Dining Guide
*D (A weekly advertising feature)
AUBURN HILLS
Hakata, 32443 Northwestern Hwy.,
Lelli's of Auburn Hills, 885 Opdyke
Farmington Hills, (248) 737-7220.The ring
Road, Auburn Hills, (248) 373-4440. The
same excellent food that the Lelli family
has been noted for since 1939, is served
at this location across from the Silver-
dome. Reservations are accepted for any
day except Saturdays, and are strongly
suggested.
BERKLEY
Sila, 4033 W. I 2 Mile, Berkley,
(248) 548-3650.Two reasons why this has
consistently been a good neighborhood
family Italian restaurant and pizzeria are
brothers Mike and Al Bsharah.Watching the
store, so to speak, they make sure nothing
is served without their approval, including
square or round pizza, chicken, ribs, fish sal-
ads, pasta and other favorites like the chick-
en parmigaiana. Daily lunch and dinner spe-
cials are 7-days-a-week, and private banquet
space is available.
of authenticity is always present when
enjoying an interesting experience at this
well-received Japanese restaurant. The
menu and ambience of Hakata, with its
private rooms, slippers, sushi bar and
open dining room are gracious attributes
recipes of Esther Michaels, whose Sheik
restaurant was a downtown Detroit
Michigan. However, you wouldn't know it
standby for many years, are featured
directly from an open hearth. Esther's
have not been forgotten, and present an
interesting array of popular dining
attractions.
has vaulted this very popular fun empo-
rium into one of the fewest of its kind in
the nation, winning awards and appearing
ROYAL OAK
Chick-N-Ribs, I 18 S. Woodward,
in magazines and the Guiness Book of
Royal Oak, (248) 544-1211. Much has
World Records. Video games, pinball
been said about this dine in and carry-
made: cole slaw, potato salad, chicken
salad, egg salad and so much more. Star
prepares both fat-free and regular tuna
and cuts its lox by hand. It also cooks its
own corned beef and pastrami, and the
seven-day operation includes a major
specialty — beautiful tray catering.
WEST BLOOMFIELD
Big Daddy's Parthenon, 6199
Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield,
machines, antique games, unique posters,
out restaurant whose specialties of
broasted or bar-b-q chicken and bar-b-
(248) 737-8600. Evenings are still busy
ones seven nights a week at this minia-
is also a highly successful party favorite
q ribs have received much attention,
ture Greektown favoite. Popular Greek
and has 24 seats for lunch and snacks.
but as regular customers say, the proof
dishes feature Iamb chops, lemon chick-
is in the tasting. It's open seven days,
en, award-winning Tommy Salad and
Sun.-Thurs., 11-10, Fri. & Sat., II-1 I.
other popular items. Private banquet
facilities next door accommodate up to
(248) 855-9463. Standouts at this
popular cafe include traditional Jewish
300. Millie Scott and her group perform
dishes prepared by Shirlee Bloom in her
SOUTHFIELD
Empire Szechuan Garden, 29875
own separate kitchen.All her homemade
with "old-time deli favorites" including
Homemade sandwiches, salads and other
an award-winning chicken soup plus
good things to eat, including Vineyards'
corned beef and roasted turkeys for din-
famous rollups are enjoyed at booths
ing in or carry-out. "Steve Romanik
and tables.They are also available for
Brownies" and Carnegie Deli cheese-
carry-out. It is a seven-day-a-week
operation.
this 7-day-a-week operation.
Northwestern Hwy., Applegate Square,
Southfield, (248) 353-7890. Consistency
is evident at 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 every-
thing on the menu available also for
carry-out.The clean atmosphere and
LATHRUP
LaFendi, 27060 Evergreen, Lathrup
efficient service are pluses to go along
with the food.
