M
uch has been writ-
ten about an Italian
restaurant that
has weathered many years in
becoming an institution of such
culinary goodness as Giovanni’
s
Ristorante, now honoring its
52nd year anni-
versary.
That it is many
times considered
as one of the fin-
est Italian dining
eateries of all
such ethnic insti-
tutions is a credit to its good-
ness in numerous references as
a hidden gem.
Located on South Oakwood,
between Fort and Schaefer in
Detroit, it continues to receive
wonderful accolades in true
authentic
Italian dining
... So much
so that per-
sons of show
business and
other world-
wide repute
have made it a must-stop when
opened again in this area.
Signature dishes like the 17
layer lasagna, Veal Saltimbocca,
Scampi Giovanni, etc., are true
delights in the mingle of dishes
seldom, if ever, seen at other
Italian eateries ... Braciole di
Manzo, Veal ala Giovanni, Pollo
ala Trentina, etc., etc., in their
own goodness delights.
Giovanni’
s makes its own
cream puffs, tiramisu, chocolate
tortes, lemon cake, cannolis,
cheesecake, bread pudding and
even seasonal desserts ... as the
walls seem to speak with old
pictures of family members
and numerous celebrities of
show business among others
... Including the room named
after the late Frank Sinatra who
made Giovanni’
s a must-go-to
place whenever in this region
... The main dining room is
probably the best place to
people watch ... There is also
the Godfather Room with its
fireplace, the Wine Room of
handcrafted wrought iron from
Italy and the private Speak Easy
Room in back of the restaurant
for celebrities and executive
and others wanting to hide
away.
Giovanni’
s seats 125 with
four stools at the bar ... Its
hours (once reopened) are
Tuesdays through Thursdays 11
a.m.- 9 p.m., Friday 11 a.m.-10
p.m. and Saturday 4-10 p.m. …
Carry-out is currently available.
Truly authentic Italian dining
is a distinct dining dream ...
and in the gracious and excel-
lent hands of owners Frances
and Randy Truant, it is the
magnificent Italian restaurant
that culinary lovers look for ...
and are so delighted to visit.
MAIL DEPT. … From
Evelyn Menser ... “I am thrilled
about Joe Vicari opening a new
restaurant in Detroit where my
husband now works, but cer-
tainly am pretty sure that they
must come and go. How many
of the 21 places he has are still
in business?”
(All of them, Evelyn, 20 in
Michigan and one in Las Vegas.
No. 22 will be the Statler Bistro
next year in the former Statler
Hotel in Detroit.)
OLDIE BUT GOODIE
… Two religious Chasidic
young men wearing yarmulkes
are riding a motorcycle and
stopped by a bigoted cop after a
long ride.
Frustrated, the cop says, “I’
ve
been following you for a long
time and watching to see if you
do anything to break the law,
but you seem to be perfect.
How do you do it?”
One of them replies,
“HaShem is with us.
”
“That’
s it!” exclaims the
policeman. Three people on a
motorcycle!”
CONGRATS … To Michael
Layne on his birthday ... To Dr.
Joel Kahn on his birthday ... To
Linda Nudell on her birthday ...
To Sharon Green on her birth-
day.
Danny’
s email address is
dannyraskin2132@gmail.com.
Danny Raskin
Senior Columnist
Giovanni’
s Ristorante
celebrates its 52nd year.
Detroit’s
Italian Gem
PHOTOS VIA GIOVANNI’
S FACEBOOK
the best of everything
Raskin
JUNE 11 • 2020 | 53
Frances Truant
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