Dining Guide (A weekly advertising feature) AUBURN HILLS LeIli's of Auburn 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 location across from the Silverdome. Reser- vations are accepted for any day except Saturday, and are strongly suggested. 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 of this food emporium. It is open seven days a week, featuring all the Mideastern and Lebanese recipes of Esther Michaels, whose Sheik restaurant was a downtown Detroit standby for many years, are featured along with small pita breads served hot directly from an open hearth. Esther's many Mideastern and Lebanese sent an interesting array of popular dining Japanese dining. attractions. Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Muse- BERKLEY Sila, 4033 W. 12 Mile Road, Berkley, (248) 548-3650.Two reasons why this has 5020. Owner Marvin Yagoda has vaulted 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 spe- cialty — beautiful tray catering. favorites have not been forgotten, and pre- exciting dishes that come with authentic um, 31005 Orchard Lake Road, (248) 626- chicken salad, egg salad and so much more. WEST BLOOMFIELD Bagel Deli, 6088 West Maple, West ROYAL OAK Bloomfield, (248) 851-9666. Rose Guttman, former owner of Irving's Deli- this very popular fun emporium into one of the fewest of its kind in the nation, win- Chick-N-Ribs, 118 S.Woodward, Royal Oak, (248) 544- 1211. Much has been said catessen, noted many years for her home-cooking goodness, is featured with consistently been a good neighborhood ning awards and appearing in magazines about this dine in and carry-out restaurant traditional Jewish foods for carry-out and family Italian restaurant and pizzeria are and the Guiness Book of World Records. eating in. Party trays have also made brothers Mike and Al Bsharah.Watching Video games, pinball machines, antique whose specialties of broasted or bar-b-q chicken and bar-b-q ribs have received much the store, so to speak, they make sure games, unique posters, etc., include an old- attention, but as regular customers say, the Bagel Deli a big favorite, along with its smoked fish and hand-cut belly lox. It is nothing is served without their approval, time photo booth. It is also a highly suc- proof is in the tasting. It's open seven days, open seven days a week. including square or round pizza, chicken, cessful party favorite and has 24 seats for Sun.-Thurs. I 1-10, Fri. & Sat. 1 I - I I. ribs, fish salads, pasta and other favorites lunch and snacks. Big Daddy's Parthenon, 6199 Orchard Vineyard's Cafe & Catering, 32418 8600. Evenings are still busy ones seven like the chicken parmigaiana. Daily lunch and dinner specials and private banquet space are available. Northwestern Hwy., Farmington Hills, (248) SOUTHFIELD 855-9463. Standouts at this popular cafe Empire Szechuan Garden, 29875 nights a week at this miniature Greek- town favoite. Popular Greek dishes fea- Northwestern Hwy., Applegate Square, ture lamb chops, lemon chicken, award- Southfield, (248) 353-7890. Consistency has winning Tommy Salad and other popular become a fine point for this Oriental items. Private Banquet facilities next restaurant serving Szechuan, Hunan and door accommodate up to 300. Millie Chinese dishes. It has become a popular Scott and her group perform every Thursday and Friday in the restaurant. include traditional Jewish dishes prepared BLOOMFIELD HILLS Steve's Deli, 6646 Telegraph Road, Bloom- field Hills, (248) 932-0800.A "little bit of NewYork" in Bloomfield Hills, with "old- time deli favorites" including an award-win- ning chicken soup plus corned beef and roasted turkey for dining in or carry-out by Shirlee Bloom in her own separate kitchen.All her homemade food is in cases for customers to see. Homemade sandwiches, salads and other good things to eat, including Vineyards' Famous rollups are enjoyed at booths and tables.They are also available for carry-out. It is a seven- day-a-week operation. Deli cheesecakes are among the favorite DETROIT Lelli's, 7618 Woodward Ave., Detroit, (313) 871-1590.A Detroit dining tradition since 1939, Lelli's has been serving Italian favorites to many generations. It is open daily, includ- ing Sundays (noon-to 8).Along With its large meals, Lelli's also has