James David Lark
B.S., LL.B., J.D., Law and Accounting, Maitre Sommelier Vins de France, Chevalier du Tastevin, Officier Maitre de Table L’Academie-Brillat-Savarin, Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs, Commandeur du Bontemps Medoc Graves.
Jim Lark is old, old Detroit, his mother’s French Canadian ancestors having moved to this area from Quebec in the mid-18th Century. After a variety of careers in Law and the builders industry in which he built some 1,000 homes, he and wife Mary opened The Lark in June, 1981. Jim’s book “The Ultimate Lark” has won raves from many, including noted writers Elmore “Dutch” Leonard, Jim Harrison, and Len Barnes. Jim, being part Prussian, is a perfectionist and prowls the restaurant searching for something to correct or have done. He is proud of the various sommelier honors bestowed upon him as well as the almost routine awards as our regions best maitre ‘d. He enjoys talking with patrons about his worldly travels and advising on food and wine selections, and can be counted on for controversial statements on many subjects. Jim has strong opinions about wine pairings and does not shy away from kind-heartedly voicing his disapproval of folks drinking big red wines with the largely seafood first course!