Thursday, June 28, 2007

Plan Board gives nod to Elie's, Salvatore Scallopini

Elie’s and Salvatore Scallopini were one step closer to serving liquor after the Birmingham Planning Board Wednesday night approved the restaurants’ site plan and special land use permit applications.

Plans for outdoor cafes dominated the discussions.

The board postponed action on an application from Cosi because the restaurant proposed taking six metered parking spaces on N. Old Woodward for a 744-square-foot summer dining deck. It asked the restaurant to go back to the drawing board and resubmit a plan that takes fewer parking spaces.

The board approved a single outdoor café at Elie’s, and two at Salvatore Scallopini’s – one on Harmon facing Booth Park and a second on N. Old Woodward – designed by Ron Rea and Roman Bonislawski of Ron & Roman Design, of Birmingham.

It also approved belly dancing as low-key entertainment for Elie’s. Neither Salvatore Scallopine nor Cosi said they would provide entertainment.

Elie’s proposed an eight-seat bar with two additional seats at a bar-height table. Salvatore Scallopini and Cosi both proposed four-seat bars.

The City Commission is expected to consider the applications in late July or early August.