Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Salvatore's, Elie's jump final hurdle

The City Commission Monday night gave final approval to bistro liquor licenses for Salvatore Scallopini and Elie's. The restaurants' lawyer said they would be serving liquor by the end of the year.

Elie's was permitted to include belly dancing after a bid by Commissioner Don Carney failed to derail its application.

"By any definition, 'low-key entertainment' includes belly dancing," said Commissioner Scott Moore, who supported allowing the traditional Middle Eastern folk dance.

The commission faced three votes on Elie's. On the vote that included entertainment, Moore was joined by Mayor Tom McDaniel and commissioners Julie Plotnik and Dianne McKeon. Carney was joined in opposition by commissioners Rackeline Hoff and Stuart Sherman. The other two votes were unanimous in favor of Elie's.

Carney said entertainment was not part of his vision for bistros. Hoff said she needed a definition of "low-key" before she would approve the application. Sherman said he was "looking for guidance" on how to define "low-key entertainment."

Both bistros will include outdoor dining. Salvatore Scallopini will modify its facade to include a new service entry on Harmon. It will add two outdoor cafe's -- one on a deck over Harmon, the other on the sidewalk facing N. Old Woodward -- and a refreshment kiosk. Elie's will add a garage door-like facade that will join inside with out.

Three other bistro applications -- for Cosi, Papa Joe's and Cafe Via -- have gained Planning Board approval and await final OK of the commission.