* FARMINGTON HILLS crazy when he came up with the idea, but his fun emporium, with 24 tables for lunch snacks too, is among few like it in the nation. Video games, pinball machines, antique games, unique posters, artifacts, etc. including an old-time photo booth that works, make up this party favorite where both youngsters and adults get equally involved. 0) Peacock Cafe & Grill, 25938 Middlebelt Road, Farmington Hills, 476-1750. Another of those good and clean neigh- borhood restaurants that fea- ture home-style cooking, fresh seafood and a variety of dish- es all low prices. A new, ever- evolving and well diversified menu for all tastebuds is fea- tured. True family dining here is nestled at the corner of a well- trafficked shopping center. co Roman Terrace II, 37610 W. 12 Mile, Halstead Village Plaza, Farmington Hills, 553-0080. From the ashes of a tragic fire that gutted this very successful Italian restaurant, owners Bob McDonald and Harry Phinney have opened Roman Terrace Ii. It features the same fine menu as on Orchard Lake Rd. & 12 Mile, plus executive its chef as before the fire, and many of the previous waitstaff to provide the enjoyable food and service customers always expected. (I) Vineyard's Taste of Sea- sons, 32418 Northwestern, Farmington Hills, 855-9463. Here is where a one-time party store has turned into a highly- popular carry-out and sitdown restaurant both inside and out- side. Shirlee Bloom's take-out and catering for all affairs from weddings to bar mitzvahs is a big Vineyard's Taste of Seasons asset in homes, halls or club- houses, with all traditional Jew- ish dishes made fresh daily using only kosher products. a) Wing Hong, 31455W. 14 Mile, Farmington Hills, 851-7400. One side serves Cantonese, Szechuan and Mandarin food. The other, Tokyo Japanese Steak House, features a Sushi Bar along with Japanese dishes for table dining. Wing Hong is celebrating its 18th anniversary at this location but over 30 years in the Metropolitan De- troit area. Daily lunch and din- ner specials are both Chinese and Japanese. (I) * LATHRUP LaFendi, 27060 Evergreen, Lathrup Landing, Lathrup, 559- 9099. It's changeover is amaz- ing from the former Sol's Delicatessen to an elegant at- mosphere where all areas are a different decor. LaFendi serves mid-eastern and American cui- sine seven days a week with the kitchen open until 10:30 p.m. Many of the mid-eastern dish- es are not found in any restau- rant of its type and a big favorite is the Raw Juice Bar with fresh squeezed fruits and vegetables. Catering is avail- able. 0) * LIVONIA American Inn, 15800 Middle- belt, Livonia, 522-5600. Ange- lis Anastasiou is noted as a fine operator of family restaurants. American Inn is number two, with his Dimitri's of Farmington on Grand River already an es- tablished operation for com- * LIVONIA OAK PARK plete dining. American Inn also has a full menu of homemade dishes and is open 7 days a week featuring lamb chops, seafood, Greek favorites, pas- ta, chicken, children's menu, health dishes, etc. 11 a.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. serving Szechuan, Man- darin and Cantonese food. Car- ry-out service is available plus banquet facilities. (I) (I) D. Dennison's Seafood Tav- ern of Livonia, 37716 W. 6 Mile, Laurel Park Place, Livonia, 464-9030. D. Dennison's has an established reputation for moderately-priced seafood from Florida, Boston and the Great Lakes. The atmosphere is lively and informal with a fresh raw bar and early dining specials. Also featured are pas- ta, chicken dishes, salads and sandwiches, plus a children's menu. (I) * NORTHVILLE Little Italy, 227 Hutton, Northville, 348-0575. One time it was a French restaurant. Now the Victorian elegance has been transformed into a pleasant Ital- ian dining spot serving veals, seafood and pasta dishes among a wide variety of spe- cialties that have added to its popularity. Little Italy serves cocktails and has the Valente touch of realism. (I) Rocky's, 41122 W. Seven Mile Rd., Northville, 349-4434. The former corporate executive chef of C.A. Muer is proprietor of a place he can rightfully say, "I'm back home." This is the same building Chuck Rachwitz (Chef Rocky) began working for Chuck Muer in 1976 as his kitchen manager. The menu