raskin
the best of everything
Turning 21
A
n eatery celebrating a 21st birth-
day is talked about so much it has
become old hat to many … This
is called restaurant togetherness … Few
restaurants realize if they have this.
Such as one like Andiamo West on 15
Mile and Telegraph, Bloomfield Township
Danny Raskin
… It has become more or less a standard
Senior Columnist
of prime togetherness that is great in the
restaurant business.
Andiamo West Wonderful food is an absolute must, but
demonstrates this should go for almost any restaurant …
Good food may not be enough … Yes, it is
restaurant important … Excellent service, too … Both
togetherness. are combined to provide restaurant/customer
togetherness, which is what you feel when
you sit at an Andiamo West table.
I’m not talking about hand shaking togeth-
erness … but a true closeness between cus-
tomers and the restaurant … An excellent
eatery like Andiamo West has a silent har-
mony that seems to meld between the dining
establishment and its clients.
At the beginning, 21 years
ago, it was originally touch-
and-go when owner Joe Vicari
bought the former Machus
Red Fox locale from the Harry
Machus family … It was a
fine establishment, but at too
many times only another fair
restaurant … However, as the
years rolled by after it became
Andiamo West, a sort of fellow-
ship continued to build.
People kept coming back for
the Dover sole, house-butchered
Rocky Mestari, Bill Hall and Joe Vicari steaks, summer salads, creamed
spinach, etc. … Andiamo West had arrived
… It developed a dedicated closeness with
many other regulars who continually came
back in silent camaraderie.
Joe Vicari and his staff provided the food
and service demanded of a stalwart dining
spot once he obtained the services of his
late Corporate Chef Aldo Ottoviani for his
growing empire … But Aldo certainly could
not be everywhere … So, fine executive chefs
like today’s Bill Hall became wonderful assets
to Andiamo West’s kitchen … Chefs like Bill
are priceless additions with uncanny ability
with dishes that include the Jewish favorites
on Andiamo West’s L’Chaim menu … along
with stalwart managers … and servers … All
actually silent givers of what it takes to make
a good solid restaurant.
Andiamo West had to grow up from the
stained, lookers-only reputation of the dis-
appearance of UAW’s Jimmy Hoffa from
its property … While there, many lookers
would grab a bite to eat … and become reg-
ulars.
Andiamo West became noted as a show-
place of wonderful food, service and ambi-
ence … not just another restaurant … The
years have brought more and more strength
… The group of fine-dining establishments
like Andiamo West, celebrating its 21st anni-
versary, kept growing into what today is a
fine number with true restaurant together-
ness.
THE NEW ULTRA-lavish Sunday brunch
at Station Square, Coolidge, one block
south of Maple, Troy … is introduced for
two Sundays at $13.95 … Sunday, Dec. 2,
and Sunday, Dec. 9 … 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. …
All- you-can-eat … More than 50 items,
including prime rib, shrimp, salmon, chick-
en, pasta, ham, bacon, sausage, French toast,
pancakes, omelets, excellent house-made
desserts, etc. … then back to the regular
$17.99.
READER MINI REVIEW … from Dennis
Silber, Boca Raton, Fla. … “One of our
favorite go-to restaurants in Boca Raton is
synonymous with the name Renzo for over
25 years. Dating to 1990, the original Renzo’s,
with a 150 person-capacity, is the place to go
for its food and many celebrities.
“Faced with family entanglements in 2015,
Renzo split away from the original facility
into a different kind of dining facility a few
miles away, Renzo’s Pizzeria Restaurant, Bar
& Grill, 6900 N. Federal Highway. It is small-
er, more casual, with great recipes from the
original Renzo’s at comfy pricing and with a
piano room. It features various chicken vari-
eties … parmesan, marsala, gorgonzola, fresh
seafoods, Liverness, Francese or branzino,
veal dishes and fresh daily-made pastas along
with steaks and chops and its 25-year famous
ricotta cheesecake.”
OLDIE BUT GOODIE QUICKIES …
“Waiter, would you please get your thumb
out of my soup?” … “So sorry, sir. But I
have a boil and the doctor told me to keep it
warm.” … “Waiter, this soup tastes funny! …
“Then why aren’t you laughing?”
CONGRATS …To Esther Ingber on her
birthday … To David Barr on his birthday …
To Dr. Fred Bernstein on his 90th
birthday. ■
Danny’s email address is dannyraskin2132@gmail.com.
“When we are no longer able to change a situation —
we are challenged to change ourselves”
- Viktor Frankl
32906 Middlebelt Rd (at 14 Mile)
Please see our menu at
www.johnnypomodoros.com
Specializing in Adult and
Adolescent Psychotherapy
To make an appointment call
(248) 855- 0007
Johnny Pomodoro’s is your ONE STOP SHOP for all of your needs!
Shiva Trays, Deli Nosh Dairy & Deli Trays, Marty’s Cookie Trays, Johnny’s Signature Fruit & Veggie Trays
Delivery Available
CALL JOHNNY’S FOR TRADITIONAL AND NON-TRADITIONAL SHIVA TRAYS.
Monica K. Goodwin, L.L.M.S.W.
Adult & Adolescent Psychotherapist
5777 West Maple Road, Suite 175
West Bloomfi eld, MI 48322
MKGoodwin24@gmail.com
P: (248) 932-4325 F: (248) 932-4326
DAIRY TRAY
MEAT TRAY
FRUIT TRAY
MEDITERRANEAN TRAY
jn
MARTY'S COOKIES
November 29 • 2018
65