Bistro Newsletter

​We’re coming up on the 1-year anniversary of Mary’s retirement and me purchasing the Bistro. When you buy a restaurant that has been around since 1954, you are buying more than tables and chairs & pots and pans. You buy INTO a legacy. You inherit the stories and memories from the ownership, the staff and the many guests over the years. People often ask if I am a Brady, I’m not. But I am greatly honored to have been trusted with the legacy of such a Detroit institution.


Last night I snuck out a few minutes early to see what the “new” Steve and Rocky’s was up to under the name Brentwood Grill with Bob Loomis as the new owner. Walking in the bar, felt like walking into the bar last year, and the year before that, and the year before that. That’s what they/we want you to feel. Bob and I spoke of our shared pressure of keeping our legacies strong, of not disappointing our longtime guests. I said to Bob that in the first few months of the Bistro’s operation under me, I told the staff again and again that I never wanted to hear: That’s not how Mary did it, or things have changed since Mary left. I knew we were under an eye of scrutiny and did not want to disappoint. The funny thing is I remember Mary and I having this same discussion when she moved the Bistro to our current location. What would Tom think, would he be happy? How would guests feel about the new Bistro? I’m sure Tommy, Tom’s son, felt these same emotions when he opened Jim Brady’s in Royal Oak. The reality though, is things do change. Life is full of transitions, tests, disappointments, failures, regrets; but mostly I think it is full of opportunity. Opportunity to do what is right. To be kind, to have courage, to spread joy. I’m honored to be part of a family of restauranteurs whose stories continue to inspire me and to hopefully grow and morph their vision into the next generation of hospitality.


Last Friday, sadly, the Brady family laid to rest Matt Brady. Matt was the youngest son of the family, Tom’s little brother. Some of you will remember him from his locations of Matt Brady’s bars, a spin-off of his dad’s place back in Detroit. I imagine he felt the same way I do today. I’m sure he wanted to please his dad, impress his brothers and sister, but do his own thing as well. To take his own chance, make his mark. Many of you will remember Matt from the Novi location, working in the dining room while Tom was sick with the same cancer that eventually took his younger brother. I remember Matt for his bushy moustache, his deep laugh and he had a similar walk to Tom’s. I’ve always thought they both had a certain swagger. I have a blurry memory of him in a tuxedo in the bar or maybe it was just a bowtie… unusual and unexpected either way. I knew he was a sponsor at AA, he helped two people very close to me. Things I learned about Matt at his memorial: He mentored A LOT of people in AA and went to mass every day. Matt liked fast cars. Matt served in Vietnam and was awarded 3 Purple Hearts & 2 Bronze Stars. Matt was deeply loved by his family and friends.


Running the Bistro has given me the opportunity to carry on a great legacy, but even more, it has given me the opportunity to learn. Sometimes, unfortunately, through trial and error but mostly, I hope, through positive shared experiences. Thanks for being a part of that.

Cheers,
Sharon