 NOVEMBER 7 • 2019 | 61

the best of everything
Raskin

T

hey had known each 
other for almost 20 
years, when one moved 
to Michigan to open a presti-
gious restaurant and the other 
had one of this 
region’
s finest 
Italian dining 
eateries … They 
became close 
friends, raising 
their children at 
the same time … 
and, for about 
10 years, talked about possibly 
doing a restaurant jointly.
When the former Café Via 
closed and became available, 
the result is the recently opened 
Pernoi on Maple Road between 

Woodward and Old Woodward, 
Birmingham, where Luciano 
DelSignore and Takashi 
Yagihashi, who many remem-
ber from the former Tribute, 
have opened what has become a 
much talked about dining spot.
No, Luciano’
s Bacco flagship 
restaurant is not for sale by a 
long shot, and Takashi’
s fine 
Tabo Sushi in Chicago remains 
as-is … Both will continue to 
retain their operations and 
became partners only of Pernoi 
… splitting their time with 
Pernoi and the restaurants they 
own.
As would be expected, the 
Pernoi menu is most unique 
… Its excellent choices include 
French, Italian, Japanese, 
American, etc., delights 
that may enchant the most 
select palates … Items that 
may never have been seen 
before, such as a Moroccan-
glazed squab or ginger 
sesame king salmon and 
others that include Iowan 
wagu beef, etc. along with 
Osetra caviar, Jerusalem 
artichoke soup and so 
much more.

When it opened Sept. 10 of 
this year, people were awed at 
the selection of dishes that are 
served from Tuesday through 
Saturday, 5 p.m. to close, in the 
65 seats and on eight bar stools.
Pernoi makes all its own 
baked goods and desserts that 
are selective favorites in their 
own rights … and served with 
an elegant selection of dinner 
choices within three rooms of 
dining from formal to casual in 
the presentation of a luxurious 
culinary experience.
Luciano DelSignore is the 
noted chef/owner of Bacco 
Ristorante and Bigalora Wood 
Fired Cucina restaurants … 
Takashi is the chef/owner of 
Tabo Sushi in Chicago … And 
I again emphasize that both 
will use their time in the daily 
presentations at Birmingham’
s 
Pernoi as partners … and con-
tinue to own their other restau-
rants by themselves … sharing 
time together here but in no 
way affiliated mutually with 
their other eateries.
To say that the new Pernoi 
enjoys an elegance of its own is 
a mild statement …The luxury 

yacht feel amid original art and 
excellent food must certainly be 
classed among the better dining 
experiences in our region.
CLOSING OF CANTORO 
of Troy as solely a restaurant has 
left many people with a sour 
taste … But may serve to tell 
of its highly successful Cantoro 
Market and fine attached eatery 
in Plymouth.
SHORTIE OLDIE BUT 
GOODIES … Arriving home 
from a party, the wife confront-
ed her husband, “I’
ll never go 
to another another party with 
you.
” He asked why. “Because 
you asked Mrs. Thomas how 
her husband was standing the 
heat. He’
s been dead for two 
months!” … A politician ran 
into the house yelling, “Honey, 
I’
ve been elected!” … His wife 
looked up from her knitting 
and said, “Honestly?” … He 
stopped in his tracks and said, 
“Why bring that up?”
CONGRATS … To Jay Parr 
on his birthday … To Marianna 
Yonova on her birthday. 

Danny’
s email address is 
dannyraskin2132@gmail.com.

Birmingham’
s Pernoi features 
unique menu and luxury feel.

Two
Great Chefs

Danny Raskin
Senior Columnist

COURTESY OF PERNOI

Takashi Yagihashi and 
Luciano DelSignore

PERNOI FACEBOOK

Reservations at www.thewhitney.com
 (313) 832-5700

201
9
T
HE
 
WHI
T
NE
Y

Now serving Lunch 

Monday-Friday 
11am – 2pm

Lunches start at
$12

