Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/767445
52 December 29 • 2016 L OOKING BACK ON 2016 … JANUARY … The end of a dining tradition comes as Mark and Susan Larco close Big Beaver Tavern, formerly Larco's Italian Chophouse, Troy … Second edition of L'Chaim Jewish menu joins regu- lar bill o' fare at Andiamo Bloomfield … Mandaloun Bistro Lebanese cuisine, former Le Chef, opens its first year at new location in Bingham Farms … Former Lark execu- tive chef John Somerville brings much buzz as new executive chef at Steven Lelli's Inn On the Green, Farmington Hills. FEBRUARY … Bud Liebler and son Patrick take the Whitney dining on Woodward, Detroit, up more notches than before with noted good innova- tions … Crispelli's changes format at West Bloomfield location to include full-service by waitpersons … New Jim Brady's Detroit opens in Royal Oak by Diamond Jim Brady's grandson … Maria's, West Bloomfield, no longer owned by Diana Walsh, has reverted back to former owner Domenick Morda. MARCH … Jim Hiller, former owner of Hillers Market sold to Kroger, tries hand at baked goods and consulting … Fifth anniversary of Joe Muer Seafood, Detroit, is greeted with much favorable attention … New items are added to third L'Chaim Jewish menu at Andiamo Bloomfield … Uptown Parthenon Greek restaurant cele- brates 18th anniversary in West Bloomfield's Crosswinds Center … Georges restaurant hits 14th anniversary in West Bloomfield …Cork & Rye takes over former site of Vineyards, Farmington Hills … Mon Jin Lau Chinese restaurant, Troy, adds Italian gelato ice cream dessert … No more Corner Bar at Townsend Hotel, Birmingham … Gary Cochran, owner of former Beau Jack's, look- ing for new dining avenues. APRIL … New Feng Taste, West Bloomfield, by former first sushi head chef at Joe Vicari's Joe Muer Seafood Detroit Yue Feng Cao, making favorable waves with both Japanese and Chinese dining … Bella Piatti, Birmingham, fetes third anniver- sary stronger than ever with Liz and Nino Cutraro looking ahead to even more favorable attention and dining acceptance … Shangri- La in West Bloomfield gets more plaudits on its unbelievable dim sum selection … Steven Lelli's Inn On the Green, Farmington Hills, reaches coveted fifth anniversary with talk about it maybe becoming the flagship restaurant of a fine dining con- glomerate. MAY … 32nd anniversary is honored by Pepino's in its new home in Sylvan Lake … Beans & Cornbread's 19th anniversary brings additional recognition with award-winning soul food … Vera Rizer at Big Rock, Birmingham, is named restaurant manager of the year by Michigan Restaurant Association … GreenSpace Cafe, Ferndale, is opened by heart specialist Dr. Joel Kahn, with emphasis on healthy din- ing … New Katherine McGregor Dessert Parlor at the Whitney, Detroit, adds more world-class pastries with addition of Chef Eric Bunge … Assaggi, Ferndale, 16th anni- versary noted by many for its relaxed dining and excellent presentations … Joe Vicari bringing movie star Sophia Loren to Detroit Opera House for one-woman show. JUNE … Bacco Ristorante hits 14th year in Southfield as a recognized top upscale dining operation … Former longtime Oak Park Mayor Jerry Naftaly's book, Images of Modern America — Northland Mall is slated for an August release … Ale Mary, Royal Oak, is lauded by Men's Journal as having "One of the Best Burgers in America" … O'Brien's Crabhouse fetes 26th anniversary in Auburn Hills … People concerned that if legendary Caucus Club, Detroit, is not opened again by Mary Bellone, it will not be the same. JULY … Cuisine restaurant, Detroit, honors 15th anniversary as a fine-dining French restaurant by both owner and Executive Chef Paul Grosz … Pickles & Rye, West Bloomfield, hits second anni- versary with passing grades … Joe Vicari, founder of Andiamo chain and today's Joe Muer Seafood, is named 2016 National Man of the Year by Leukemia & Lymphoma Society … Shangri-La, West Bloomfield, is still a wonder on its 21st anniversary, and now open seven days a week 10 a.m.