its light side menu ton Hills, (248) 474-3033.Owners Rina Tonon and son Adrian's fine Italian ris- torante proudly presents original family clean atmosphere and efficient service are Hoa Kow, 430 Orchard Lake Road, Crosswinds Mall,West Bloomfield, (248) 932-3133. People from all walks of life and most parts of Detroit and metro- politan areas enjoy the many styles of Chinese dining put out by Gene Woo. LaFendi, 27060 Evergreen, Lathrup Land- Detroit's more popular dining and dancing Whitefish in all cooking varieties is a big ing, Lathrup, (248) 559-9099.An elegant atmosphere, where all areas are a different spots, with live entertainment Tuesday through Saturday and a menu that ranges feature, with almost 1,000 pounds served decor, make up this popular Middle Eastern from regional to continental. Currently each week.This is together with Can- tonese, Szechuan and Mandarin dishes, restaurant. Many of the dishes are not found in too many dining spots of its type. appearing is the Billy Rose Quartet,Tuesday plus a Chinese buffet at lunch and dinner through Thursdays, and The Warren Com- to go from its regular menu. Fresh squeezed fruits and vegetables make mission, with Suzie Marsh, Friday and Satur- up the raw juice bar that people enjoy day evenings. Its banquet and convention seven days a week at all hours. center behind the restaurant seats up to 400 people. Bread Basket Deli, 10 1/2 Mile and Greenfield, Lincoln Shopping Center, Oak Park, (248) 968-0022.A favorite of many people for breakfast, lunch, dinner and after-theater, this has the aura of a mod- Mai Thai, 6635 Orchard Lake Road, Old Orchard Shopping Center, West Bloom- field, (248) 626-63I3.Those who like the real thing will enjoy Mai Thai with its Gateway Deli, 21745 W. II Mile, Harvard very spicy or non-spicy foods concocted Row, Southfield, (248) 352-4940.Try the veal marsala or veal parmesan at this popu- for authentic and traditional tastes at lar delicatessen-restaurant whose gourmet lunch or dinner. It presents a casual atmosphere with seating for around 100 dishes are brought from owner Peter Ber- and is open seven days a week. shaj's former Larco's days.They are com- bined with familiar traditional homemade Stage & Co., 6873 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield, (248) 855-6622. The ernistic delicatessen so apparent with col- orful decor. A children's menu is featured Jewish dishes. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, party along with party trays.The Bread Basket Deli standouts. Deli is open Tuesday through Sunday 10 Star Deli, 24555 W. 12 Mile Road, South- field, (248) 352-7377. It has been acclaimed But it is also proof that you can teach an old dog new tricks. Although in existence pared with choice elegance. It was the only as one of America's finest carry-out only Michigan Italian restaurant to receive the delicatessens, and has the largest carry-out deli operations in Michigan. However, you since 1962, Stage & Co. also features items it has never had before, along with recipes amid a romantic ambiance.The pri- vate garden room with adjacent patio for appetizers and cocktails, is used for recep- tions, rehearsals, b'nai mitzvah, etc. Dishes from the Veneto region of Italy are pre- a.m. to I 0 p.m. 1997 DiRoNa award. • ORCHARD LAKE Hakata, 32443 Northwestern Hwy., Farm- The Sheik, 4189 Orchard Lake Road, ington Hills, (248) 737-7220.The ring of 12/18 1998 the menu available also for carry-out.The LATHRUP OAK PARK Cafe Cortina, 30715 W. 10 Mile, Farming- times and is open daily, with everything on Excalibur, 28875 Franklin Road, Southfield, (248) 358-3355.This is one of Metropolitan which has enjoyed much popularity. FARMINGTON HILLS place to dine at both lunch and dinner pluses to go along with the food. "Steve Romanik Brownies" and Carnegie desserts in this seven-day-a-week operation. Lake Road,West Bloomfield, (248) 737- Orchard Lake, (248) 865-0000.The famous trays and outside catering are Gateway wouldn't know it from the size.And every- thing is homemade: tole slaw, potato salad, dominant consistency of this highly- acclaimed critic's choice restaurant is in its menu selection and food preparation. homemade Jewish dishes and dietary restricted delights to satisfy all appetites.