Dining Guide (A weekly advertising feature) AUBURN HILLS Lelli's ofAuburn Hills, 885 Opdyke Road, Auburn Hills, (248) 373-4440.The same excellent food that the Lelli family has been noted for since 1939, is served at this loca- tion across from the Silverdome. Reserva- tions are accepted for any day except Satur- days, and are strongly suggested. BERKLEY Sila, 4033 W. 12 Mile, Berkley, 548-3650.Two reasons why this has consistently been a Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Muse- um, 31005 Orchard Lake Road, 626-5020. is in the tasting. It's open seven days, Sun.,- major specialty—beautiful tray catering. SOUTHFIELD WEST BLOOMFIELD Empire Szechuan Garden, 29875 North- western Hwy.,Applegate Square, Southfield, Big Daddy's Parthenon, 6199 Orchard Owner Marvin Yagoda, with son Jeremy Yago- da, have vaulted this very popular fun empori- um into one of the fewest of its kind in the nation, winning awards and appearing in mag- azines and the Guiness Book of World Records.Video games, pinball machines, antique games, unique posters, etc., include an old-time photo booth. It is also a highly suc- cessful party favorite and has 24 seats for lunch snacks. 353-7890. Consistency has become a fine point for this Oriental restaurant serving Szechuan, Hunan and Chinese dishes. It has become a popular place to dine at both lunch and dinner times and is open seven- days-a-week, with everything on the menu good neighborhood family Italian restaurant Vineyard's Cafe & Catering, 32418 available also for carry-out. The clean atmos- and pizzeria is because of brothers Mike and Northwestern Hwy., Farmington Hills, (248) Al Bsharah.Watching the store, so to speak, 855-9463. Standouts at this popular cafe phere and efficient service are pluses to go along with the food. they make sure nothing is served without their approval, square or round pizza, chicken, include traditional Jewish dishes prepared by Shirlee Bloom in her own separate kithcne. ribs, fish salads, pasta and other favorites like All her homemade food is in cases for the chicken parmigaiana. Daily lunch and din- customers to see. Homemade sandwiches, ner sacials are 7-days-a-week, and private salads and other good things to eat, including banquet space is available. Vineyards' Famous rollups are enjoyed at booths and tables.They are also available for BLOOMFIELD HILLS carry-out. It is a seven-day-a-week operation. Steve's Deli, 6646 Telegraph Road, Bloom- LATHRUP field Hills, (248) 932-0800.A "little bit of New York" in Bloomfield Hills, and "old-time deli LaFendi, 27060 Evergreen, Lathrup Landing, favorites" are with award-winning chicken Lathrup, 559-9099.An elegant atmosphere, soup plus corned beef and roasted turkeys where all areas are a different decor, make up for dining in or carry-outAlso "Steve this popular Middle Eastern restaurant. Many Rornanik Brownies" and Carnegie of the dishes are not found in too many din- Delicheesecakes are among favorite desserts in this 7-day-a-week operation. ing spots of its type. Fresh squeezed fruits and vegetables make up the raw juice bar DETROIT which people enjoy seven days a week at all hours. Lelli's, 7618 Woodward Ave., Detroit, (313) OAK PARK 871-1590.A Detroit dining tradition since 1939, Lelli's has been serving Italian favorites Bread Basket Deli, 10 1/2 Mile and Green- Excalibur, 28875 Franklin Road, Southfield, (248) 358-3355.This is one of Metropolitan Detroit's more popular dining and dancing spots, with live entertainment Tuesday through Saturday and a menu that ranges from regional to continental. Currently appearing is the Billy Rose Quartet,Tuesday through Thursdays, and The Warren Commis- sion, with Suzie Marsh, Friday and Saturday Gateway Deli, 21745 W. 11 Mile, Harvard Row, Southfield, 352-4940.Try the veal marsala or veal parmesan at this popular delicatessen-restaurant whose gourmet dishes are brought from owner Peter Ber- shaj's former Larco's days.They are com- bined with familiar traditional homemade Jewish dishes. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, party trays and outside catering are Gateway Deli standouts. McVee's Sports Bar & Grill, 23380 Tele- graph Road, Southfield, 352-8243.This is its large meals, Lelli's also has its light side lunch, dinner and after-theater, this has the more than just another sports bar and grill menu which has enjoyed much popularity. aura of a modernistic delicatessen so appar- restaurant. Veteran restaurateur Herman ent with colorful decor.A children's menu is Yagoda features charbroiled steaks, fresh FARMINGTON HILLS featured along with party trays. The Bread seafood, large burgers, baby-back ribs and Cafe Cortina, 30715 W.Ten Mile, Farming- Basket Deli is open Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Also home-made soups are daily specials at Iamb chops that he defies others to beat. both lunch and dinner with moderate prices