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
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A Salute to Danny Raskin
Sunday, September 22nd, 6:00 - 10:00