-2 a.m. as Michigan's only Chinese restaurant with unlocked doors that late … especially, too, with its entire menu of dim sum and regular Chinese fare. AUGUST … Sposita's Italian Restaurant, Farmington Hills, recognized among the top neighborhood Italian eateries, small wonder why it is so popular … Andiamo Bloomfield, with whitefish brought to the restaurant five days a week by the same Native Americans who catch them … Townsend Hotel and its very fine Rugby Grille honor 28th anniversary with national and worldwide recognition awards … like 2016 Best of Award of Excellence … and by Wine Spectator Lifestyle magazine … Golden Phoenix Cantonese restaurant, West Bloomfield, given more accolades for its Thai food as well as Chinese. SEPTEMBER … Due Venti, Clarkson, an upscale restaurant celebrates its eighth anniversary, owned by David and Nicole Seals, one of those mom-and-pop eater- ies that people dream about … C.A.Y.A., Wolverine Lake, is the kind of restaurant that Chef Jeff Rose always wanted as it marks its third anniversary … Big Rock Chophouse, Birmingham, not only fetes its 18th birthday, but also celebrates Norm and Bonnie LePage's general manager Vera Riser's honor as Michigan Restaurant Association's Manager of the Year and winner of MRA's Industry Champion Award … Opening of a second Joe Muer Seafood by Joe Vicari at Bloomfield Hills' Kingsley Inn location early part of 2017 will be same as his present spot in the Renaissance Center, Detroit … Saffron Northern Indian restaurant, Farmington Hills, is owned by former owner and head chef of top-rated fine Taste of India. OCTOBER … Osteria 22, Dearborn, is the second-year sleeper Italian and Sicilian- style restaurant that people are fast discov- ering … Joe Muer Seafood, Detroit, hits fifth anniversary with huge accolades on its larger-than-expected success in taking over a "name" … Mario's, Detroit, fetes its 68th birthday as one of this region's oldest restaurants … Indo makes a big hit with its authentic Indonesian restaurant offerings … Tom's Oyster Bar, Royal Oak, continuing what has become a 22-year-old tradition. NOVEMBER … Steven Lelli's Inn On the Green, Farmington Hills, is honored on sixth anniversary along with announce- ment that it will present "A Night at the Golden Mushroom" with Certified Master Chef Milos Cihelka … 18th anniversary of Camelia's Mexican Grill is now at its new location in Farmington Hills. DECEMBER … Lox & bagel platters at Jewish delis acclaimed among top Sunday breakfast pleasures … Owner Mark Larkin and staff of Steven Lelli's Inn On the Green, Farmington Hills, host more than 150 guests at its successful "A Night at the Golden Mushroom" with plans for honoring of more former restaurants … Diamond Jim Brady's Bistro observes first birthday of its name change and new location in Novi's Town Center … Sunrise Cafe and Fiddler continue to operate under separate owner- ships, and Maya Kuchersky's Maya's Skin Center in West Bloomfield is acclaimed as one of Michigan's finest beauty operations … Mark Zarkin is invited by President and Mrs. Barack Obama to holiday reception at the White House in Washington, D.C. 2016 YEAR-ENDING CONGRATS … To David Blatt on his birthday … To Marilyn Frommer on her birthday … To Heidi Martin on her birthday … To Norman Wauldron on his 99th birthday ... To Ed Sosnick on his birthday. BEST WISHES to everyone for a very healthy and happy 2017 new year!! * Danny's email address is dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net. 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 o f n g It Was A Very Good Year! 2117870 32418 Northwestern Hwy., Farmington Hills 248-862-5747 M-Thurs 10a-10p; F-Sat 10a-12mid; Sun 11a-8p Visit us at CorkandRye.com Lunch Delivery Available Honoring All Competitors Specials (bring in ad) Your New Year's Gift Basket and Holiday Tray Headquarters! 15% OFF All Craft Beer CORK & RYE Exp. 01/07/17 Buy One Sandwich Get a Mini FREE! 3pm-8pm Daily CORK & RYE Exp. 01/07/17 ACME NOVA LOX $16.99 LB. (compared to $29.99 lb.) CORK & RYE Exp. 01/07/17 20% Off All Gift Baskets and Holiday Trays CORK & RYE Exp. 01/07/17 20% OFF New Year's & SuperBowl Catering Cork & Rye Exp. 01/07/17