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