FEBRUARY 11 • 2021 | 45
T
here was a restaurant that
served only French cuisine
for just 42 people at one
time … at booths and tables.
Those who went to Raphael’s
in Novi expected to spend at least
three hours of epic
moments in gas-
tronomy.
It was a high
gourmet restaurant
that did not place
all the emphasis
on show at the
expense of its food
… Surely, elegance symbolized
by fire and ice is fake elegance …
This, Raphael’s was not guilty of
… The total concentration was on
perfect food … excellently pre-
pared … and impeccable service.
Raphael’s was classic cuisine …
like a good bottle of wine that gets
better with age … Everything at
Raphael’s was made from scratch
… No such thing as powders or
starters … unheard of things.
SOLE PARTNER OF former
Hill Seafood and Chophouse in
Grosse Pointe with Joe Vicari will
be the building’s owner, Anthony
“Tony” Soave … It will have a
new name, remodeling, new staff
and new menu … with hopeful
reopening in March or April
… Joe’s takeover of the three
restaurants in Birmingham will
also have new names, staffs and
menus … also hopeful-
ly opening then … All
four are hoping to open
when dining restric-
tions go to 50 percent
capacity or more.
THE
RESTAURANT
BUSINESS is a
demanding business
that many times
requires dedication, long hours
and patience … Perhaps in no
other industry are there as many
Horatio Alger stories as in food-
service, where, armed with basic
criteria of a strict work ethic and
a dream, many have risen to
achieve both fame and consid-
erable wealth … However, when
celebrities invest in restaurant
projects as a social diversion or
simply as a tax break, it unfairly
dilutes the legitimate hard work
of those who have pledged their
savings and sweat to become suc-
cessful restaurateurs.
OLDIE BUT GOODIE … A
man tries to enter heaven but first
he has a chat with St. Peter, keep-
er of the Pearly Gates.
St. Peter explains that it is not
easy to get into heaven … He asks
the man several questions … Was
he religious in life? Did he attend
temple? Did he give money to
the poor and charity? Did he do
any good deeds? Did he help his
neighbor?
The man answered, “No.
”
St. Peter said, “Not good.
Not good.
” Exasperated, he says,
“Look. Everybody does some-
thing nice sometime. Work with
me. I’m trying to help. Now think.
”
The man said, “Well, I came
out of the store and found this
little old lady surrounded by a
dozen thugs. They had taken
her purse and were shoving her,
taunting and abusing her. I got
so mad I threw my bags down,
fought my way through the
crowd and got her purse back.
I helped her to her feet. Then I
went up to the biggest, meanest
guy there and told him how
despicable, cowardly and mean
he was and then I spit in his face.
”
“Wow,
” said St. Peter. “That’s
impressive. When did this hap-
pen?”
“Oh, about 10 minutes ago.
”
CONGRATS … To Jackie
Headapohl on her birthday … To
Sharen Bender on her birthday.
To William “Bill” Wolf on his
80th birthday.
Danny’s email address is
dannyraskin2132@gmail.com.
RASKIN
THE BEST OF EVERYTHING
Danny Raskin
Senior Columnist
The finest French cuisine around.
Rearview Mirror:
Raphael’s
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