THE HAKATA JAPANESE RESTAURANT (Formerly Nippon ka i) PROUDLY BRINGS YOU AUTHENTIC JAPANESE DINING Lunch and Dinner Featuring Elegant Cuisine at Reasonable Prices In An Atmosphere of Gracious Warmth • Private Japanese Booths • Sushi Bar • Cocktails, Including Sake 0 • en 7 Da s Lunch: Mon.-Fri. 11:30-2 p.m. Dinner: Mon. -Sat. 5:30-10:30 p.m. Sunday 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. 737-7220 Fax: 737-7223 32443 Northwestern Hwy. Between Middlebelt & 14 Mile 761 8 Woodward Ave. Reminiscing On The New Year About Wonderful Old Haunts ... Another year as we look back at some more dining places visited in the yester- Clays. It was worth the trip to see why the Old Mill on Dixie Highway in Waterford was owner John Laffrey's dream come true ... The past was beautifully restored as evidenced by huge beams, Italian archways and old brick and barnwood ... There were lush hanging baskets and mass- es of fresh greenery everywhere ... Food portions were man-sized, yet prices very reasonable. John's Steaks On The Hearth, Seven Mile just west of Telegraph, is still there, although not owned by him now ... His New Yorkish steak house offered a hearty meal ... It used to have a salad bar from where you could see your steak be- ing cooked to order. Menu items changed frequent- ly at L'Auberge in Somerset Inn on West Big Beaver, but main- tained its continental flavor as be- '97 871 1590 - OPEN SUNDAYS 12 noon to 9 p.m. Our Daily Hour... Mon. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Tues. Thru Thurs. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun 12 noon-9 p.m. LIGHT SIDE MENU AVAILABLE ANYTIME SPECIAL QUALITY PARTIES up to 200 Specializing In: Bar Mitzvahs, Weddings, Birthdays, Sweet 16s, Anniversaries Ask About Our Special Appetizer Parties Open 7 Days Lunch & Dinner Low Banquet Rates For All Occasions FALAFIL A SPECIALITY Restaurant ❑QUALITY ❑AM1OSPHERE ❑VALUE Mideastern & American Cuisine 27060 Evergreen at 1-696 & 11 In Lathrup Landing • 559-9099 RAW JUICE BAR With Fresh-S•ueezed Fruits & Ve • etables r Buy One Entree At Regular Price 1 Get Second Entree E • ual or Lesser Value HALF THE PRICE! 0 71 • Dine In Only • With Coupon • 1 Coupon Per Couple • Not Valid With Other Offers Expires 12-31-97 JN _1 IMINNORIMMANIMINIMONA fitted the French country-like surroundings ... The place had a restrained elegance and on week- ends a romantic mood was creat- ed by strolling musicians ... Patrons enjoyed the visual and oral effects of flaming desserts pre- pared at their table. La Place was the St. Regis Ho- tel's well-known dining room with the accent on plush French decor ... Here on West Grand Boulevard was a natural setting for the cos- mopolitan and varied cuisine, with specialization in the preparation and cooking of dishes at your table. The L-Bow Room on Harper in Harper Woods was a small, friend- ly place where the patrons suc- cessfully supplied their own en- everyone's favorite, plus the riga- tertainment and frequently filled toni with Mitch's own special the room with laughter (especial- white sauce ... Also the ribs ... Tony ly when manager Jack Miller did and his son Kevin still operate his parlor tricks) ... A huge brick Mitch's ... but with an unrecog- fireplace dominated the room and nizable menu ... and Bill has the adjacent old-fashioned sit- Mitch's II on Highland Road in down bar ... Secluded booths had Waterford. The Money Tree that was re- good, warm lighting and soft mu- opened at the same locale sic. on West Fort had a Holi- The Little Cafe on day Award-winning Gratiot had been owned menu ... imaginative, the by the Colo family over result of an eye to detail 50 years ... The place of and a delight in variety ... honor over the bar was Warm, airy and modern held by the world's decor was enforced by largest beer stein ... Its subdued classical music closest competition was DANNY RASKIN every night ... A true lun- a carved cuckoo clock LOC AL cheon menu and daily which was over 100 COLUM NIST years old ... This very dinner variations were in the orbit of French German-accented restaurant had two large dining provincial cuisine a la Money Tree. The Motor Bar Steak House in areas plus the Stube Room, a cozy the Sheraton-Cadillac Hotel on little place for private parties. Mattie's Bar-B-Q on Dexter Washington Boulevard was pat- near Tuxedo had a yellow and terned after an olde English inn ... black sign that meant family-style At night there was a more-than- soul food all day, most days, to a ample salad bar and a strolling cart from which flaming dishes were prepared at your table. Piper's Alley on Mack Avenue in Grosse Pointe Farms was a mecca for the young and young- at-heart Grosse Pointe crowd ... It had a pleasing blend of informal- ity and sophisti- cation. In a semi-row- dy atmosphere (alive with cama- raderie) at the ta- bles surrounding the large center bar-area at Porter Street Station, on Porter between Trumbull and 8th whole lot of folks from all parts of Street, were actual rolling stock railroad signs, switches and town. Mr. Paul's Chop House, on Tiffany lamps ... Also a train bell Groesbeck between 12 and 13, was that rang at cocktail time signal- owned by Paul Gogo, assisted by ing special drink rates. In Ann Arbor on East Liberty, his two sons, two daughters and two brothers ... Favorite flaming the Pretzel Bell was famous from dishes were the chateaubriand the worlds of education, science, and shish-kebab ... A special Cae- athletics, music and the theater ... sar salad could also be prepared Dinner, full liquor service and a popular luncheon buffet were of- at your table. Time was when Mitch's Tavern fered amid brick walls, 62 Tiffany on Cass-Elizabeth Road in Wa- lamps, roaring fireplaces and team terford was run by Tony and Bill photos from 1883 on ... It was a Mitchell ... Everybody talked about tradition for folks to carve their the huge and good portions they initials in the table tops. Over on Military in Port Huron, served up to throngs of family reg- ulars who loved the pizza and sal- about a mile from the 1-94 exit, the ads ... Their hot salt bread was Reef was as close to a nautical mu-