his
show two days in a row. I
thought I was watching Frank
Sinatra himself,” says Joe Vicari,
whose Andiamo Restaurants
are bringing him in.
Detroit Opera House holds
2,700 people and tickets are
going fast … Looks like a sellout
… Call Detroit Opera House or
Ticketmaster.

TWO VARIED DINING oper-
ation styles for Nino and Liz
Cutraro … Their ultra-fine Bella
Piatta restaurant on Townsend,
Birmingham, and the opening
of their fourth Wahlburger eat-
ery with a gala shindig in Taylor
… In the works for them, too, is
Beaumont Hospital’s new addi-
tion coming in Royal Oak, and
in London, England … Movie
star Mark Wahlberg certainly
picked a wonderful couple as
partners in carrying on his fam-
ily name.
SO GOOD TO finally see
traditional noodles appearing
in more chicken soup being
served … Those little pasta
twirls or whatever are not so
frequent … thank heavens!
OLDIE BUT GOODIE
Shorties … The hotels in Las
Vegas are so elegant, the wait-
resses, waiters and busboys
all look important. Why not?
Last week they were customers
… Newlywed man to friends,
“My wife treats me like a Greek
god. She keeps giving me burnt
offerings.” … The bum asked a
fellow, “Give me $10 till payday.”
“When is payday?” asked the
gent. “I don’t know,” said the
bum. “You’re the one working!”
CONGRATS … To Eleanor
Sims on her birthday … To Drs.
Scott Sircus and wife, Linda, on
their 33rd anniversary. •

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

“I am thrilled to announce the opening of my new
private practice in West Bloomfield”

RESTAURANT

10% OFF

KIDS EAT FREE

TOTAL FOOD BILL

Each free meal from children’s
menu valid with purchase
one meal from regular menu

With Coupon. Not good with
other offers. Dine-in Only.
Expires: 7/5/18

(12 and under)

.0/%"
0/-: :

With Coupon. Not good with other
offers. Dine-in Only. Expires: 7/5/18

4301 ORCHARD LAKE ROAD
8&45#-00.'*&-%t$30448*/%41-";"

I specialize in adult and adolescent
psychotherapy and am currently
accepting new clients and referrals.

The decisions you make
today can impact all of
your tomorrows.

248-538-6000

Monica K. Goodwin, L.L.M.S.W.
Adult & Adolescent Psychotherapist
5777 West Maple Road, Suite 175

Hours: Monday-Saturday 11am-10pm
Sunday 12pm-9pm
www.uptownparthenon.com

MKGoodwin24@gmail.com
P: (248) 932-4325 F: (248) 932-4326

jn

May 10 • 2018

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