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But Dan Dunsky was already its only operator … plus being the maintenance man, bookkeeper, head chef, market- ing director, host, etc. … And still is … However, today it is also with the dedicated major help of a 16-person staff of employ- ees. First thing Dan did was change the name from Fran O'Brien's Crabhouse to plain O'Brien's Crabhouse … in the Auburn Hills Plaza strip center on Opdyke between South Boulevard and Auburn. "While doing all those chores, I never could believe how complicated it was run- ning a restaurant almost by yourself," says Dan. "One might think that the restau- rant business is only about food. As I have come to learn, it is also so very much more." O'Brien's Crabhouse, now celebrating its 26th anniver- sary, has long been considered among the tops in Michigan for smaller-sized seafood din- ing establishments, especially with menu items not seen anywhere else … And since his takeover, Dan has done the necessary remodeling to make up for any neglect that might have happened earlier … New men's and wom- en's restrooms, new dining room furniture, silverware upgrades, use of cloth napkins instead of paper, etc. Even dishes like stuffed shrimp, Shrimp Mozambique, deviled stuffed clams, which have been upgraded, etc. … Best-sellers still include perch piccata, Seafood Diablo, baked scal- lops and other desired seafood cuisine … Customers also love O'Brien's Trout Siciliano, and sauteed shrimp with garlic and its side of pasta provencal. O'Brien's Crabhouse, by the way, is the only restaurant in Michigan that serves real Ipswich clams like the ones found in Boston … Mondays and Tuesdays are big feature days that so many people longingly await with salivat- ing taste buds … Its Snow Crab Feast of 2½-pound succulent beauties that Dan has on those days for the same price as 1½-pounders. O'Brien's Crabhouse is a big favorite by many during the soft-shell crab season, which runs each year through Aug. 15 … Lobsters fresh from the tank are served in June, July and August … Folks can also get smoked baby back ribs, New York strip steak, grilled chicken breast, etc. Seating is still less than 100 plus 12 stools at the bar … seven-day-a-week hours are Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.- 10 p.m., Saturday, 4-10 p.m., Sunday, 4-9 p.m. O'Brien's Crabhouse seafood restaurant is striking with its mostly authentic artifacts of truly interesting adornment … Many of the decor items have been brought up from diving expeditions … surrounding a won- derfully good-tasting adventure. FOUR-COURSE THEME DINNERS will be featured twice monthly, as of June 27, by Executive Chef John Somerville at Steven Lelli's Inn On the Green, between Halsted and Haggerty, Farmington Hills … First one will be seafood … followed by Northern Italian, Southern France, etc. …June 27 theme will highlight a Shore Dinner … with the courses including oys- ters, soft-shell crab, lobster and a blueberry dessert. MAIL DEPT. … "A short while ago, a new ice cream shop [Cool Jacks] opened in Sylvan Lake, about a quarter block from the new Pepino's loca- tion. Mary Lou and I live in Sylvan Lake, and all the neighbors have been talking about it. We went there recently, and it was packed. We split a home-baked oatmeal cookie with homemade banana cake ice cream, and it was incredible. "I introduced myself to the owners, Josh and Jill Charlip, who were working the counter, and he remembered me from Beau Jack's. Mary Lou and I ran into a bunch of former Beau Jack's customers who had come there after dinner at Pepino's and everyone was commenting on what a hit this place is!" … Gary Cochran, owner of former Beau Jack's, Bloomfield Hills. REMEMBERING ALI … "In the late 1980s, I owned a pizza, pasta and ribs car- ryout in Troy. I delivered a huge order to the Boston Celtics basketball team staying at the DoubleTree Hotel. While in the eleva- tor, someone said, 'Wow, that food smells awfully good.' "Without looking up, I handed him my card and a menu. When I got back to the restaurant, Muhammad Ali had personally placed an order for himself and his entou- rage. I brought it to him at the hotel, and he later called to tell me that it was the best barbecue ribs he'd ever had. Would I give him the recipe so he could have it made the same way where he was going, and at Muhammad Ali's favorite barbecue place in his hometown. "I took it to him personally and discov- ered a wonderful human being so very genuine and humble, much different than what people read about him." … Mark Zarkin, owner of Steven Lelli's Inn On the Green, Farmington Hills … (Mark still owns the legendary Checker BBQ recipe.) "I MET MUHAMMAD ALI when his name was still Cassius Clay," says Dino "The Tailor" Metropoulos. "He came to see Harry Kosins and buy some clothes at Kosins Clothes on Griswold. "When Harry introduced us, he wanted something that nobody had ever worn on the Johnny Carson show. I made him a loud sport jacket with wide lapels and side vents, a style I brought here from Europe. They were in fashion there but not here. "Carson made fun of the loud jacket, wide lapels and bell bottom slacks I made … After that Tonight Show, they became such huge fashion rages here that Harry and I had to hire more tailors to help me make them!" OLDIE BUT GOODIE … Herman's business was struggling, and he was very offended to receive a letter from his sup- plier. "We regret that we won't be able to fill your recent order for 3,000 men's dark brown suits until full payment has been received for your last order." Herman wrote back, "Dear Supplier, Please cancel my recent order for 3,000 men's dark brown suits. I cannot wait that long." CONGRATS … To Jerry Naftaly on his birthday …To Ed Rapoport on his birthday … To Bonnie Nosanchuk on her birthday … To Seymour and Irene Burg on their 67th anniversary … To Millie and Aaron Berg on their 76th anniversary. * Danny's email address is dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net. For Great Seafood, Head For The Hills! Dine at O'Brien's Crabhouse in Auburn Hills for unique ocean delights. Dan Dunsky 60 June 23 • 2016 Danny Raskin Senior Columnist arts & life t h e b e s t o f e v e r y t h i n g 2108690 33220 W. 14 Mile Road, West Bloomfield MI (At 14 & Farmington) Fresh, Hand-Rolled, Kettle-Boiled Bagels Hand-Sliced Lox Fully Loaded Deli & Grill $ 2 off purchase of $20 or more With Coupon Expires 7/30/16 $ 3 off purchase of $30 or more With Coupon. Expires 7/30/16 8ZWe4RcUd_`hRgRZ]RS]VHVRcV_`hTReVcZ_X