.41111111111111111.1. nment Michigan's finest upscale, yet casual American bistro The Best Of Everything Savor the taste that is the talk of the town An Italian institution has a golden legacy. "Sue:cm-cut owners are doing the right thing at Oakland Grill." — The levi$11 News N "Oakland Grill gets wows for class act." — Observer & Eccentric “Oaklan4-GrilFs food and service . —'Detroit Tee Ptes , "Our meal at Oakland Grill was exceptional and it left us talking about our food all weekend long." — Oakland Press DECK NOW OPEN! _1 r _ • 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. . Early Bird Special! TUES., WED., THURS. & SUN. 50' Off Buy One Entree At Regular Price Get Second Entree Equal or Lesser Value HALF THE PRICE • Dine In Only • With Coupon • One Coupon Per Couple • Not Valid With Other Offers L Expires 8/31/98 JN SERVING LUNCH & DINNER TUESDAY - SUNDAY 32832 Woodward ► Royal Oak (Just south of 14 Mile Rd.) 7/31 1998 (248) 549-7700 92 Detroit Jewish News o, too many restaurants in existence today will cele- brate their 50th anniver- sary. This is why such an occurrence ,is regarded with much honor and respect. And when it happens to be one of Detroit's better and more renowned restaurants, then the occasion has an added impetus because of the many people it has satisfied throughout the years. Since opening in 1948, Mario's Italian restaurant on Second Avenue, between Willis and Canfield, has sold enough pasta that if laid end to end it would circle the world twice. The 5 million meals it has served takes in much more than pasta, so try- ing to imagine how far this would go is beyond comprehension. Years back, when owned by Mario Lelli, the legend went that if it was Ital- ian, Mario's had it, and if it was some- thing not on the menu, Mario would send out for it ... However, it would have been foolish to order anything but Italian at Mario's since there were few that could rank in comparison. Mario's is a landmark ... And com- fortable in a style that can't be matched anymore ... with plenty of room to move around in your chair and light enough to read the ample menu. It is owned today by Vince Pas- salacqua, who has continued. the fine tradition of Mario Lelli since he pur- chased Mario's in 1980 ... For many years, Mario was a partner with cousins at Lelli's Inn on Woodward ... Profits from the sale of his interest in Lelli's enabled him to open Mario's. Mario still comes to the restaurant he used to own ... It is one of his favorites ... And to keep in condition, he continues to swim daily in the Oak Park swimming pool. • Throughout the years, celebrities from the worlds of show business, pol- itics and sports have made Mario's their home for Italian dining ... And many local customers ... first, second and third generations ... have num- bered it among their favorites. Mario Lelli established the restau- rant in 1948, and was not one to sit still ... expanding in the 1950s and Italian veal favorites ... not ones that again in the 1960s ... Vince has fol- stay around a short while and are lowed in his footsteps with continuous taken off the menu for lack of reques physical upgrades. Others like Veal Olympic or Veal The beautiful English tudor outer piccante (which can also be gotten structure is a masterpiece in looks and with regular service) are pre- a recognizable sight for many. pared tableside along with Inside, the original main three styles of flamed dining room seating 150 is medallions of prime rib ten- almost an exact replica of the derloin, steak Diane and former Sardis in New York ... flambe'd desserts. In 1988, it was joined with 'Mario Lelli's little 3,000- another dining sector seating square-foot restaurant is 175 more ... In all Mario's now a 12,000-square-foot now has four dining rooms, dining facility. including the Mural Room, its He had no computer or smallest private dining area for D ANNY method of tracking records the intimacy and privacy small RA SKIN throughout the years, so the groups desire. Local Columnist amounts of food served in So many items are home- 50 years can only be made at Mario's ... The white approximate figures. clam sauce is among the finest any- But it is safe to say that Mario's has where ... All Mario's sauces, except served more than 500,000 pounds of those with meat, are made to order. veal, 4 million shrimp, and a million - The minestrone soup is still among gallons of wine ... More than 9 mil- the better ones ... Full bodied, with lion tomatoes used is a safe estimate. carrots, potatoes, noodle pieces, etc. ... There is live entertainment and It is one of eight soups from which a ballroom dancing every Friday and customer may select. Saturday evening from 8 p.m. ... Pasta noodles are still made on the Lunch is served Monday through Fri- premises for most of Mario's dishes ... day, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. ... Dinner is Tortellini, cappelletti, lasagna, fet- Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 11 tucine, ravioli, tagliatelle, etc. p.m.; Saturdays, 4 p.m. to midnight; Excellent Provimi veal is prepared Sundays, 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. in 15 or more ways for elegant dining Shuttles run continuously to all ... Every one has been a best-liked major entertainment events. Vince, - dish for years. his executive chef Eric Alderton, and These are tried-and-true traditional 1/4 Vince Passalacqua has kept Mario's tradition.