Michigan's finest upscale,
yet casual American bistro
Savor the taste that is the
talk of the town

The Best Of Everything

A Greek navy engineer hits the islands.

"Oakland Grill gets wows for
class act." — Observer & Eccentric

"Our meal at Oakland Grill was
exceptional and it left us talking
about our food all weekend long."
— Oakland Press

Tuesday through Thursday evenings and
complimenfary fray-passed Sushi in the
lounge every hursday evening

Hours:

Mon-Wed

11:30 a.m. - 12:00 midnight

Thur-Fri
11:30 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.

Sat.

5:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.

Please join us for happy hour,
Monday thru Friday, 4-7 p.m.

Domestic beers

$2.00

Imported beers

• $2.50

Well drinks

$3.00

Available for private
engagements Saturday
afternoons and
Sundays.

32832 Woodward Royal Oak

Oust South of 14 Mile Rd.)

(248) 549-7700

bright look.
for family and friends, so it was natur-
e spent 15 years as a
Everything is new ... The former
al that he would eventually end up in
mechanical engineer, or
Classic
Coney Island was gutted from
the field of Greek restaurateuring.
whatever word the Greeks
wall to wall ... and the new restau-
George opened his first Greek
had for it, aboard a sub-
rant's styling is conducive to a warm,
Islands on April 17, 1991, in Dear-
marine in the Greek navy ... plus five
homey atmosphere.
born ... followed by Birming-
years at a naval academy and six
A children's menu has six
ham, Livonia and Southfield ...
months at a submarine school.
choices for the young lads
Always with the same target of
If anyone had told George Ste-
and lassies.
a clean and bright Coney
fanakis that he would one day own a
The items George pre-
Island in an enjoyable atmos-
restaurant ... and in America ... he'd
sents at his Greek Islands
phere
that
would
be
more
than
have had the belly laugh of his life ...
restaurants are authentic
this type of operation ...
Even though it was a secret dream of
Greek recipes given to him
George's dream was for a
his.
in Crete ... the traditional
Greek family restaurant that
And a chain of four, no less, with
ways of preparation by his
would incorporate important
his signature on the dotted line for
father, Stefan.
words for him ... cleanliness,
DANNY
number five that could be the largest
They include exotic com-
good quality food and good
RASKIN
plum (or fig) of them all?
binations
of Greek dishes
service.
George's Greek Islands Coney
Local Columnist that take in many favorites
The recently opened South-
Restaurant that opened number four
folks have known for so
field locale is where George
on Nov. 10, 1997, where the former
long.
now spends much of his 15-hour
Classic Kosher Coney Island used to
His chicken items go over big ...
days, doing everything from waiting
dwell in New Orleans Mall, Green-
breast, salads, kebobs, marinated and
on tables, busing tables, cooking,
field and 10 Mile, has been singled
gyros ... with about 2,500 pounds a
washing dishes, etc.
out by Southfield Star Entertainment
week
served in George's four loca-
Wife Terry teaches sociology at
Centre as the Greek restaurant it
tions.
Wayne State University, where she
wants in the glamorous 20-theater
The menu is also heavy on vegetar-
received her master's degree ... and
movie emporium on 12 Mile.
ian choices and pita selections ... vege-
works with George doing what is nec-
His signed lease at Star
tarian stir fry, vegetarian moussaka,
calls for 3,800 square feet
vegetarian pita with tomatoes, onions,
with seating for about 180
lettuce, feta and gyro sauce; vegetarian
... selected by Star because
burger.
of atmosphere, food and
Greek Islands roasts its garlic from
menu for everyone at rea-
the fresh variety, makes its own yogurt
sonable prices and fast ser-
daily, soups, sauces and desserts
vice.
(creme caramel flan, baklava and a
This is a success story
very good rice pudding) ... For break-
that began in 1982 when
fast it boils and peels its own potatoes
George came to the United
for the hash browns it serves.
States ... He always did love
Spinach rice, a very popular item
to cook, but it was con-
not on the menu and seldom seen in
struction, not the restaurant
Greek restaurants, is most tasty and
business, in which he earned
great for vegetarians among others.
his living for nine years.
The Coney Islands go over big of
George had GS Con-
course, and if folks want the all-beef
struction in Farmington
variety, they simply tell the waitper-
Hills until a pinched nerve
son.
Greek Islands' Terry and George Stefanakis.
restrained him from using
One of the biggest assets at all
tools ... and a doctor told
Greek Islands locations, except Dear-
him he should forget construction and
born, is its fruit and vegetable juice
essary in front.
go into another line of work.
bar ... A machine makes drinks from
Seating on Greenfield and 10 Mile
That pinched nerve proved to be
oranges, apples, grapefruits, parsley,
is for 110, with seven counter stools, a
the break George needed ... The one
celery, carrots, etc.
closed kitchen, dining areas separated
that would catapult him into the
The fresh fruits and vegetables are
by a long settee set below etched glass
chain of Greek restaurants with such a
kept in a cooler instead of in the
with Grecian figures ... In summer, it
continual growth.
restaurant proper ... This, George says,
also will have an outdoor patio.
He couldn't cook in the Greek navy
retains freshness ... Combinations are
Tile is above the kitchen opening,
... Being an officer, it wouldn't look
choice selections, with many folks
mirrors are on the walls and square,
right, so others cooked for him ... But
making their own combos.
recessed ceiling lights make for a
George has always enjoyed cooking

E

1,±\

c--