Danny Raskin
Senior Columnist

raskin
the best of everything

A Sparkling Establishment
T

he ability to offer varied innova-
tions in food has many times saved 
numerous restaurants from an 
unwanted dread … the sudden lack of cus-
tomers … Among the reasons could be an 
inability to change or add to their menus 
… Even the best of dining spots must make 
alterations that change with the times … 
Especially when the kitchen has the ability 
to offer that change if needed or wanted.
Restaurants like Diamond Jim Brady’
s 
Bistro in Novi’
s Town Center on Novi 
Road 
off I-96 have no problem … Particularly 
not when it enjoys the kitchen magic of two 
executive chefs whose culinary expertise 
is beyond reproach … The capabilities to 
change the menu if needed would be and 
are old hat for executive chef/partners Mary 
Brady and Sharon Juergens. 
It is now celebrating its 65th anniversary, 
if in name only, from its start in 1954 on 
7 Mile Road … to its present site of nine 
years on Crescent Boulevard in Novi … 
where so many customers continue to lav-
ish wonderful comments on Diamond Jim 
Brady’
s Bistro … with its bevy of blissful 
foods, classic libations and all the exquisite 
charm of a bistro with the neighborhood 
feel of your local bar.
In the priceless culinary hands of Mary 
and Sharon, items such as potato-encrust-
ed whitefish, crispy flat bread with chevre 
cheese and prosciutto, large pots of spicy 
mussels or its famous age-old DJ Burger are 
readily available … along with appetizers 
like a beet hummus (yogurt-based with 
roasted beets, tahini, garlic and lemon, 

served with cucumber bites) and its grilled 
feta cheese with a basil chili oil, olives and 
tomato on a grilled baguette.
Diamond Jim Brady’
s Bistro, with its 
chefs of many talents, also makes its own 
rolls and breads … along with desserts like 
pecan cinnamon bread pudding, key lime 
pie, chocolate chip pretzel blondie, vanilla 
crème brulee and classic cream puffs. 
Best sellers on the menu include its 
pan-roasted Scottish salmon over sautéed 
fingerling potatoes topped with fresh aru-
gula, pistachios, mint and shaved parmesan 
cheese tossed in lemon oil … and the Steak 
Diane, a 6-ounce filet mignon with a mush-
room and shallot brandy demi-glace over 
buttermilk mashed potatoes and grilled 
asparagus.
It is easy to see why customers return for 
the warm hospitality and wonderful food 
… Especially the excellent custom-ground 
half-pound DJB Big Burger of yesteryears … 
and the house-made Diamond Jim Brady’
s 
Caesar salad version topped with Boursin 
cheese-filled chicken breast … along with its 
variety of chalkboard features.
Seating capacity is 130, including a cov-
ered patio and bar with 12 stools … Open 
Monday-Thursday lunch and dinner, 11-10, 
Friday and Saturday, 11-11 and Sunday 
brunch 11-4 and dinner 4-9.
It is little wonder why, seated among 
antiques from the original 1954 location on 
7 Mile Road, that Diamond Jim Brady’
s of 
today is so high on the list of restaurants to 
cherish.
REAR VIEW MIRROR … Villa Venice 
enjoyed its own reputation as a favorite 

Italian restaurant back in the 1970s, even 
though being near the almost-always-
packed original Lelli’
s Inn on Woodward in 
Detroit … Villa Venice, where the owner, 
Arminio Beltramett, was his own employee, 
too … He played the piano, waited on cus-
tomers, worked in the kitchen, was a fun 
host, etc. … But always Villa Venice seemed 
to play second fiddle to the nearby legend-
ary Lelli’
s Inn … Almost like it was with the 
Hy Horenstein Deli in Oak Park, where Hy 
was somewhat like Arminio, but didn’
t play 
the piano.
TICKETS CAN ALREADY BE bought 
for the Monday, June 15, appearance by 
Bob Anderson doing his Frank the Man 
impersonation of Frank Sinatra again … 
Only this time at the much more spa-
cious Fox Theatre … It was a huge sell-
out last year at Detroit Opera House … 
also brought then by Joe Vicari and his 
Andiamo Restaurants.
OLDIE BUT GOODIE …Two elderly 
ladies were discussing their husbands over 
tea. “I do wish that my Ernie would stop 
biting his nails. He makes me terribly ner-
vous,” said one.
The other lady replied, “My Sol used to 
do the same thing, but I broke him of the 
habit.” 
“How?” her friend asked. 
“I hid his teeth!”
CONGRATS … To Dr. Scott Sircus on 
his birthday … To Lily Ann Kormen on her 
birthday. ■

Danny’
s email address is 

dannyraskin2132@gmail.com.

Creative chefs 
keep Diamond 
Jim Brady’
s Bistro 
shining bright.

Mary Brady and Sharon Juergens

March 21 • 2019 53
jn

DIAMOND JIM BRADY’
S BISTRO FACEBOOK

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