August 29 • 2019 77
jn

raskin
the best of everything

Danny Raskin
Senior Columnist

A Tasty Offer
M

any times throughout the years, the 
owner or owners of a restaurant may 
sometimes come up with an idea 
that would bring much comment and custom-
er response.
A once-in-a-while offer that many people 
couldn’
t pass up was one of them … A com-
plete steak dinner with all the trimmings … 
Petite 6-ounce steak, antipasto plate, includ-
ing shrimp, minestrone soup, salad, potatoes 
and vegetable … for just $22.50 … was one 
of them … It went over with a loud bang and 
folks had happily found another excellent 
steak offer that could not be beat.
But suddenly, a huge demand appeared that 
took away the once-in-a-while only offer … 
Sposita’
s Italian Restaurant on 14 Mile Road, 
between Orchard Lake Road and Farmington 
Road, West Bloomfield, was deluged by cus-
tomers with fervent requests for the great offer 
to be more often … And so it was changed to 
be every-other week.
As Sposita’
s closes in on another much-
appreciated anniversary, even with the many 
cost raises, the extra special offer of every-oth-
er-week dining feature has increased only to 
the unbelievable price of another 40 cents … to 
just $22.95.
Contrary to the offer of other restaurants 

that may have tried a like offer, Sposita’
s leaves 
off nothing … It has even continued its large 
portions of soup AND salad in the special, not 
one or the other as is so often obtained from 
other eateries.
Sposita’
s excellent veal dishes, spaghetti, fish, 
etc., are also highly acclaimed values in good 
Italian dining.
This is truly another fine example of the 
many great offers that neighborhood restau-
rants such as Sposita’
s have to offer these days 
… But none like this one … Not a one-time 
or sometime feature but every other week …
Sposita’
s is a culinary gem with a large follow-
ing of folks who have called it their own neigh-
borhood finer Italian dining discovery.
REARVIEW MIRROR … The recent 75th 
anniversary of Wallside Windows remind-
ed me of the time when its founder, Martin 
Blanck, left after selling home modernization 
for my brother Marvin Raskin … and went 
into the window business … He was at the 
original London Chop House on Congress, 
Detroit, and took home Lorraine Dennenberg, 
there with another fellow, after a disagree-
ment with the gent she was with … On the 
way out, Sam Gruber, co-owner of “The 
Chop,” was a mind reader in bidding them 
good night at the door, saying that they made 
a fine couple … Marty and Lorraine later 
became man and wife … He passed on in 200l 
and the fine Wallside Windows company is 
today owned by his family.
SO MANY PIZZA places are opening up 
and calling their product “Detroit-style” fol-
lowing that of the time-old saying used by Billy 
Jacobs after he bought Buddy’
s back in 1984 … 
A Buddy’
s Detroit-style pizza has many unique 

characteristics … Like metal pans, brick cheese 
sauce on cheese not on dough … No sugar or 
oils are added to the dough making, etc. … The 
saying actually should be Buddy’
s/Detroit-Style 
… Authentic Detroit-style pizza in all reality is 
really only at Buddy’
s.
INTERESTING DISH on the menu at Beans 
& Cornbread, Northwestern Hwy., north of 
12 Mile, Southfield, is its “Everything But The 
Kitchen Sink” … Catfish, grilled lobster, shrimp, 
rice, fried okra and collard greens … Owner 
Patrick Coleman says it goes over in a big way.
MAIL DEPT. … From Shirlee Lachmann … 
“Isn’
t Mickey Bakst, the fellow you talk about 
who was once general manager of the Tribute, 
the son of a rabbi?”
(No, Mickey Bakst, now general manager of 
the Charleston Grill in Charleston, is no rela-
tion to a former rabbi … But his grandfather 
was Cantor Jacob Sonnenklar at Congregation 
Shaarey Zedek for about 50 years.)
AGAIN, ALL SCHOOL REUNIONS to 
appear in the column must be received a month 
ahead of the event’
s date.
OLDIE BUT GOODIE …Three Jewish 
women got together for lunch. As they are seat-
ed in the restaurant, one takes a deep breath and 
gives a long, slow “oy.
” The second takes a deep 
breath as well and lets out a long, slow “oy.
” The 
third takes a deep breath and says impatiently, 
“Girls, I thought we weren’
t going to talk about 
our children.
”
CONGRATS … To Manuel Silvers on his 
77th birthday … To Rhoda Lavers on her birth-
day … To Sandi and Thom Millman on their 
50th anniversary. ■

 Email Danny at dannyraskin2132@gmail.com.

Sposita’
s
accedes to 
customer 
requests.

COURTESY SPOSITA’
S

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