The Best Of Everything

ITALIA

40

•
•

BringsYou Its
Great 2000
Parade of Stars

itaate4

4074e:,

44e0 ecedeaem

•
•

'74

..,,,doste,09.

e

•

iiaceectota

E.

111
10

•
aki

4

Thurs., Fri. & Sat.
January 20, 21 & 22

• THE TEMPTATIONS

Wed., Thurs. & Fri.
February 23 1 24 & 25
THE GOLDEN BOYS
FRANKIE AVALON,
Aff FABIAN &
Y BOBBY RYDELL

ITALIA

7096 East Fourteen Mile Road.

1/14

2000

94

ip

(Just west of Van Dyke in . Warren)

(810) 268-3200

Near-By Treasure

The food makes the place at Hotise of India.

Indian spices ($6.95) ... The paneer
sagwala, homemade cheese cubes and
peas cooked in a herbal sauce ($6.95)
is a big choice ... as is the vegetable
eople who search for trea- .
jalfrazie, cauliflower, eggplant, pota-
sure in their back yard sel-
toes and peas stir-fried with mildly
dom find it ... Most of
spiced onions and tomatoes ($6.95).
those who do come across it
A couple of house specialties at
by accident.
House of India, chicken and
This is what is happening
shrimp shashliks on sizzler
to, among others, a north
trays, are both $7.95 and
Indian restaurant on the west
servedin a sauce accompa-
side of Orchard Lake Road,
nied by rice, vegetables and
between 12 and 13 Mile, in
lentil soup.
Farmington Hills.
The entrees at House of
It doesn't look like much
India
come as asked for ...
from the outside ... and is
mild,
medium or hot ... If
hardly noticeable ... But House
anything at an Indian
of India is one of those being
restaurant comes too spicy,
discovered by people other
D ANNY
just
pour a little yogurt on
than Indian aficionado cus-
RA SKIN
top
and
this will usually
tomers ... and in a quiet sort
Local Columnist
neutralize whatever spiciness
of way has vindicated a rea-
you don't want.
soning for expansion.
You
might
want to try a few side
House of India opened in 1995 as
orders
...
like
raita,
creamy yogurt gar-
just a one-store little Indian restaurant
papad,
nished
with
vegetables
($1)
taken
over
next
door.
... and has since-
crispy spiced lentil tortilla chip (50
This is another time when the say-
cents) ... or sweet and sour mango
ing about looks being deceiving holds
chutney (50 cents).
very true ... both outside and inside ...
Fresh ingredients at House of India
And this is still another instance
is a main key ... along with the subtly
where the only looks that are impor-
spiced preparations.
tant is what comes on the table.
AFTER TWO NAME changes ...
If you love those Indian specialty
this one is final ... and with all the
breads, and few don't, try the onion
kulcha (onion bread) with
grilled onions and cilantro
packed into pockets ... and
aloo paratha, wheat bread
stuffed with potatoes, is
delicious ... Both are fresh-
ly baked in House of
India's Tandoori clay oven.
Also from the clay oven
comes the big favorite of so
many people ... Tandoori
chicken marinated in
yogurt, Indian spices and
garnished with lemon juice
(half order $4.95; full order
$8.95) ... Chicken tikka
($6.95) and shrimp tikka
($8.95) too, both marinat-
ed in Indian spices.
Try the thole there, a
wonderful vegetarian dish
of chick peas cooked in
exotic Indian spices ($4.95)
or the aloo gobi, fresh cau-
liflower and potato cooked
with ginger and mild
Shirlee Bloom: Her food is still talked about.

DANNY RASKIN
Local Columnist

ro

L

2,01(2_70

D 177 7-1 ti

AUBURN HILLS

Lelli's of Auburn Hills, 885 Opdyke Road,
Auburn Hills, (248) 373-4440.The second of
Lelli's traditionally fine Italian ristorantes is
located across from the Pontiac Silverdome.
Besides elegant surroundings, it features the
same excellent food served by the Lelli family
since 1939. Reservations are accepted for any
evening except Saturday.

BERKLEY

Sila, 4033\N. 12 Mile Road, Berkley, (248)

548-3650.There is nothing like a consistently
dependable neighborhood family restaurant.
The Italian and American menu is one that
evokes much confidence in casual dining.The
chicken, ribs, round and square pizzas, fish,
salad, pasta, etc. are served seven days a week
for lunch and dinner. Everything is also avail-
able for carry-out.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS

Steve's Deli, 6646 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield
Hills, (248) 932-0800. Award-winning chicken
soup is featured.Also serving corned beef,
fresh roasted turkey, sandwiches, salads and
traditional dishes. Party trays and catering too
at this New York-style deli. Carnegie Deli
cheesecake and Steve's Brownies are among
the desserts.

DETROIT

Lelli's of Detroit, 7618 Woodward, Detroit,
(313) 871-1590. Lelli's has been an Italian
favorite since 1939, with traditional dishes
served daily.The varied menus of Italian spe-
cialties provide regular and light presentations
by the Lelli family.

FARMINGTON HILLS

Desert Sands, 29222 Orchard Lake Road,
Farmington Hills, (248) 855-1 I 22. Middle-
Eastern dining is featured by Hassan Bazzi,
former maitre d' at the Original Sheik in
downtown Detroit. Daily specials at lunch
and dinner. Full menu carryout with catering
available. Complete liquor service.

Intelligent Chicken, 32431 Northwestern
Hwy., Farmington Hills, (248)855-4455.The
wide variety of specialty items are together
with a complete menu of charbroiled or rotis-
serie chicken for both dining in the 40-seater
area, and carry-out, 7 days a week. Soups, chili,
salads and side dishes are homemade.Also
homemade are the popular cookies and
brownies.

Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum,

31005 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills.
(248) 626-5020. One magazine said that there
was no place like. it in the country.The
Guinness Book of Records has featured its
accomplishments. Lunch and snacks are avail-
able with table seating amidst video games,
antiques, nostalgic posters, flying miniature air-
planes, entertainment attractions, pinball
machines, etc. It is open seven days a week.

Vineyards Cafe & Catering, 32418

Northwestern Hwy., Farmington Hills, (248)
855-9463.This is a many-faceted type of
operation. Nibbles and Nuts at the Vineyards,
and traditional Jewish dishes prepared by

DINING GUIDE

on page 98

