Dining Guide

one who decided to take his skills to a
professional level. He graduated from the
Juilliard School with a master's degree in
music and was named as a 'Young Artist
to Watch" by Musical America. His
instrument is a 1732 Stradivarius.
"When I was 13, 14 and 15, I
entered local competitions and won,"
Steven Honigberg explains. It was a
strong foundation for pursuing his
concert career. Chosen for the
National Symphony at age 21, the cel 7
list launched the Holocaust Museum's
chamber music series five years ago.
We do five concerts each season, and
I'm always moved by the experience,"
says the cellist, who plans the programs
and finds the musicians. "I meet the sur-
vivors who come to the concerts, and
I've met some of their children.
Detroit audiences who have not
heard the Honigbergs in person may
have heard him on television with the
National Symphony. He performs for
the Independence Day pops concerts
broadcast on public television.
"I'm sort of a man of many hats,
and I like the diversity," says Steven
Honigberg, whose career has taken
him to prestigious concerts from
Carnegie Hall to the White House
and whose recordings include 20th-
century American cello works.
"A great thrill is to work with con-
temporary composers and have them
write cello pieces for me — such as
Lukas Foss' Anne Frank, Robert
Starer's Song of Solitude and David
Diamond's Concert Piece. And I've had
fun playing while President Clinton
conducted an encore."
Honigberg and his wife, Jessica, a
pianist who studied at Yale, have two
daughters not yet in school. The girls
are among the eight grandchildren, all
under age 5, of Carol and Joel
Honigberg, a composer and oboist
who opted for a business career.
"I'm so glad that all my children are
finding music appreciation programs for
their children," says Carol Honigberg,
whose recordings include 20th-century
piano works in Across 3 Continents and
selections from Holocaust museum pro-
grams in Darkness and Light. "I can't see
life without music." E

AUBURN HILLS

Lelli's ofAuburn Hills, 885 Opdyke Road,

Auburn Hills, (248) 373-4440.The second of Lelli's
traditionally fine Italian ristorantes is located across
from the Silverdome. Besides elegant surrounds, it
features the same excellent food served by the
Lelli family since 1939. Reservations are accepted
for any day except Saturday.

BERKLEY

Sila, 4033 W. 12 Mile, Berkley, (248) 548-3650.
This is one of those dependable neighborhood
standbys people enjoy having around.The Italian
and American menu is what you would expect
from a family operation which has gathered much
confidence with its consistency in food prepara-
don. Chicken, ribs, round and square pizza, fish,
salads, pasta, chicken parmesan and other
favorites, are served seven days for lunch and din-
ner. A private banquet area is also available.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS

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Carol Honigberg and Steven
Honigberg will perform 4 p.m.
Sunday, April 11, at the Jimmy
Prentis Morris Building of the
Jewish Community Center of
Metropolitan Detroit in Oak
Park. $10 members/$15 non-
members. (248) 967-4030.

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Steve's Deli, 6646 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield

Hills, (248) 932-0800. Deli favorites are featured
fncluding an award-winning chicken soup. Corned
beef and roasted turkeys are available for dining
in or carry-out in the New York style restaurant
operation open seven days a week. Desserts
include Steve Romanik Brownies and Carnegie
Deli-type cheesecakes.

DETROIT

Lelli's of Detroit, 7618 Woodward Ave., Detroit,

(313) 871-1590. Many generations have been
served at this Italian dining tradition, which has
been in operation since 1939. Traditional Italian
favorites are served daily, including Sundays (noon
to 8).The diversified menu of traditional dishes is
accompanied by a light menu for those watching
their food intake.

FARMINGTON HILLS

Cafe Cortina, 30715 VV.Ten Mile Rd., Farm-

ington Hills, (248) 474-3033.The romantic set-
ting and elegant homemade food have made this
one of the metropolitan Detroit region's most
wanted Italian ristorante. Family recipes are gra-
ciously presented by the staff of owner Rina
Tonon and general manager, son Adrian. Its pri-
vate Garden Room, with adjacent patio for
appetizers and hors d'oeuvres, is used for pri-
vate events. Cafe Cortina is a recipient of the
coveted DiRoNa award for its "excellence in
distinguished dining" with dishes from Italy's
Veneto region.

Hakata, 32443 Northwestern Hwy., Farming-

ton Hills, (248) 737-7220.The interesting expe-
rience received when enjoying Japanese food is
coupled with flavorful delight This is always
apparent when authenticity reveals much
knowledge in such ethnic dining. Hakata's sushi
bar, private dining Tatimi rooms and open dining
rooms are gracious attributes seven days a
week. Exotic cocktails, Japanese wines and
beers are also featured.

Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum,

31005 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills,
(248) 626-5020.There's fun everywhere at this
popular center, one of the fewest of its kind in
the nation. So many video games, antiques, nos-
talgic posters and award-winning world of
entertainment attractions with boating, skiing,
etc., games. It has been featured numerously in
magazine articles and Guiness Book of
Records. Lunch and snacks are available and

birthday parties for young and adult have made
it popular on must lists.

its outside catering events highlighted by the
same elegant cuisine served in the restaurant.

Vineyards Cafe & Catering, 32415 North-
western Hwy., Farmington Hills, (248) 855-9463.
Now that owner Ron Asmar has added Nibbles
and Nuts at the Vineyards to his stable, he makes
his setup an even more diversified operation.Tra-
ditional Jewish dishes prepared by Shirlee Bloom
in her own separate kitchen, homemade sand-
wiches (rollups and others,) salads and a host of
wanted food are enjoyed at booths and tables.
Everything is available for carry-out and tray
catering. Outside catering by Shirlee Bloom is
popular for events in homes, offices and halls.

