his dad how he made some dish-
es, Nerio would say, "I just go into
the kitchen and the pots and pans
talk to me."
Since opening, Lelli's has
served, conservatively speaking,
about 50 million people ... The
walls at Lelli's have many inter-
esting stories to tell.
Biggest fish sellers are orange
roughy and Norwegian salmon ...
Lobster tail remains the largest
seafood asked-for entree.
All dinners at Lelli's include
antipasto, salad bowl, mine-
strone, spaghetti, dessert and
bread basket.
Except spaghetti, all pastas are
homemade.
The changing of the guard at
Lelli's brings yet another family
generation ... Steven Lelli, 24, and
Beckie Lelli, 26, Mike's son and
daughter who have worked at the
restaurant since children.
Both are now not only owners
of Lelli's, but continuing the
grand tradition of this fine restau-
rant operation ... Each is capable
of filling in at any position, from
bussing tables to serving to wash-
ing dishes, etc.
Some traditions
never change.
Beckie does all the accounting,
handles the advertising, prepares
sauces and cooks ... She and Steve
make all the major decisions in a
way of which Nerio would be so
proud.
If undecided, it is so much to
the credit of these two young peo-
ple that they are not ashamed to
ask for advice if the occasion
should need it.
Steven is capable of doing any-
thing necessary at the restaurant
... He can wash dishes, park cars,
cook, make soups and sauces,
book parties, etc.... He and Beck-
ie also represent the restaurant
in outside catering operations.
If anybody at Lelli's walks out
... regardless who ... Mike has
trained Steven and Beckie to do
whatever is required.
All three are very close ...
Steve, Beckie and Chris, their
first cousin.
This year, another Lelli's will
open on Opdyke and Feather-
stone, near the Silverdome and
Palace, in Auburn Hills, seating
about 350.
The three will be active at both
dining spots as Lelli's continues
on to even greater heights.
The observance of Lelli's as an
always reliable restaurant with
so much pride in a revered back-
ground is noteworthy.
Lelli's Inn has been taken for
granted ... and why not? ... It has
always been there ... and still will
be whenever good food, good ser-
vice and good management is
wanted.
As one former Detroiter said,
"We may have left Detroit, but
Lelli's on Woodward has never
left us."
BACK HOME AGAIN ... and
a portrait of Chuck Muer will
greet folks at the new Chuck
Muer's Seafood Tavern, which
will open March 17 on Maple
Road, off Orchard Lake Road ...
It's the former Red Robin site that
came in after Bloomfield
Charley's and Pal's.
The fine portrait of Chuck will
be in all Chuck Muer restau-
rants ... "so people don't ever for-
get my dad," says daughter
Susan Muer.
CONGRATS ... to Gary Kap-
py of Jack's Place ... on his birth-
day ... celebrated at Brook's
restaurant in Boca Raton, Fla.,
with wife Viola and 28 friends
and relatives ... to Paul Lebowitz
... on his 70th birthday.
THE NEW northwest spot of
Andiamo? ... It'll be at the previ-
ous over-30-year locale of Machus
Red Fox on Telegraph south of
Maple ... Opening for dining and
banquets at this terrific location
is slated to be around June.
THAT BIG extravaganza to
raise funds for the Michigan Culi-
nary Team, competing in the
Culinary Olympics in Berlin this
September, is almost here ... Date
is Feb. 20, 6:30 p.m., at Mac &
Ray's on North River Road in
Harrison Township ... Judging of
local restaurant and chef food
competition will be by personali-
ty reviewers ... Money raised will
also go for the very worthy culi-
nary scholarships of local college
food preparation programs ... The
students will also compete among
themselves.
REUNION DEPT. ... 20-year
shindig by Southfield High class
of 1976, is set for Aug. 31 at
Northfield Hilton ... Contact Min-
am Foner Gould, (810) 588-5541.
NOTHING LIKE some Dix-
ieland music for a Mardi Gras cel-
ebration, and that's what it'll be
at Jack's Waterfront Restaurant,
Feb. 20, when Dixiebelle and the
Dixiecats perform 8:30 p.m. to
midnight for the second annual
bash.
While Dixiebelle and her
band, six men and vocals, does
their authentic New Orleans
rhythms, Jack's, off East Jef-
ferson between Nine and 10 Mile
in St. Clair Shores, will be trans
formed into a Mardi Gras flavor
with official colors of purple,
green and gold ... Traditional
beads will be given to women
and doubloons passed out to all
... No cover or minimum.
NUMBER THREE of the ris-
ing Sunrise Cafe chain has been
opened by owner Mike Kucher-
sky ... It's on Orchard Lake Road,
just north of 13 Mile in the for-
mer locale of Greek Boy restau-
rant ... Seating is for over 50 in
an airy, clean and pleasant at-
mosphere with art deco paint-
ings. ❑
Your Hosts: Tommy Peristeris & Rick Rogow
Welcome to the best Greek food this side of Greektown
featuring the finest lamb chops among other excellent Greek favorites.
JOIN US FOR LUNCH OR DINNER
Open 7 Days • Carry-Out Available
7
LIVE JAZA,
THURSDAY & FRIDAY
8 p.m. to 12 Midnight
featuring
Millie Scott and Kevin Crosby
Let Us CATER Your Next Affair.
We Accept Reservations For
All Private Occasions
6199 Orchard Lake Rd. (N. of Maple) 7374600
Asa
BAR &GRILL
- Children's Menu
- Family Dining
- Daily Lunch & Dinner Specials
- Late Night Menu
- Pizza
- Sandwiches
- lb. Burgers
- Heart Health Dishes
- Salads
- Complete Lunch & Dinner Menus
- Happy Hour 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Casual Fun Atmosphere
LARGE SCREEN TV - DARTS - VIDEO GAMES
Special Micro Brew Inventory - Thursday College Night 9 p.m.
HALSTED VILLAGE PLAZA
31610 W.12 MILE ROAD - (810) 848-9009
Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-2 a.m., Sunday noon-Midnight
CO
C)
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Associations
Fighting Heart Disease
and Stroke
93