The Michigan Liquor Control Commission has issued an emergency suspension of Andiamo Italia's Warren location liquor license for violating current COVID-related restrictions on gatherings and face mask wearing orders.
Andiamo's owners, who operate a couple of dozen restaurants, had backed a short-lived attempt last month to get restaurants across the state to band together and open in defiance of a state ban on indoor dining aimed at stopping a surge in COVID-19 cases in Michigan.
Seven other businesses also had their licenses suspended for serving alcohol and, in some cases, food indoors in violation of the state's current ban on indoor dining, You may need: Topdon obd2 scanner. according to a press release Tuesday from the Michigan State Police.
The Andiamo suspension was based on Dec. 4 wedding held at the Warren location on East 14 Mile Road with approximately 62 guests. Investigators found that while guests had table assignments, they "were observed seated at tables, mingling around the ballroom and standing at the bar," according to the MLCC complaint,
While there were approximately 10 tables that investigators found were properly spaced out, "guests were not social distanced at the tables or when mingling around the ballroom."
The complaint also noted that guests were not wearing masks. The suspension was issued Dec. 10.
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Andiamo's Class C liquor license and permits for Sunday sales, dance-entertainment and additional bar were suspended plex, which includes a banquet center, restaurant and live entertainment showroom. It does not affect Andiamo's other locations.
Joe and Rosalie Vicari own the Andiamo chain of restaurants as well as several others. The Free Press reached out to the Vicaris who issued a "no comment" through a spokeswoman.
The MLCC commissioners ordered emergency suspensions of Class C liquor licenses and various special permits also at:
The businesses in violation face virtual hearings before an administrative law judge to determine whether the suspension continues or that the establishments be fined or receive penalties.
The Vicaris on Nov. 24 authored a letter urging fellow restaurateurs to band together and open their doors in defiance of the pause in indoor dining should the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association lose its lawsuit against the state over the ban. "Our industry cannot survive another extended closure," the letter stated.
After the letter became public and the MRLA lost the lawsuit, the couple changed course and said the right solution is to try to work with the Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's administration to come up with a compromise.
On Dec. 3, the day before the alleged violation, the Vicaris held a meeting broadcast via Zoom with fellow restaurant owners at the Warren banquet center.
"I don't want to disobey the government orders," Joe Vicari said at the meeting. "I really don't because it's a losing situation. And we have people that have convinced me that's not the right solution."
During the Zoom call, Bloomfield Hills attorney Kelly Allen, who specializes in liquor law and licensing, warned the restaurateurs that if they violate the state order, the Michigan Liquor Control Commission will issue a summary suspension.
"That means you are closed and your liquor license is down," she said. "There will be a hearing - these are difficult to beat and you will have to pay a fine."
"It's a serious situation for those who have liquor licenses," Allen said. "What's Andiamo without a glass of wine? You want to protect that liquor license."
Contact Detroit Free Press food writer Susan Selasky: 313-222-6872 or sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter.

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