I was walking past the back door of Ivory Keys, the new dueling Piano Bar and Restaurant at 14701 Detroit Avenue, next to B2B. You know the one that over 10,000 people checked out the early report on a couple months ago, when everyone wanted to know what was going into the space at 14701 Detroit Ave. and noticed the back door was slightly ajar, as the HVAC guys were coming and going, so I walked in.
The owner, Thomas Russo was not around, and the staff obviously thought I was part of the HVAC crew, no doubt something that rubbed off on me from Slife Heating and Cooling. So I poked around to see how things were coming. There was some art on the wall and some changes had been made.
Where the dueling pianos will be, along with a drum kit in the back.
And I noticed some notes, and some interesting items, and as no one was stopping me, I looked them over. The first thing that jumped out at me was that Thomas had a note about Valet Service, and the "Teaser Opening" next Friday, December 15. Most restaurants open with a soft opening to work out the bugs and get things straight with the staff so the term "Teaser Party" intrigued me. I guess that had something to do with a party.
As I looked around I couldn't help but notice he had opened it up, and enlarged the bar area by about 20% and had given it a more modern, yet subdued feeling that should play nicely with piano music, and the full shows, comedy, stand-up mic or whatever he does down the road. While still in disarray during the build out, it looked like he could open tomorrow if he had the bar stools in place. That is how far the crew has come since the first time I walked in.
Back wall by the kitchen which is now more open than before.
It seemed like the one cook, the only employee in the place had walked out, so I went back in the kitchen to poke around and see what was happening back there. The only thing I noticed was a pot of some sort of red sauce, possibly a Marinara cooking, and damn I have to admit it smelled great. So I grabbed a spoon, put it in the pot, and had a taste. It was amazing. Just then the cook came back in saying, "Hey what are you doing? You're not supposed to be back here." I said, "I was hoping to talk with the owner. She told me he would be back shortly but, "Get the hell out of my kitchen!" I asked her what the red sauce was and she said, "Never you mind."
Not sure what it was, but sweet, slightly acidic, with a bit of a tang, it would be good on anything from bread to sausages! Damn was that good.
As I walked out of the kitchen, Thomas Russo came walking in, and said, "Hey, you're the guy from the Observer, what are you doing here?" I mentioned I stopped by to see how things were coming, especially with his "Teaser Opening" a week away. He said, "I told you I would call when I was ready for you, and I am not ready for you." I mentioned the place was really coming along, and he said, "I have work to do, and please no photos until I am done. The last time you posted something our website blew up and every other media source in the county wanted an interview!" I mentioned that probably had more to do with his past projects and family history, than the 10,000+ people that saw it online, and he just smiled.
I mentioned, "So you are going to have valet service at the Teaser Opening?" He turned and said, "Were you reading my notes?" I smiled and said, "Just the clipboard on the bar, it is what I do." He said, "Listen I am not ready, but NO! What we are doing is having full time valet service for our customers. After you posted, letting the cat out of the bag, I noticed some of your readers were concerned over parking. While you pointed out the large lot behind the place, I wanted to make sure parking was never an issue, so we will have valet service every night." I mentioned that was nice, people were worried.
I asked, "So what is the deal with the Teaser Party? Most restaurants have a soft opening, inviting just dignitaries and family." Russo replied, "No, it is obvious how excited people are about this place, and we want to be a part of the city, so we are having a special opening with partial menu, but open to everyone." I mentioned, it would be nice to just open it for the Observers, and he smiled and said, "Nope, I want it to be a party for all of Lakewood, next Friday the 15th from 5pm to 1am, not just the Observers!"
With that and him helping me along to the back door and out of the place, I asked, "What's the deal with the red sauce, damn, it was good." He stopped and smiled and asked, who gave me a taste? He said, "That's a special sauce they are working on for a couple things, and it is a surprise for the party." I asked what they call it, and he said, "Never mind, you are just going to leak it out and everyone will know, it is a secret part of the menu at this time," and he wouldn't tell me the name.
As I got to the back door, that leads to the parking lot, Thomas said, "I know you are going to post something, and everyone will read it, so please mention the Teaser Opening, December 15th from 5pm to 1am, and that we will be open for real on January 4, 2018, and we hope everyone in Lakewood stops by the party, and enjoys everything we are bringing to the community."
I said if it is one-tenth as good as the red sauce, this city will love it, you, and the food.
So there you have it, a sneak peek, a scoop (valet parking and Teaser Party) and I got a taste of some amazing red sauce.
This place will be fun, the owner and staff are really good people, if you have time go there December 15, and show your support.
Thomas, thanks for choosing Lakewood, I can't wait to see the rest.
.