"Dining in the D" Visits The Fiddler

The bright lights came to West Bloomfield on Thursday when the “Dining in the D” film crew visited .

The Fiddler will be one of 39 Detroit area restaurants featured on the 1-week series that will premiere on WTVS/Channel 56 on Wednesday, May 4, at 7:30 p.m. Host and chef consultant, Tom Keshishian (known as Chef Tom to viewers), takes viewers from the front of the house to the kitchens and talks with owners and chefs about their restaurants, signature dishes and the interesting stories behind them. Restaurants featured on “Dining in the D” range from elegant, white tablecloth establishments to everyday family-friendly fare.

“We chose to highlight the Fiddler because of its regional Russian foods – Russian, Mediterranean, Jewish and Armenian,” Keshishian said. “It covers all of the bases of hearty food with a twist. It’s one of the very few such restaurants in the Detroit area.”

The film crew spent four hours taping a 6½ -minute segment, which will show how some of its dishes are made;  touch on the restaurant’s concept, which is known for its lively and festive Russian musical entertainment on weekends; and a chat with The Fiddler owner, Irina Ismaliova, whose family purchased the eatery earlier this year. Chef Tom will also demonstrate the proper way to do a Russian vodka toast.

Ismaliova was delighted to be asked by the “Dining in the D” to be included in the show.

“Nobody here knows about Russian traditions and Russian kitchens,” Ismailov said. “We try to make this a place where people can learn about it through good food and good entertainment."

The Fiddler’s segment is expected to air in late June. For more information on “Dining in the D,” visit dininginthed.com.