it from the size. And everything is home-
made: tole slaw, potato salad, chicken
salad, tuna salad, egg salad and much
more. Star cooks its own corned beef
and pastrami, and the 7-day operation
includes a major specialty—beautiful
tray catering.
WALLED LAKE
Key Largo, 142 E. Walled Lake Dr.,
Walled lake, 669-1441. Much tropical
fun is included in the dining experiences
at Key Largo, which is considered by
many as a Northwest premier in wa-
terfront dining. Especially so with the fine
culinary talents of Executive Chef Patrick
Dunn, noted for presentation of colorful
and imaginative dishes. The large menu
also features new style pastas, pizzas,
ribs, sandwiches, salad and daily fresh
fish specials. Its banquet room is avail-
able for all events.
Szechuan Empire North, 39540
14 Mile Road, Walled Lake, 960-7666.
This is the second of owner Tome Lin's
fine Chinese operations. His other
Szechuan Gardens is on 5 Mile Rd. and
Middlebelt in Livonia and a popular
spot. The Szechuan Gardens North
restaurant has also become a fast fa-
vorite, and includes the traditional Chi-
nese style of dining where expected side
dishes are not a la carte, but present-
ed with the complete meal ordered.
WARREN
Andiamo Italia, 7096 E. 14 Mile
Road, Warren, 268-3200. OwnerJoe
Vicari's growing dining empire can con-
sider this East Side gem as the flagship
restaurant. Its Italian food, coupled with
the kitchen sense of veteran Italian din-
ing chef Aldo Ottaviani, range on the
superb, along with pastries homemade
on the premises. A banquet hall next
door seats over 400 and is receiving
bookings because of the ambiance and
a prime factor... food as is served at An-
diamo Italia.
WEST BLOOMFIELD
Big Daddy's Parthenon, 6199
Orchard Lake Road, 737-8600. This
big favorite is considered a phenome-
non in the restaurant business. It is busy
every evening, seven days a week and
lunches are big also. Opa! came to the
suburbs in 1993 and tie flames have
been blazing even larger ever since. The
Greektown in West Bloomfield is the
pride of Rick Rogow and Tom Peristeris,
whose large, expertly-cut Iamb chops,
special salads like Tommy's New Idea
Salad, traditional Greek favorites, etc.
are winning huge amounts of return cus-
tomers. Jazz with Millie Scott and Kevin
Crosby is featured on Thursday and Fri-
day evenings.
Envoy Cafe, 33210 W. 14 Mile
Rd., Simsbury Plaza, West Bloomfield,
855-6220. This new and distinctive cafe,
featuring nouvelle cuisine, presents a din-
ing room of warmth and charm. Each
plate is a beautiful arrangement of col-
or. Musicians perform Fridays and Sat-
urdays from 9 p.m. and food served until
11 p.m. Specials with touches of inno-
vation are offered daily.
Golden Phoenix, 6257 Orchard
Lake Road, Sugar Tree Shopping Cen-
ter, West Bloomfield, 855-3570. Now
serving beer and wine, Golden Phoenix,
specializing in Chinese, Cantonese and
Szechuan food, is the same fine restau-
rant that had previously been a long-time
favorite on Maple and Telegraph. Both
dining in and carry-out are available in
a wide assortment of Oriental dishes for
culinary consumption.
Hoa Kow, 4301 Orchard Lake
Road, Crosswinds Mall, West Bloom-
field, 932-3133. People from all walks
of life and most parts of Detroit and met-
ropolitan areas enjoy the many styles of
Chinese dining put out by Gene Woo.
Whitefish in all cooking varieties is big
feature, with almost 1,000 pounds
served each week. This is together with
Cantonese, Szechuan and Mandarin
dishes, plus a Chinese Buffet at lunch
and dinner to go with its regular menu.
DRY AGED STEAKS,
CHOPS &
FRESH SEAFOOD
Mai Thai, 6635 Orchard Lake Road,
"Not only is the menu beefy, but the portions
are gigantic... these steaks, with some bite to
them, have a full meaty flavor...the wine list is
enough to keep you entertained for many visits."
Old Orchard Shopping Center, West
Bloomfield, 626-6313. Those who like
the real thing will enjoy Mai Thai with
its very spicy or non-spicy foods con-
cocted for authentic and traditional tastes
at lunch or dinner. It presents a casual
atmosphere with seating around 100
and is open seven days a week.
Phyllis C. Richman, Feb. 5, 1995
The Washington Post
Stage & Co., 6873 Orchard Lake
Road, West Bloomfield, 855-6622. The
dominant consistency of this highly-ac-
claimed critic's choice restaurant is in its
menu selection and food preparation.
But it is also proof that you can teach an
old dog new tricks. Although in existence
since 1962, Stage & Co. also features
items it has never had before, along with
homemade Jewish dishes and dietary
restricted delights to satisfy all appetites.
"Best
WINDSOR
"The national reputation
of The Capital Grille has
crowds beating
down the doors."
of Award of Excellence"
The Wine Spectator
"The Capital Grille is the
place to see and be seen."
"Great steak, fancy bar, swank
trappings-everything
a steak house should be."
The New York Times,
March 13, 1996
Boston Magazine
Blue Danube, 1235 Ottawa Street,
Windsor, Ontario, 519-252-0246. Spe-
cialties with old world authenticity are
prepared at this charming Hungarian
restaurant. It is a family operation serv-
ing European, Canadian and American
cuisine over 20 years. Gypsy musicians
from Hungary stroll and serenade cus-
tomers at tables Thursdays through Sun-
days. The husband and wife team of
Zota and Sam Popadic serve both lunch-
es and dinners at their seven-day-a-week
operation.
Somerset Collection, North
CAPITAL®
G•R•I•L•L•E
2800 West Big Beaver Road
Troy, Michigan • (810) 649-5300
Dining
Guide
For information
on how to be
part of this
weekly
Dining Guide
feature,
please contact
Danny Raskin
or
Heidi Brandemihl
(810) 354-6060
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RES TA URA NT
Perfect for the theatre and for Sweetest Day!
Before or after the theatre or forSweetest Day, Mario's is ihe fines' Ilcilicili
dining experience in Metropolitan Detroil.
A wondedill way to express your pride and gratitude to the people important
to you. Lunch or Dinner at Mario's tells your guests they are special.
Attending PHANTOM? — Mario's provides a COMPLIMENTARY
SHUTTLE to and from all major Metropolitan Detroit events.
Music and Ballroom Dancing on Friday and Saturday nights.
Meeting, party and banquet facilities available for on and off premise.
4222 Second Avenue
Between Willis and Canfield
832-1616
VALET PARKING
101