Lelli's, 7618 Woodward Ave., Detroit,
Landing, Lathrup, (248) 559-9099.An ele-
Excalibur, 28875 Franklin Road, South-
(313) 871-1590.A Detroit dining tradi-
gant atmosphere, where all areas are a
field, (248) 358-3355.This is one of Met-
tion since 1939, Lelli's has been serving
different decor, make up this popular
ropolitan Detroit's more popular dining
Italian favorites to many generations. It
Middle Eastern restaurant. Many of the
and dancing spots, with live entertain-
is open daily, including Sundays (noon to
dishes are not found in too many dining
ment Tuesday through Saturday and a
8). Along with its large meals, Lelli's also
spots of its type. Fresh squeezed fruits
menu that ranges from regional to conti-
has its light side menu which has
and vegetables make up the raw juice
nental. Currently appearing is the Billy
enjoyed much popularity.
bar that people enjoy seven days a week
at all hours.
Rose Quartet, Tuesday through Thurs-
days, and The Warren Commission, with
Suzie Marsh, Friday and Saturday
evenings. Its banquet and convention
FARMINGTON HILLS
OAK PARK
ington Hills, (248) 474-3033.Owners Rina
Bread Basket Deli, 10 1/2 Mile and
Tonon and son Adrian's fine Italian
Greenfield, Lincoln Shopping Center,
torante proudly presents original family
Oak Park, (248) 968-0022.A favorite of
recipes amid a romantic ambiance. The
many people for breakfast, lunch, dinner
private garden room with adjacent patio
and after-theater, this has the aura of a
for appetizers and cocktails, is used for
modernistic delicatessen so apparent in
receptions, rehearsals, b'nai mitzvah, etc.
its colorful decor. A children's menu is
Dishes from the Veneto region of Italy
featured along with party trays.The
are prepared with choice elegance. It was
the only Michigan Italian restaurant to
Bread Basket Deli is open Tuesday
receive the 1997 DiRoNa award.
from the size. And everything is home-
etc., include an old-time photo booth. It
food is in cases for customers to see.
Cafe Cortina, 30715 W.Ten Mile, Farm-
largest carry-out deli operations in
(248) 626-5020. Owner Marvin Yagoda
Bloomfield Hills, (248) 932-0800.A "little
DETROIT
acclaimed as one of America's finest
famous Mideastern and Lebanese
many Mideastern and Lebanese favorites
Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical
Museum, 31005 Orchard Lake Road,
Star Deli, 24555 W. 12 Mile Rd., South-
field, (248) 352-7377. It has been
carry-out only delicatessens, and has the
open seven days a week, featuring all the
exciting dishes that come with authentic
Japanese dining.
bit of New York" in Bloomfield Hills,
cakes are among the favorite desserts in
Orchard Lake, (248) 865-0000.The
along with small pita breads served hot
Northwestern Hwy., Farmington Hills,
_ Steve's Deli, 6646 Telegraph Road,
The Sheik, 4189 Orchard Lake Road,
of this honorable food emporium. It is
Vineyard's Cafe & Catering, 32418
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
ORCHARD LAKE
through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
center behind the restaurant seats up to
400 people.
Gateway Deli, 21745 W. 11 Mile, Harvard
Row, Southfield, (248) 352-4940.Try the
veal marsala or veal parmesan at this popu-
lar 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
every Thursday and Friday in the restau-
rant.
Hoa Kow, 4301 Orchard Lake Road,
Crosswinds Mall, West Bloomfield,
(248) 932-3133. People from all walks of
life and most parts of Detroit and met-
ropolitan areas enjoy the many styles of
Chinese dining put out by Gene Woo.
Whitefish in all cooking varieties is a big
feature, with almost 1,000 pounds
served each week.This is together with
Cantonese, Szechuan and Mandarin dish-
es, plus a Chinese buffet at lunch and
dinner to go from its regular menu.
Mai Thai, 6635 Orchard Lake Road, Old
Orchard Shopping Center, West Bloom-
field, (248) 626-63 I 3.Those who like the
real thing will enjoy Mai Thai with its
very spicy or non-spicy foods concocted
for authentic and traditional tastes at
lunch or dinner. It presents a casual
atmosphere with seating for around
100. It is open seven days a week.
Stage & Co., 6873 Orchard Lake Road,
West Bloomfield, (248) 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 exis-
tence since 1962, Stage & Co. also fea-
tures items it never had originally, along
with homemade Jewish dishes and
dietary restricted delights to satisfy all
appetites.
Deli standouts.
12/4
1998
Detroit Jewish News
97