MIMMIMPMEIE.
seum as could be found in this re-
gion ... Figureheads, fine ship mod-
els, diving suits, a cannon,
binnacles, telegraph/repeaters and
more from some of the world's
greatest ships were here in profu-
sion.
At one time, when Pat Elwell
had the Shalea Inn on Auburn
Road, it was a well-kept secret un-
til being discovered and recom-
mended by Holiday magazine ...
Folks who lived in the Pontiac area
and those who traveled to Pine
Knob and Pontiac's Wisner Sta-
dium knew about its special fa-
vorites that included combination
plates for two with wine in a con-
tinental focus ... Decor was in the
old English mode.
On Utica Road at 13 Mile in
Fraser, Sheppard's Inn was a com-
fortable, convivial and relaxed
place to go ... The first thing peo-
ple saw at the entrance was an old-
fashioned paddle wheel slowly
turning.
Downriver in Trenton, on West
JefferseL, Sibley Gardens offered
an oasis and hearty watering hole
to the neighboring iron and steel
crowd and regu-
lars from the area
... Friendly wait-
resses were
prompt and effi-
cient and, in the
light of strong
Tiffany colors and
comfortable booths, produced an
interesting mixture of ease and a
somewhat electric atmosphere.
On East 12 Mile between
Groesbeck and Schoenherr in
Warren was the Sixpence ... Olde
English in tone, with large, com-
fortable leather-lined booths, stuc-
co walls and flickering candles in
wine bottles ... The copper bar was
a handsome addition to a restau-
rant whose stock in trade was an
imaginative menu presented in
a romantic atmosphere ... espe-
cially from the discreet yet direct
lighting via hammered metal
chandeliers.
One of our better restaurants,
the Van Dyke Place on Van Dyke
just north of East Jefferson, is
thankfully still in business ... op-
erated by co-owner Ron Fox and
continually drawing accolades for
its wonderful food.
Years back, Gerry and Nellie
Maas took over an old French
townhouse in Indian Village and
retained most of its finely worked
original details ... naming it Van
Dyke Place ... The jewel-like set-
ting was accented by intricate
carved woodwork, stained glass
windows, high ceilings and a
sweeping staircase ... Gerry ran
the three small dining rooms and
Nellie was the chef ... Together
they created an aura of serenity
and refinement which Ron has
wonderfully retained.
Localites used to swarm to Var-
go's of Livonia, on West Six Mile
just west of Middlebelt ... The at-
mosphere was being back in New
Orleans in the early 1900s, ... Mu-
sic for entertainment and dancing
was nightly, usually provided by
Billy Rose and his group.
Victor's Campus Inn on East
Huron in Ann Arbor provided a
semi-formal atmosphere that was
comfortable, relaxing and permit-
ted leisurely dining ... The break-
fast buffet was extensive and very
popular on football weekends, as
were the weekday luncheon spe-
cials.
The London Chop House wasn't
the only place that Chef Pancho
Valez won much acclaim ... Mul-
ti-award winning Pancho held
forth in the light and airy French
garden setting of the Vint-
age Room on Quarry Road in
Riverview ... The gourmet restau-
rant provided both luncheons and
an after-theater Night Owl menu
in addition to civilized dinners
with music and dancing most
nights ... Once a month it used to
feature ethnic food and music.
Many folks used to go out to
Bernardi's Olde Town Cafe on
Auburn Road in Utica, just west
of Cass and north of M-59 ... Rea-
son was the Bernardi family serv-
ing up home
cooking that
was often bet-
ter than that
prepared by its
customers ...
Their small,
beautifully
lighted restaurant had beamed
ceilings, church pews which served
as seats in the dining area and
Mexican tin lamp shades ... The
senior Bernardi and son were, re-
spectively, Ford Motor and Gen-
eral Motors chefs by day while
their wives minded the store ... At
night, the two men supervised the
cooking ... Menu items were the
same for lunch and dinner ... Joe
senior and wife Helma today have
Pepino's in Walled Lake.
The tiny village of Manchester
(population 1,600) had a consis-
tent winner with the Black Sheep
Tavern on East Main Street, just
west of M-52 ... It had been a re-
liable standby since 1873 with fine
food, rustic, attractively decorat-
ed upstairs and downstairs dining
areas and excellent service ... The
then recently opened Black Sheep
Repertory Theater was across the
street, with drama and musicals,
concerts, guest artists, children's
theater and traveling shows.
Chuck Muer's Bloomfield
Charley's on West Maple, east of
Orchard Lake Road (now Chuck
Muer's Seafood Tavern), sported
gingham tablecloths, a popcorn
machine, electronic games, an old
nickelodeon, and a giant color TV
screen ... The accent seemed not to
be strictly on seafood, but also on
a fun-for-the-family atmosphere.
Cardinali's on Mitchell was de-
scribed as a scene from The God-
father, with nice Italian ladies
serving home-style pasta.
La Marmite on Larned was
reminiscent of a French country
cellar, with the accent on amour. ❑
WE ARE PROUD TO BRING YOU THE ABSOLUTE FINEST IN
GREEK CUISINE ... SERVED BY AN EXCELLENT WAITSTAFF AMID
A SURROUNDING OF CONGENIAL LAUGHTER AND ENJOYMENT.
OUR IAMB CHOPS AND AWARD-WINNING TOMMY SALAD ...
AMONG OTHER FAMOUS GREEK SPECIALTIES ...
HAVE BEEN ACCLAIMED AS MICHIGAN'S BEST.
Your Hosts, Rick Rogow and Tommy Peristeris
Invite You To Join Us
For Lunch and Dinner Seven Days
Thoughts of great
places in the Detroit
area.
LIVE JAZZ T8 Hp UmR tDo A1 Y2 &m iFRIDAY
MILLI E TT
corannPdany
ASK ABOUT THE EXCELLENT CATERING
SERVICES IN OUR PRIVATE FACILITIES
6199 Orchard Lake Rd., N. of Maple • 737-8600
A Restaurant and Banquet Facility
Featuring Fine Continental Cuisine Including All Your Favorite
Greek Specialties . . . and the Award-Winning Tommy Salad
NOW ACCEPTING BANQUET RESERVATIONS FOR
1998
1999
AND
2000
• Weddings
• Showers
• Bar/Bat Mitzvahs • Anniversaries
• Sweet 16s
• Birthdays
• Brises
• Reunions
• Office Parties
From 50 To 300
Restaurant Hours:
Sunday-Friday
5 p.m.-10 p.m.
Closed Saturdays
For Private Parties
ti
C)
810-788-4567
5586 Drake Road
South of Walnut Lake Road
West Bloomfield
Your Hosts:
Barry Rogow and
Andy Stylianou
73