features eight or more fresh fish entrees plus steak, chops, Iamb, duck, chicken, stir frys, pastas and Rocky's noted Roadkill Chili.0) * NOVI Ah Wok, 41563 W. 10 Mile Rd., Novi Plaza, Novi, 349-9260. Rated among the top gourmet Chinese restaurants in this area, Ah Wok is also still a big favorite on standard traditional dining. For years, adventurous cus- tomers have enjoyed the elab- orate offerings with their imaginative style of preparation which have proven delightful palate-pleasers. (I) * OAK PARK Bread Basket Deli, 10X Mile and Greenfield, Lincoln Shop- ping Center, Oak Park, 968- 0022. A favorite of many people for breakfast, lunch, din- ner and after-theater, this has the aura of a modernistic deli- catessen so apparent with col- orful decor. A children's menu is featured along with party trays. The Bread Basket Deli is open Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (o Golden Bowl, 22106 Coolidge at 9 Mile, Oak Park, 398-5502. The knowledge of Chef Frank Eng is widespread in Chinese dining. Golden Bowl is open seven days, Mon.-Thurs. from SEAFOOD Hoa Kow, 13715 W. 9 Mile, Oak Park, 547-4663. One of Oak Park's pioneers, Hoa Kow is a favorite of people from all walks of life and all parts of the Detroit and Metropolitan ar- eas. Plus Cantonese Szechuan and Mandarin foods, Hoa Kow Oak Park and its second loca- tion Hoa Kow West Bloomfield at Crosswinds Mall are famous for their varieties of white fish, selling over 1,500 pounds a week. (I) Modern Delicatessen, 25290 Greenfield, Oak Park, 968-8000. Some say it opened in 1926 but most agree that Modern Deli- catessen unlocked its doors in 1936. Whatever the year, it is one of Detroit's oldest names in the restaurant business. Mod- em's second location, on Green- field just south of 1-696, still serves the same homemade tra- ditional Jewish foods for which it has been known, only in a much more modernistic at- mosphere. Tray catering? Of course. (I) Dine in the great room of an auto baron's Grosse Pointe mansion, that is now our main dining room, or listen to a master of ragtime and boogie piano in the bar of this quintessential Chuck Muer seafood restaurant. (at the Northfield Hilton) 5498 Crooks Road Troy, Michigan • (313) 879-2060 THAI * ROYAL OAK Chick-N Ribs, 118 S. Wood- ward, Royal Oak, 544-1211. Much has been said about this dine in and carry-out restaurant whose specialties of broasted or bar-b-q chicken and bar-b- q ribs have received much at- tention, but as regular customers say, the proof is in the tasting. It's open seven days, Sun.-Thurs. 11-10, Fri. & Sat. 11-11. a) * SOUTHFIELD Alia's, 27167 Greenfield, Southfield, 559-8222. A good family restaurant serving Amer- ican and Lebanese cuisine, Alia's owners Dania and Ed Farah are proud of their homemade spe- cialties prepared from natural ingredients. It is open 7 days a week serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Carry-out of its en- tire menu is available as is off- premise catering. (I) 28100 Embassy Suites, Franklin Rd., Southfield 350- 2000. There is much to say about Executive Chef John P. Vo- gel meier. Being a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, a member of the Michigan Chefs de Cuisine and teacher of private cooking classes. (I) Excalibur, 28875 Franklin Rd., Southfield, 358-3355. When for- mer owner Pat Archer passed on, people said Excalibur would also go. However, they didn't reckon with Marty Wilk, own- er/chef who has made it one of Metropolitan Detroit's marked- ly popular dining and dancing spots. It's Frank Sinatra's fa- vorite while in the local area. Entertainment is Tues. thru Sat. and complete catering at Ex- calibur plus homes, halls, etc. (I) Continued on Page 87 RESTAURANT The Newest Thai Restaurant in Town! RATED *** DETROIT NEWS • LUNCH SPECIALS FROM 11-4 PM • CARRY OUT & CATERING AVAILABLE FOR RESERVATIONS: (313) 626-6313 6635 Orchard Lk. Rd. at Maple • Old Orchard Shopping Ctr. HOURS: Mon.-Thur. 11 AM-10 PM, Fri. & Sat 11 AM-11 PM, Sun. 12-9 PM c_ WATERFRONT PIZZA! Key Largo listened and our kitchen crew developed the best recipe in DEEP DISH and THIN ROUND pizzas from $4.95 each PASTA! PASTA! PASTA! The finest NEW recipes, prepared invididually and priced from $7.95 142 E. Walled Lake Dr., Walled Lake 669-1441