August 8 • 2019 41
jn

raskin
the best of everything

Danny Raskin
Senior Columnist

Lakeside Fun
A

nother unknown to many, the Joe 
Vicari Restaurant Group opera-
tion is not only a restaurant … 
Celebrating its ninth season on Lake St. 
Clair, the site was the formerly owned 
Jack’
s Waterfront that took a time-hon-
ored name in the leisure living world … 
Brownie’
s On The Lake, 24214 Jefferson 
Ave., St. Clair Shores.
It still has nightly live entertainment, 
and dancing in the moonlight is an eve-
ning thrill … Brownie’
s may not be a 
full-fledged restaurant per se, but it does 
have good food, including signature items 
like lobster mac & cheese and the high-
ly acclaimed Brownie Burger … These, 
along with surf and turf, cedar-planked 
white fish and pan-fried Great Lakes 
perch, make for delicious eating.
Brownie’
s On The Lake is a thrill with 
Detroit’
s excellent lakeside views, both 
indoors and outdoors … along with three 
well-stocked bars … outside tiki, covered 
waterfront room and a main bar for joyful 
happy hours … Open-air seats include 
heaters, if necessary, on cool evenings.
Located on Jefferson Avenue, Brownie’
s 
entertainment now includes many favor-
ite names and annual lineups of parties 
and contests, such as bikini contests and 
others … Its Happy Hour is held every 
Monday through Friday from 3-6 p.m. … 
with 30 percent off all drinks and appe-
tizers.
Many will remember when it was 
owned by Joe “Brownie” Engel and his 
wife, Maria … When Joe and Maria 
retired in 1970, Al Wagner took over and 

knew nothing about the restaurant busi-
ness and later had Marvin Chaben, who 
did, as his general manager … Today’
s 
Brownie’
s On The Lake is already noted 
for its good food, with dishes people will 
remember along with many of today’
s 
favorites … including Brownie’
s noted 
New England clam chowder. 
Its fine reputation for fun with food 
brings many for lunch, happy hours, din-
ner, etc. … including sights along St. Clair 
Shores off Jefferson … The wonderful 
name of Brownie’
s On The Lake through-
out the years and these last nine are a 
grand tribute to its goodness.
MANY OUTDOOR SPOTS now cater 
to basic canine needs, and more places 
are offering amenities such as fanciful 
water bowls and biscuits … Some places 
in New York even serve dogs a steak … 
Others there have dog menus featuring 
turkey breast, chopped beef and an anti-
pasti tray … But according to the New 
York Times, special menus aside, cooks in 
even the finest restaurants have become 
accustomed to making dinner for dogs … 
Busboys will fill water bowls as routinely 
as water glasses.
It upgraded its dog serving ware from 
aluminum takeout containers to vintage 
dog bowls … The result? … A doggie café 
society rivaling that of Paris, where city 
regulations have never excluded Fifi from 
joining her master at the table … Dogs 
remember places where they’
ve been 
spoiled. More than one dog has led its 
owner to dinner.
REARVIEW MIRROR … When 

Shirley Bloom served fried matzah 15 
different ways during Passover when at 
the former Vineyards on Northwestern 
Highway, Farmington Hills … Dark choc-
olate, apple cinnamon, cottage cheese and 
peaches, bananas and strawberry, etc. … 
In New York, it is not common to even 
see matzah with peanut butter among 
other odd concoctions … At the new Sky 
Deli on Orchard Lake Road, Farmington 
Hills, a big favorite year-round was with 
salami, onions, etc. … Lovers of sautéed 
green peppers wouldn’
t think of having 
fried matzah without them.
OLDIE BUT GOODIE … A rabbi and 
a priest met at the town picnic and began 
their usual bit of kibitzing with each other 
“This baked and juicy ham is delicious,” 
the priest teased his rabbi friend. “You 
really should try some. I know it is very 
much against your religion, but I can’
t 
understand why such a wonderful and 
delicious thing like ham should be forbid-
den from your diet. You just don’
t know 
what you are missing. You really haven’
t 
lived until you’
ve eaten Mrs. Peter’
s ham. 
Tell me, when are you going to break 
down and try a little ham?” 
The rabbi looked at the priest, smiled 
and said, “
At your wedding.”
CONGRATS … To Lorrie Isenberg on 
her birthday …To Kenneth Maier on his 
birthday … To Heckie Lazar on her birth-
day … To David Syner on his 59th birth-
day … To Robert and Elaine Wander on 
their 65th anniversary. ■

Email Danny at dannyraskin2132@gmail.com.

Head to 
Brownie’
s on the 
Lake for a fun 
summer evening.

PHOTOS VIA BROWNIE’
S ON THE LAKE FACEBOOK

Joe and Rosalie Vicari

The Whitney proudly honors the commitment and 
vision of our community’s best and brightest. 

Champagne reception

Strolling dinner and open bar 

Live Entertainment throughout the Mansion

Black Tie Optional

For info www.thewhitney.com
 (313) 832-5700

201
9 
L
E
GA
C
Y
 
DI
NNE
R

 A Salute to Danny Raskin 

Sunday, September 22nd, 6:00 - 10:00

