restaurant: diamond jim brady’s bistro
Since one of my resolutions was to write more blogs by injecting a little bit of spice in the routine, I’ve decided that one of the ways I’m going to help that effort is to try and go to a new restaurant whenever I get the chance. There are a large number of restaurants within an hour’s distance from my home, not to mention a good number between where I work and where I live. So, why not try something new and different? Maybe I’ll find a new favorite.
Unfortunately, both attempts so far have landed my husband and I at semi-expensive restaurants with decent enough food, but surrounded by (how can I put this delicately?) “old people”. I’m not talking about dining with people my parent’s age, I’m talking about gray poofy hair as far as the eye can see. Why is it that any restaurant I find that is in an odd location, a “hidden gem” with a good wine list, is unknown to anyone under the age of 60?
Diamond Jim Brady’s Bistro is no exception. I can see why the youngsters don’t come a running. First, its sign (not pictured above) makes it look like a downriver jewelry store with the word “bistro” precariously slapped to the bottom. Second, no one born in this century is even going to understand who Diamond Jim Brady is. And while the location, tucked into the Novi TownCenter strip mall, certainly can’t help it… Bonefish Grill, just a few storefronts away, proves it can be done, and it can be done in swanky style.
Maybe these restaurants (Shiraz being the other one) are doing fine. But the extra friendliness of the owners and staff make me guess otherwise. Someone needs to put some Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares magic into these places. I’m not talking about the terrible American show, but the BBC version, where he actually comes in and uses smart business sense to explain why a restaurant that should be doing better isn’t. Lower your prices, give the waitresses outfits that don’t look like a Denny’s, get a new sign, fix up your storefront, work on your food presentation skills, rearrange your menu to be more “fun”.
All and all, I enjoyed my food and experience at these restaurants, but I can’t say I’ll be dying to ever go back. With so many nearby options to choose from, I would rather take a little bit of fun flash and younger dinner companions over the tried and true cooking approach from a mom and pop shop full of gray hairs. I’m just not willing to admit that my culinary tastes put me in the upscale senior citizen category… not yet.
Next time, I’m thinking of trying Assagi in Ferndale, based on Nick & Carrie’s glowing recommendation. We also are still looking for the perfect spot for Valentine’s Day. Other blog writing techniques I’m going to be implementing are trying to… read a book a month, attempt to bake more often, integrate new web technologies into my daily life, and trying a new cooking challenge once a week (tonight I’m making persimmon bread before the LOST finale… although I might be more inspired to write about the show rather than the bread, I loves me some LOST).
RECENT WINES