Big Beaver Tavern

Molly Abraham, Detroit News Restaurant Critic: Formerly Larco's, an upscale Italian restaurant, the free-standing building has been transormed into a tavern with a casual atmosphere and menu, including hamburgers, sandwiches and other American dishes, as well as pastas and a steak. A dance floor and live entertainment have been added. The days of leisurely Italian meals have given way to HD TV and disk jockeys. There's little doubt that many people want some entertainment, and proprietors Mark and Sue Larco, whose family has been serving Italian food since the early '50's, have made the drastic change while keeping tradition alive at their Larco's Italian Grill on Orchard Lake Road at Maple Road in West Bloomfield.