Star Deli, 24555 W. 12 Mile Road., Southfield,

LATHRUP VILLAGE

La Fendi, 27060 Evergreen, Lathrup Landing,

Lathrup Village, (248) 559 9099. Numerous
dishes of this popular Middle-Eastern restau-
rant are not found in many dining spots of its
type.The diversified menu also includes all tra-
ditional items as per Old World recipes.The
various exotic cocktails made at the juice bar
from fruits and vegetables are available seven
days a week.

OAK PARK

Bread Basket Deli, I0 1/2 Mile and Green-
field, Lincoln Shopping Center, Oak Park, (248)
968-0022.The bread is double-baked and sand-
wiches are so thick that many people eat half in
the restaurant and have the other to take
home with them. It is a favorite for breakfast,
lunch, dinner and after-theater, with a children's
menu featured along with party trays. It is open
Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

ORCHARD LAKE

The Sheik, 4189 Orchard Lake Road, Orchard

Lake, (248) 865-0000.The interesting array of
Mideastern and Lebanese dining attractions are
featured along with small individual pita breads
that are served directly from an open hearth.
Many of the standbys are together with recipes
that include favorites not gotten everywhere.
Off-premise catering is available along with the
dine-in specialties.

SOUTHFIELD

Excalibur, 28875 Franklin Road, Southfield,

(248) 358-3355.With its menu ranging from
regional to continental, and including bar-b-q ribs
made famous by the late Frank Sinatra when he
appeared in the Detroit area, fine dining takes
on added dimensions at this northwest favorite.
Billy Rose Quartet appears for dancing Tuesdays
through Thursdays; and the Warren Commission
with Suzie Marsh is Friday and Saturday
evenings.The Excalibur Banquet & Convention
behind the restaurant, seats up to 400 people.

Gateway Deli, 21745 W. 11 Mile Road, Harvard

Row, Southfield, (248) 352-4940. Gourmet dish-
es are featured at this specialized delicatessen-
restaurant owned by Peter Bershaj, formerly of
Larco's.Veal marsala and veal parmesan are
among the Italian favorites that are combined
with familiar traditional homemade Jewish food
Mondays through Saturdays. Breakfast, lunch, din-
ner, party trays, outside catering.

Ristorante Di Modesta, 19400 Northwest-
ern Highway, Southfield, (248) 358-0344.This
fine dining stalwart, located in the Market
Street Shoppes, is noted for its varied Italian
menu that features many traditional favorites
and a choice wine list. It is also acclaimed for

(248) 352-7377. It's a small place. Not much
room to move around when crowded. But it is
the largest carry-out only delicatessen in Michi-
gan in terms of volume, and acclaimed one of
the country's finest of its type operations. Star
makes almost everything itself, even cooking the
huge amounts of corned beef sold. Homemade
potato salad, cole slaw, egg salad, fat-free and
regular tuna salad and much more.The lox is cut
by hand. Beautiful trays are a prime specialty.

WEST BLOOMFIELD

Bagel Deli, 6088 West Maple, West Bloomfield,

(248) 851-9666. Rose Guttman, former owner of
Irving's Delicatessen, noted many years for dining
goodness, is featured with her home-cooking of
traditional Jewish foods for carry-out and eating
in. Party trays have also made Bagel Deli a big
favorite, along with its smoked fish and handcut
belly lox. It is open seven days a week.

Big Daddy's Parthenon, 6199 Orchard Lake

Road.,West Bloomfield, (248) 737-8600. Popular
Greek dishes feature traditional favorites plus the
award-winning Tommy's New Idea Salad, succu-
lent lamb chops, lemon chicken and other popu-
lar specialties. Live entertainment is Thursday and
Friday evenings. Banquet facilities next door with
accommodations up to 300 for all events. Show
people and notables from the world of sports
have made this a dining and meeting mecca.

Hoa Kow, 4301 Orchard Lake Road, Cross-
winds Mall,West Bloomfield, (248) 932-2133.
This is a chinese restaurant that features Can-
tonese, Szechuan and Mandarin dishes. Howev-
er, the large amount of whitefish sold is amaz-
ing. Owner Gene Woo and his Hong Kong
chefs prepare whitefish 15 different ways, with
almost 1,000 pounds served every week. An
astounding figure.Also popular is its chinese
buffet at lunch and dinner along with ordering
from the regular menu.

Mai Tai, 6635 Orchard Lake Road., Old Orchard
Shopping Center, West Bloomfield, (248) 626-
63I3.The Thai dishes served are authentic with a
number of them originating at this restaurant
Traditional taste buds will enjoy the variety of
preparations from very spicy to spicy to medium
to mild at both lunch and dinner. A casual and
pleasant restaurant open seven days.

Shangri-La, 6407 Orchard Lake Road.,
Orchard Mall,West Bloomfield, (248) 626-8585.
Traditional favorites are together with creative
dishes prepared for aficionados of gourmet
Oriental dining. Hong Kong style of cooking is
authentic in their preparation, and served seven
days a week.This is one of the few places that
specialize in Dim Sum at lunch time, with a
tasty variety from which to choose.

Stage & Co., 6873 Orchard Lake Road.,West

Bloomfield, (248) 855-6622.This is the same popu-
lar delicatessen that began in 1962, featuring
homemade Jewish dishes. But many of the features
are items not seen on the menu at its former
locale years back in Oak Park. Complete meals at
lunch or dinner,Tuesday through Sunday, along
with a service bar and separate carry-out depart-
ment are together with a large newly-styled dining
room filled with pictures of movie stars.

The Dining Guide is a weekly advertising feature.

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4/9
1999