in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. tic ambiance.The private garden room with The Sheik, 4189 Orchard Lake Road, adjacent patio for appetizers and cocktails, is Orchard Lake, 865-0000.The famous Mideast- Seros, 2922 I Northwestern, Southfield, 358- 2353.The specialty is Greek-American with used for receptions, rehearsals, b'nai mitzvah, ern and Lebanese recipes of Esther Michaels, emphasis on family dining. It is a seven-day-a- etc. Dishes from the Veneto region of Italy are whose Sheik restaurant was a downtown week operation with daily specials for lunch prepared with choice elegance. It was the Detroit standby for many years, are featured and dinner.The neighborhood atmosphere is only Michigan Italian restaurant to receive the 1997 DiRoNa award. along with small pita breads served hot condusive to comfortable dining.This com- directly from an open hearth. Esther's many bined with low prices have made Seros a popular restaurant. Hakata, 32443 Northwestern Hwy., Farming- Mideastern and Lebanese favorites have not been forgotten, and present an interesting ton Hills, 737-7220.The ring of authenticy is always present when enjoying an interesting array of popular dining attractions. experience at this well-received Japanese ROYAL OAK restaurantThe menu and ambience of Hakata, with its private rooms, slippers, sushi bar and open dining room are gracious attributes of this honorable food emporium. It is open seven days a week, featuring all the exciting dishes that come with authentic Japanese dining. Chick-N-Ribs, 118 S.Woodward, Royal Oak, 544-1211. Much has been said about this dine in and carry-out restaurant whose specialities of broasted or bar-b-q chicken and bar-b-q ribs have received much atten- tion, but as regular customers say, the proof lemon chicken, award-winning Tommy Salad and other popular items. Private Banquet facilities next door accommodate up to 300. Millie Scott and her group are every Thursday and Friday in the restaurant. Ernest Larco, 6303 Orchard Lake Road, Orchard Mall,West Bloomfield, (248) 737- 6688.Authentic Italian dining with traditional favorites are featured at this 140-seat restau- rant open 7 days a week for dinner only. Mon.-Sat. from 4 and Sunday from 3. Live entertainment Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. REstaurant is also available for pri- vate functions. Hoa Kow, 4301 Orchard Lake Road, Cross- 0022.A favorite of many people for breakfast, ORCHARD LAKE Popular Greek dishes feature Iamb chops, winds Mall,West Bloomfield, 932-3133. Peo- field, Lincoln Shopping Center, Oak Park, 968- presents original family recipes amid a roman- week at this miniature Greektown favoite. behind the restaurant seats up to 400 people. to many generations. It is open seven days-a- and son Adrian's fine Italian ristorante proudly Lake Road,West Bloomfield, (248) 737-8600. Evenings are still busy ones seven nights a evenings. Its banquet and convention center week, including Sundays (12 to 8).Along with ton Hills, (248) 474-3033.Owners Rina Tonon pastrami, and the 7-day operation includes a Thurs. I I - 10, Fri. & Sat. 11- I I. Star Deli, 24555 W 12 Mile Rd., Southfield, ple from all walks of life and most parts of Detroit and metropolitan 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 Can- tonese, Szechuan and Mandarin dishes, plus a Chinese Buffet at lunch and dinner to go with its regular menu. Mai Thai, 6635 Orchard Lake Road, Old Orchard Shopping Center,West Bloomfield, 626-63I3.Those who like the real thing will enjoy Mai Thai with its very spicy or non- spicy foods concocted for authentic and tra- ditional tastes at lunch or dinner. It presents a casual atmosphere with seating around 100 and is open seven days a week. Stage & Co., 6873 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield, 855-6622.The dominant consistency of this highly-acclaimed 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 fea- tures items it has never had before, along with homemade Jewish dishes and dietary restricted delights to satisfy all appetites. WINDSOR 352-7377. It has been acclaimed as one of Blue Danube, 1235 Ottawa Street, Windsor, Ontario, 5 I 9-252-0246. Specialties with old America's finest carry-out only delicatessens, world authenticity are prepared at this - and has the largest carry-out deli operations charming family operation serving Hungarian, in Michigan. However, you wouldn't know it European and Continental cuisine for over 20 from the size.And everything is homemade: years. Gypsy musicians direct from Budapest cole slaw, potato salad, chicken salad, egg stroll and serenade patrons at tables Friday salad and so much more. Star prepares both and Saturday evenings. Owners Zora and fat-free and regular tuna and cuts its lox by hand. It also cooks its own corned beef and Sam Popadic serve lunch and dinner six-days a week. Closed Mondays. 9/25 1998 Detroit Jewish News 99